Did You Know?
“Bullying is not about anger . It is not a conflict to be resolved, it’s about contempt –a powerful feeling of dislike toward someone considered to be worthless, inferior or undeserving of respect. Contempt comes with three apparent psychological advantages that allow kids to harm others without feeling empathy, compassion or shame. These are: a sense of entitlement, that they have the right to hurt or control others, an intolerance towards difference, and a freedom to exclude, bar, isolate and segregate others” (Coloroso, 2004).
Bullying Can Take The Form Of...
repetitive oral assaults
name-calling
intimidation
spreading hateful rumors
hazing
social isolation
hitting
stealing
sexual harassment
physical or psychological intimidation"Two persons of approximately the same strength (physical or psychological)...fighting or quarreling’ is not bullying. “Rather, bullying entails repeated acts by someone perceived as physically or psychologically more powerful” (Sampson, 2002).
"Boys report more physical forms of bullying: girls tend to bully in indirect ways, such as gossiping and excluding” (Pepler et at., 1997).
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name-calling
intimidation
spreading hateful rumors
hazing
social isolation
hitting
stealing
sexual harassment
physical or psychological intimidation"Two persons of approximately the same strength (physical or psychological)...fighting or quarreling’ is not bullying. “Rather, bullying entails repeated acts by someone perceived as physically or psychologically more powerful” (Sampson, 2002).
"Boys report more physical forms of bullying: girls tend to bully in indirect ways, such as gossiping and excluding” (Pepler et at., 1997).
Click here for more information.
When Does It Start?
“Bullying behavior is prevalent throughout the world and it cuts across socio-economic, racial/ ethnic, and cultural lines. Researchers estimate that 20 to 30 percent of school-age children are involved in bullying incidents, as either perpetrators or victims. Bullying can begin as early as preschool and intensify during transitional stages, such as starting school in 1st grade or going into middle school” ("Bullying and teasing:,").
Why Does It Happen?
"Most bullying behavior develops in response to multiple factors in the environment-- at home, school and within the peer group. There is no one cause of bullying. Common contributing factors include:
Family factors:
Family factors:
- The frequency and severity of bullying is related to the amount of adult supervision that children receive--bullying behavior is reinforced when it has no or inconsistent consequences. Additionally, children who observe parents and siblings exhibiting bullying behavior, or who are themselves victims, are likely to develop bullying behaviors. When children receive negative messages or physical punishment at home, they tend to develop negative self concepts and expectations, and may therefore attack before they are attacked—bullying others gives them a sense of power and importance.
- Because school personnel often ignore bullying, children can be reinforced for intimidating others. Bullying also thrives in an environment where students are more likely to receive negative feedback and negative attention than in a positive school climate that fosters respect and sets high standards for interpersonal behavior.
- Children may interact in a school or neighborhood peer group that advocates, supports, or promotes bullying behavior. Some children may bully peers in an effort to “fit in,” even though they may be uncomfortable with the behavior “ (Cohn & Canter, 2003).
Who Are The Bullies?
- seem to need to feel in control or powerful
- perhaps have little empathy
- are possibly satisfied from inflicting injury on others
- may be connected to a home life of physical punishment
- generally opposed to adults
- appear to have strong self-esteem
- apt to breaking school rules
- "Bullies tend to be assertive and easily provoked They are attracted to situations with aggressive content and have positive attitudes about aggression” (Stephenson and Smith, 1989).
- "Bullies often come from homes that are neglectful and hostile and use harsh punishment. Bullying may be learned by observing high levels of conflict between parents. Care needs to be given so that they do not model bullying for their children” (Olweus,1993).
Who Are The Victims?
- tend to be shy
- anxious
- cautious
- often physically weaker
- low social skills
- poor self-esteem
- may be closely connected to a parent
- "Victims often keep their problems a secret: They feel they should handle bullying themselves; they worry about the bully’s revenge or other children’s disapproval: and/or they think that adults can do little to help them" (Garfalo et al., 1987) , (Olweus, 1991).
- "Many victims long for approval; even after being rejected, some continue to make ineffective attempts to interact with the victimizer” (Cohn & Canter, 2003).
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What Are The Consequences of Inaction?
Psychological or physical distress
Students being absent and distracted from schoolwork.
Victims may have low self esteem which can lead to future depression.
Students may bring weapons to school
Thoughts of suicide
(Sampson, 2002)
Students being absent and distracted from schoolwork.
Victims may have low self esteem which can lead to future depression.
Students may bring weapons to school
Thoughts of suicide
(Sampson, 2002)
Why Students Do Not Report Being Bullied:
“Studies also suggest that children do not believe that most teachers
intervene when told about bullying” (Sampson, 2002).
Being embarrassed that they cannot stand up for themselves
Worrying that they would not be believed that they are actually being bullied
Scared the teacher would tell the bully who told on him
Getting the parents worried
The child does not want to get his/her parents worried
(Sampson, 2002)
"Bullying is often hidden from teachers. Teachers’ lack of awareness is evident in
playground observations in which teachers intervened to stop only one in
twenty-five (4%) of the bullying episodes" (Craig and Pepler, 1997).
Click here for more information.
intervene when told about bullying” (Sampson, 2002).
Being embarrassed that they cannot stand up for themselves
Worrying that they would not be believed that they are actually being bullied
Scared the teacher would tell the bully who told on him
Getting the parents worried
The child does not want to get his/her parents worried
(Sampson, 2002)
"Bullying is often hidden from teachers. Teachers’ lack of awareness is evident in
playground observations in which teachers intervened to stop only one in
twenty-five (4%) of the bullying episodes" (Craig and Pepler, 1997).
Click here for more information.
Assessment:
In assigning students the task of creating an informational website, assessment can be conducted by:
-Having students explain why they made the categories they did and why they included the content that they did
-Having students express why certain quotes were chosen over others
-Having students show why the order of their content matters
-Push students through whole class discussion to connect the content towards the greater goal of the assignment
-Evaluating their use of citing sources
