title: Teaching prevention on sensitive topics: key elements and pedagogical techniques.
abstract: This paper presents a set of topical and pedagogical considerations for instructors teaching material on sensitive topics with either the primary or secondary aim of addressing prevention. Prevention can be approached as an effort to create changes in an individual's attitudes/beliefs, knowledge, and behavior. Following this framework, classroom content that challenges students' perceptions, preconceived notions, and attitudes can be seen as preventive in nature. Preparing students to work through the same layers of complexity that thoroughly trained and experienced researchers and practitioners struggle with requires particular attention to the classroom environment.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Worcester State College, Worcester, MA, 01602, USA. beth.russell@worcester.edu
authors.forename: Beth S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: Champika K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Soysa
authors.forename: Marc J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wagoner
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dawson
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017145:Models, Educational; D011322:Primary Prevention; D012945:Social Values; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*