Bullying: How to Recognize &

Prevent theHarassment of Students in

Schools

What Do We Think About Bullying?

• When I think back on student bullying and teasing when I was in school, it makes me think of…

• Compared to back then, student bullying and teasing today in schools is…

• Based on recent incidents in the news about bullying and teasing, I think...

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Who are the Victims of Bullying?

Bullying Definition Components

• Aggressive behavior that intends to cause harm or distress

• Is repeated over time

• Occurs in a relationship where there is an imbalance of power or strength

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Definition of Bullying

Bullying among children is commonly defined as intentional, repeated hurtful acts, words or behavior such as name-calling, threatening and/or shunning committed by one or more children against another. The victims do not intentionally provoke these negative acts, and for such acts to be defined as bullying, an imbalance of real or perceived power must exist between the bully and the victim.

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Why focus on Bullying?

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• Short and long-term effects on victims

• Concern about students who bully

• Impact on bystanders

• Effect on school social climate

Bullying Affects the Total School Climate

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• It interferes with student learning

• It creates a climate of fear and disrespect

• Students may perceive lack of control/caring

TRUE or FALSE?

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___ 1. Bullying is just a part of growing up. The effects of bullying on victims are short-term and minor.

TRUE or FALSE?

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F 1. Bullying is just a part of growing up. The effects of bullying on victims are short-term and minor.

In addition to the social, emotional, and physical torment of the actual bullying experience, victims are also more likely than non-victims to suffer from physical illnesses, academic troubles, and enduring mental health problems.

TRUE or FALSE?

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2. Bullying is not a serious problem for the bullies; they eventually grow out of this behavior.

TRUE or FALSE?

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F 2. Bullying is not a serious problem for the bullies; they eventually grow out of this behavior.

Studies have established a strong correlation between bullying other students during the school years and experiencing anti-social and criminal behavior, with a stronger tendency toward violence, as adults.

TRUE or FALSE?

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3. Most bullying occurs in high school because older students are more confident and willing to pick on others.

TRUE or FALSE?

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F 3. Most bullying occurs in high school because older students are more confident and willing to pick on others.

Some studies indicate that bullying is most prevalent during the elementary school years, while other studies indicate that it increases and peaks during the middle school years. However, it is clear that bullying – though certainly present in high school – is more prevalent among younger students.

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Direct Bullying Indirect Bullying• Physical: hitting, kicking,

shoving, spitting

• Verbal: taunting, teasing, degrading, racial or sexual comments

• Non-Verbal: threatening, obscene gestures

• Physical: getting another person to assault someone

• Verbal: spreading rumors; use internet to indirectly taunt or disparage; rally others to join the bullying

• Non-Verbal: deliberate exclusion from a group or activity; cyber-bullying

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TRUE or FALSE?

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4. Bullying is usually verbal, not physical, in nature.

TRUE or FALSE?

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T 4. Bullying is usually verbal, not physical, in nature.

While bullying can be physical, verbal, emotional, or sexual in nature, verbal bullying – including name-calling – is the most common form.

TRUE or FALSE?

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5. Girls bully just as much as boys; they just do it differently.

TRUE or FALSE?

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F 5. Girls bully just as much as boys; they just do it differently.

Statistically, boys are more likely to bully other students than girls, but the way boys and girls bully tends to be different. Boys tend to be more physical and verbal, while girls tend to be more relational (i.e., orchestrating social alienation of a singled out student).

TRUE or FALSE?

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6. Most students who observe bullying don’t think they should get involved.

TRUE or FALSE?

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F 6. Most students who observe bullying don’t think they should get involved.

In fact, most bystanders want to do the right thing, but they’re not sure what to do or may be frightened to intervene.

- 38% think they should do nothing because it is none of their business.

- 27% say they don’t do anything but they think they should.

- 35% of students say they try to help the victim.

Gender Differences Related to Bullying Behavior

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• Boys tend to bully/harass with physical or verbal aggression.

• Girls tend to bully/harass with social aggression.

• Boys who bully tend to be 1 – 2 years older than their victims. Their victims can be either boys or girls.

• Girls who bully tend to target other girls who are the same age.

• Girls are more likely to be bullied by a group.

• Girls are more likely to involve both boys and girls in their bullying pursuits against the victim.

• Boys identify their behaviors as bullying more often than girls.

Bullying affects everyone…

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The Victim

The Bystanders

The Bully

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Passive Victims Provocative Victims

• Are the most common type of victims, easy to identify

• Lack social skills• Cry easily• Lack the ability to use humor to

defuse conflict• May be lonely and depressed• Yield easily to bullying• Are likely to be anxious and

insecure• Are unable to defend themselves

• Comprise a much smaller group, are often difficult to recognize as victims

• Are restless children who irritate and tease others and don’t know when to stop

• Fight back in bullying situations but end up losing

• Are easily emotionally aroused• Tend to maintain the conflict and

lose with frustration and distress• Often try to make others feel

they deserve to be bullied

Two Types of Bullying Victims

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MildModerate

Severe

Fear; anxiety; self-doubt

Avoidance behaviors; change in personality; low self-esteem

Effects of Bullying on Victims

Isolation from peers; trouble sleeping; impact on school work; loss of interest in hobbies or social behavior

Depression; consuming fear; sense of alienation; physical illness; suicidal thoughts

Violence toward self- or others

Bystanders• Make up 85% of school population “silent majority”

• Become desensitized to the bullying over time

• Why don’t bystanders get involved?

– Fear of retaliation

– Don’t know what to do

– Afraid they’ll make things worse

– Worry about losing social status

– Don’t believe that adults will help26

Bystanders may…• Feel it’s none of their business

• Feel afraid, e.g., for personal safety

• Feel powerless to change things

• Feel guilty

• Feel diminished empathy for victims

• Join in on the bullying (watch, cheer)

• In some cases, be “henchmen” for the bully

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Considering Bullies and Their Behavior

• Bullies have low self-esteem. Their behavior satisfies their self-esteem and they are not likely to stop bullying on their own

• The behavior may be part of or lead to a conduct-disordered behavior pattern

• This pattern may continue into adulthood and take shape in various relationships (e.g., asocial behavior, domestic violence)

• Bullies are 4 times more likely than non-bullies to have 3 or more convictions by age 24

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What Do Experts Say About Bullying?

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Bullying in Our SchoolsABC News

Dr. William Pollack

TRUE or FALSE?

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7. Bullies don’t usually pick on passive students; instead, they bully in response to some sort of provocation from their victims.

TRUE or FALSE?

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F 7. Bullies don’t usually pick on passive students; instead, they bully in response to some sort of provocation from their victims.

Only 10-15% of victims actually provoke bullies into action. 85-90% of victims are passive, with many not even reporting that they have been bullied. The fact that so many victims have done nothing to provoke the bullying makes it even more difficult for the victim to understand – it feels even more random, unpredictable, and unfair.

TRUE or FALSE?

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8. A bully usually attacks when no one else is watching.

TRUE or FALSE?

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F 8. A bully usually attacks when no one else is watching.

Because the bully wants to feel powerful, he/she almost always bullies a victim in front of others to impress or intimidate. Other students are frequently watching as bystanders during most bullying incidents. In contrast, adults — such as teachers and parents — rarely observe bullies victimizing others.

TRUE or FALSE?

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9. Most bullying happens at school.

TRUE or FALSE?

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T 9. Most bullying happens at school.

Bullying most often occurs in and around schools — specifically in those areas where there is little or no adult supervision (e.g., playground, hallways, cafeteria, classroom before the lesson begins). This requires active supervision of students, especially when they are between classes, in cafeteria, on the playground or in the hallways.

TRUE or FALSE?

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10. If students would just fight back, then bullies would leave them alone.

TRUE or FALSE?

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F 10. If students would just fight back, then bullies would leave them alone.

Fighting back is likely to escalate a bullying situation. In other words, it can lead to more aggression and possibly serious injury. Bullies usually try to unnerve and provoke others — so fighting back just gives them what they want. Fighting back by the victim can also serve to justify the bully’s actions.

Understanding Bullying in Schools & What We Can Do About It

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In groups of four, each person reads one of the following articles: • Myths About Bullying• Children Who Bully• The Scope & Impact of Bullying• How to Intervene & Stop Bullying: Tips for On-the-Spot Intervention at SchoolThen each person summarizes key ideas to the rest of the group

What Can We Do in Our Schools?• Insist on respectful interactions between students & show

students that you care about them.• Reinforce positive behaviors by bringing attention to acts

of kindness. • Be firm with students: “We don’t use that language or

behave that way toward others in this school.”• Look for signs of student distress:

– Avoidance of others– Changes in personality or mood– Distracted from school work– Fear of being alone

• If you see something, say something: Bring any concern to the attention of an administrator. 39

Who are the Victims of Bullying?

Bullying Circle

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(Olweus)

THE BULLYING CIRCLE: STUDENTS’ MODES OF REACTION/ROLES IN AN ACUTE BULLYING SITUATION