Restorative Justice in the Workplace Course Discussion: We would like to believe that all our coworkers are acting from a core set of shared moral behaviors. The reality is that we do not all have the same moral foundation. Watch the Ted Talk “The Neuroscience of Restorative Justice” by Dan Reisel, and share your thoughts about how restorative practices implemented in the workplace may change the brains (and behaviors) of some of our more difficult colleagues (the interplay of nature and nurture).
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Wonderful talk and very clearly presented. One idea that particularly stood out to me was the experiment with mice and how social isolation affected their behavior. It made me think about what happened during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. When many workplaces began bringing employees back into the office, there was a noticeable rise in interpersonal conflict. After long periods of isolation, many people had to relearn how to engage with others in everyday workplace interactions. In a sense, it seemed as though our socialization skills had weakened or atrophied and required rebuilding.
This observation connects with the broader point about how human behavior and empathy can be shaped by environment and experience. Research discussed in the talk suggests that the brain can develop or strengthen pathways related to empathy and moral reasoning through meaningful social interaction and reflection. In that sense, restorative justice practices can help individuals rebuild those relational capacities by creating structured opportunities for dialogue, accountability, and understanding.
The final takeaway about changing our own amygdala also stood out to me. I interpret this as a call for personal ownership and responsibility. Instead of only expecting others to change, we must also examine our own emotional responses and reactions to conflict. This perspective aligns closely with the principles of restorative justice, which emphasize voluntary participation, accountability, and a willingness from all parties to engage in the process of repair and understanding.