Marshall Rosenberg
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Marshall Bertram Rosenberg (October 6, 1934February 7, 2015) was an American
psychologist A psychologist is a professional who practices psychology and studies mental states, perceptual, cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior. Their work often involves the experimentation, observation, and explanation, interpretatio ...
, mediator, author and teacher. Starting in the early 1960s, he developed nonviolent communication, a process for supporting partnership and resolving conflict within people, relationships, and society. He worked worldwide as a peacemaker, and in 1984 founded the Center for Nonviolent Communication, an international
nonprofit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...
for which he served as Director of Educational Services. Marshall Rosenberg's motivation for developing nonviolent communication was based on his own experiences at the Detroit race riot of 1943, as well as the
antisemitism Antisemitism or Jew-hatred is hostility to, prejudice towards, or discrimination against Jews. A person who harbours it is called an antisemite. Whether antisemitism is considered a form of racism depends on the school of thought. Antisemi ...
that he experienced in his early life.


Family

Rosenberg was born in
Canton, Ohio Canton () is a city in Stark County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of cities in Ohio, eighth-most populous city in Ohio, with a population of 70,872 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. The Canton–Massillo ...
, to
Jewish Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of History of ancient Israel and Judah, ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, rel ...
parents. His parents were Jean () Rosenberg and Fred Donald Rosenberg. Rosenberg's maternal grandmother, Anna Satovsky Wiener, had nine children. His grandfather worked at Packard Motor Car Company and his grandmother taught workers' children to dance. Wiener spent her final years living with ALS with the Rosenbergs, and Rosenberg credits his family's compassionate care for Wiener during the period in his later work. In
Steubenville, Ohio Steubenville ( ) is a city in Jefferson County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. Located along the Ohio River west of Pittsburgh, it had a population of 18,161 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. The Weirton–Steubenville m ...
, Rosenberg's father loaded trucks with wholesale grocery stock, and Rosenberg himself went to a three-room school. Jean Rosenberg was a professional bowler with tournaments five nights per week. She was also a gambler with high-stakes backers. His parents divorced twice: once when Rosenberg was three and again when he left home. The family moved to
Detroit Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...
, Michigan, one week before the Detroit race riot of 1943 in which 34 people were killed and 433 wounded. At an inner-city school, Rosenberg discovered
anti-Semitism Antisemitism or Jew-hatred is hostility to, prejudice towards, or discrimination against Jews. A person who harbours it is called an antisemite. Whether antisemitism is considered a form of racism depends on the school of thought. Antisemi ...
and internalized it. Rosenberg married his first wife, Vivian, in 1961. They had three children. In 1974, he married his second wife, Gloria, whom he divorced in 1999. He married his third wife, Valentina (a.k.a. Kidini) in 2005, with whom he remained until his death in 2015.


Education

At age 13 Rosenberg began Hebrew school but got expelled. Twice his father beat him, once so badly he missed school the next day. After Rosenberg's father bought a house in a better neighborhood, Rosenberg attended Cooley High School and graduated in 1952 as
valedictorian Valedictorian is an academic title for the class rank, highest-performing student of a graduation, graduating class of an academic institution in the United States. The valedictorian is generally determined by an academic institution's grade poin ...
. When considering medicine as a career, Rosenberg worked with an embalmer for a while to measure his interest in the human body. Rosenberg's first college was
Wayne State University Wayne State University (WSU) is a public university, public research university in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1868, Wayne State consists of 13 schools and colleges offering approximately 375 programs. It is Michigan's third-l ...
. He then entered the
University of Michigan The University of Michigan (U-M, U of M, or Michigan) is a public university, public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1817, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. The University of Mi ...
, and he worked as a waiter at a sorority and a cook's help at a fraternity. Putting up with
anti-Semitism Antisemitism or Jew-hatred is hostility to, prejudice towards, or discrimination against Jews. A person who harbours it is called an antisemite. Whether antisemitism is considered a form of racism depends on the school of thought. Antisemi ...
, he graduated in three years. The State of Wisconsin paid for Rosenberg's training as a
psychologist A psychologist is a professional who practices psychology and studies mental states, perceptual, cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior. Their work often involves the experimentation, observation, and explanation, interpretatio ...
. Professor Michael Hakeem taught Rosenberg that psychology and psychiatry were dangerous, since scientific and value judgments were mixed in the fields. Hakeem also had Rosenberg read about traditional moral therapy in which clients were seen as down on their luck rather than sick. Rosenberg was influenced by the 1961 books '' The Myth of Mental Illness'' by
Thomas Szasz Thomas Stephen Szasz ( ; ; 15 April 1920 – 8 September 2012) was a Hungarian-American academic and psychiatrist. He served for most of his career as professor of psychiatry at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University. A dis ...
and '' Asylums'' by
Erving Goffman Erving Goffman (11 June 1922 – 19 November 1982) was a Canadian-born American sociologist, social psychologist, and writer, considered by some "the most influential American sociologist of the twentieth century". In 2007, '' The Time ...
. He also remembered reading
Albert Bandura Albert Bandura (4 December 1925 – 26 July 2021) was a Canadian-American psychologist and professor of social science in psychology at Stanford University, who contributed to the fields of education and to the fields of psychology, e.g. social ...
on "Psychotherapy as a learning process". Rosenberg's practicum placements were the Wisconsin Diagnostic Center, schools for delinquent girls and boys, and Mendota State Hospital. There, psychiatrist Bernie Banham "would never have it where we would talk about a client in his absence". In Mendota, Rosenberg began to practice
family therapy Family therapy (also referred to as family counseling, family systems therapy, marriage and family therapy, couple and family therapy) is a branch of psychotherapy focused on families and couples in intimate relationships to nurture change and ...
with all parties present, including children. After graduation, Rosenberg worked in Winnebago with Gordon Filmer-Bennett for a year to fulfill his obligation to the state for his graduate training.


Practice

In 1961, Rosenberg received his Ph.D. in
clinical psychology Clinical psychology is an integration of human science, behavioral science, theory, and clinical knowledge for the purpose of understanding, preventing, and relieving psychologically-based distress or dysfunction and to promote subjective well ...
from the
University of Wisconsin–Madison The University of Wisconsin–Madison (University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin, UW, UW–Madison, or simply Madison) is a public land-grant research university in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. It was founded in 1848 when Wisconsin achieved st ...
, where he studied under
Carl Rogers Carl Ransom Rogers (January 8, 1902 – February 4, 1987) was an American psychologist who was one of the founders of humanistic psychology and was known especially for his person-centered psychotherapy. Rogers is widely considered one of the f ...
. His dissertation, ''Situational Structure and Self-evaluation'', prefigured certain key aspects of his later work with nonviolent communication by focusing on "the relationship between (the) structure of social situations and two dimensions of self evaluation; positive self evaluation and certainty of self evaluation". In 1966 he was awarded Diplomate status in clinical psychology from the American Board of Examiners in Professional Psychology. Rosenberg started out in clinical practice in
Saint Louis, Missouri St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a populatio ...
, forming Psychological Associates with partners. In making an analysis of problems of children in school, he found
learning disabilities Learning disability, learning disorder, or learning difficulty (British English) is a condition in the brain that causes difficulties comprehending or processing information and can be caused by several different factors. Given the "difficulty ...
. He wrote his first book, ''Diagnostic Teaching'', in 1968, reporting his findings. He also met Al Chappelle, a leader in the Zulu 1200s, a black liberation group in St. Louis. Rosenberg went to teach his approach to conflict resolution to the group in exchange for Chappelle appearing at desegregation conventions, starting in Washington, D.C. While Chappelle was harnessing communication against
racism Racism is the belief that groups of humans possess different behavioral traits corresponding to inherited attributes and can be divided based on the superiority of one Race (human categorization), race or ethnicity over another. It may also me ...
, Vicki Legion began to collaborate to counter
sexism Sexism is prejudice or discrimination based on one's sex or gender. Sexism can affect anyone, but primarily affects women and girls. It has been linked to gender roles and stereotypes, and may include the belief that one sex or gender is int ...
. "I started to give my services, instead of to individual affluent clients, to people on the firing line like Al and Vicki, and others fighting in behalf of human rights of various groups." The superintendent of schools, Thomas Shaheen, in
Rockford, Illinois Rockford is a city in Winnebago County, Illinois, Winnebago and Ogle County, Illinois, Ogle counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. Located in far northern Illinois on the banks of the Rock River (Mississippi River tributary), Rock River, Rockfor ...
called upon Rosenberg to deal with conflicts in an
alternative school An alternative school is an educational establishment with a curriculum and methods that are nontraditional. Such schools offer a wide range of philosophies and teaching methods; some have political, scholarly, or philosophical orientations, wh ...
that was established. In 1970 Shaheen became superintendent of schools in
San Francisco, California San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is a commercial, Financial District, San Francisco, financial, and Culture of San Francisco, cultural center of Northern California. With a population of 827,526 residents as of ...
and was charged with racially integrating the city's schools. He called on Rosenberg to help as before and Rosenberg organized a group but Shaheen was dismissed before it could come into action. Rosenberg decided to stay in California and promoted the Community Council for Mutual Education with the help of Vicki Legion. He worked for four years in
Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk ( ) is an independent city (United States), independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. It had a population of 238,005 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the List of cities in Virginia, third-most populous city ...
's school integration. Rosenberg was called to many states, countries, and conflicts to provide his expertise in nonviolent communication. In 2004 he was visiting about 35 countries per year on his mission as a travelling peacemaker. From his home base at
Albuquerque Albuquerque ( ; ), also known as ABQ, Burque, the Duke City, and in the past 'the Q', is the List of municipalities in New Mexico, most populous city in the U.S. state of New Mexico, and the county seat of Bernalillo County, New Mexico, Bernal ...
, Rosenberg supported his followers elsewhere with a Center of Nonviolent Communication in
New Mexico New Mexico is a state in the Southwestern United States, Southwestern region of the United States. It is one of the Mountain States of the southern Rocky Mountains, sharing the Four Corners region with Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. It also ...
. He died at home on February 7, 2015.


See also

*
List of peace activists This list of peace activists includes people who have proactively advocated Diplomacy, diplomatic, philosophical, and non-military resolution of major territorial or ideological disputes through nonviolent means and methods. Peace activists usua ...


Awards

* 2014: Hero and Champion of Forgiveness Awar
Worldwide Forgiveness Alliance
* 2006

* 2005: Light of God Expressing in Society Award from th
Association of Unity Churches
* 2004: Religious Science International Golden Works Award * 2004: International Peace Prayer Day Man of Peace Award by th
Healthy, Happy Holy (3HO) Organization
* 2002: Princess Anne of England and Chief of Police Restorative Justice Appreciation Award * 2000: International Listening Association Listener of the Year Award


Bibliography

* (2015) ''Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life.'' (264 pages) Third Edition. Encinitas, CA: PuddleDancer Press. * (2012) ''Living Nonviolent Communication: Practical Tools to Connect and Communicate Skillfully in Every Situation.'' (288 pages; compilation of prior short works) Sounds True. * (2005) ''Being Me, Loving You: A Practical Guide to Extraordinary Relationships.'' (80 pages) * (2005) ''Practical Spirituality: The Spiritual Basis of Nonviolent Communication.'' (32 pages) * (2005) ''Speak Peace in a World of Conflict: What You Say Next Will Change Your World.'' (240 pages) Encinitas, CA: PuddleDancer Press. * (2005) ''The Surprising Purpose of Anger: Beyond Anger Management: Finding the Gift.'' (48 pages) * (2004) ''Getting Past the Pain Between Us: Healing and Reconciliation Without Compromise.'' (48 pages) * (2004) ''The Heart of Social Change: How to Make a Difference in Your World.'' (45 pages) * (2004) ''Raising Children Compassionately: Parenting the Nonviolent Communication Way.'' (48 pages) * (2004) ''Teaching Children Compassionately: How Students and Teachers Can Succeed with Mutual Understanding'' (41 pages) * (2004) ''We Can Work It Out: Resolving Conflicts Peacefully and Powerfully.'' (32 pages) * (2003) ''Life-Enriching Education: NVC Helps Schools Improve Performance, Reduce Conflict and Enhance Relationships.'' (192 pages) Encinitas, CA: PuddleDancer Press. * (2003) ''Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life.'' (222 pages) Second Edition. Encinitas, CA: PuddleDancer Press. * (2003) ''Speaking Peace: Connecting with Others Through Nonviolent Communication.'' (audiobook) * (1999) ''Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Compassion.'' (166 pages) First Edition. Encinitas, CA: PuddleDancer Press. * (1986) ''Duck Tales and Jackal Taming Hints.'' Booklet. (Out of Print) * (1983) ''A Model for Nonviolent Communication.'' (35 pages) Philadelphia, PA: New Society Publishers. * (1976) ''From Now On.'' (149 pages) Community Psychological Consultants Inc., St. Louis, MO. * (1972) ''A Manual for "Responsible" Thinking and Communicating.'' (55 pages) St. Lois, MI: Community Psychological Consultants * (1972) ''Mutual Education: Toward Autonomy and Interdependence.'' Bernie Straub Publishing Co. (Out of Print) * (1968) ''Diagnostic Teaching'' Special Child Publications (Out of Print)


References


External links


Big Picture TV
Free video clip of Marshall Rosenberg discussing nonviolent communication * about nonviolent communication in close relationships
PuddleDancer Press: the main publisher of nonviolent communication-related works

Vintage 1993 video of a Dr. Marshall Rosenberg TV appearance in Tucson, Arizona


Excerpt from the book ''Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life''
Wiki for Nonviolent Communication

The Center for Nonviolent Communication
Making the World a More Compassionate Place Through Nonviolent Communication
Marshall Rosenberg Library

Marshall Rosenberg video clips on youtube

TruceWorks
A conflict resolution website influenced by his nonviolent communication theory * {{DEFAULTSORT:Rosenberg, Marshall 1934 births 2015 deaths 20th-century American Jews 20th-century American psychologists Jewish anti-war activists American nonviolence advocates University of Michigan alumni University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni Cooley High School alumni 21st-century American Jews