Our site makes the results of scientific research on NVC accessible, with an in-depth analysis of its biases and limitations. We popularize the studies for the general public, to promote informed and constructive dialogue.
The scientific experiment and Nonviolent Communication
The founder of experimental medicine, Claude Bernard, insisted on the importance of distinguishing between observations and interpretations. A century later, Marshall Rosenberg promoted this principle in the non-scientific context of non-violent communication (NVC).
It is extremely difficult to observe the world without mixing our perception with automatic interpretations, such as unconscious inferences, cognitive biases, beliefs and projections… Our perception imposes itself on us with an obviousness that does not spontaneously allow us to distinguish between the reality of the world and what we perceive of it through our observations. And yet, the scientific project is all about putting appearances to the test in order to distinguish between belief and knowledge. This doesn’t mean that scientific knowledge is immutable and set in stone – all scientific truth is subject to change – but it does imply that it is the result of systematic, congruent testing.
In order to overcome these difficulties and propose a rigorous approach to the living world, Claude Bernard founded the method of experimental medicine, which proceeds in stages:
An Observation is used to formulate a Hypothesis.
The Hypothesis allows us to propose an experiment.
The Experiment provides results.
Observed results must be interpreted.
Interpretations lead to conclusions.
Conclusions allow hypotheses and theories to evolve.
Beyond the obvious and their appearances, the role of science is to seek objective arguments to verify the extent to which our observations reflect reality. Scientists and NVC agree with many others that we don’t have access to reality. To get closer to it, the experimental approach does not rely on appearances (see cognitive bias) and consists in questioning our observations by putting them to the test. It therefore aims to challenge the evidence of appearances and the causal inferences we spontaneously formulate.
« As for recording the results of the experiment, (…),
I also assume that this must be done
as in any other observation,
that is, without preconceived ideas »
Claude Bernard
Nonviolent communication is an approach to relationships with oneself and with others that is enjoying spectacular international growth, with the number of trainers and trainees rising in line with the enthusiasm and hope it inspires. The aim of this site is to present the state of scientific knowledge concerning Non-Violent Communication by listing existing works and proposing a regularly updated list.
In fact, we find it remarkable that the experimental approach pioneered by Claude Bernard can be so closely compared to that of Marshall Rosenberg. The following quotation could just as easily be applied to the scientific approach as to the posture proposed by NVC… For it is the dialectic between observation and interpretation that underpins our knowledge of the world and of others!
« NVC does not, however, impose perfect objectivity free of all judgment. It’s simply a matter of separating our observations from our assessments. In this respect, NVC is a dynamic language that rules out fixed generalizations and instead invites us to base our assessments on observations that correspond to a given moment and context. »
Marshall Rosenberg
« The history of non-violence is a short one, and in order to keep it growing, we need to define its limits. »
Alexandre Foncelle