A Research Definition of Bullying
Dan Olweus, a Norwegian researcher, defines a
bullying: "A person is being bullied when he/she is exposed, repeatedly and
over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other persons.
Negative action is when a person intentionally inflicts injury or discomfort
upon another person, through physical contact, through words or in other
ways." Note that bullying is both overt and covert behaviors.
The following are examples of bullying behaviors.
Remember, bullying is a pattern of behavior that is repeated over time against
the same person(s) with a noted power differential.
1. Saying hurtful and unpleasant things
2. Making fun of others
3. Using mean and hurtful nicknames
4. Completely overlooking someone
5. Deliberately excluding someone from a group of
friends
6. Hitting, kicking, pulling hair, pushing or
shutting a person inside
7. Telling lies
8. Spreading false rumors
9. Sending mean notes
10. Trying to get other students to dislike
another person
NOTE: The literature suggests not labeling a
student as a bully or victim. Instead, call it bullying and/or victim behavior
that the student is exhibiting.
Direct bullying behaviors (overt) involve
behaviors that are observable and that are usually expressed by physical and
verbal means. Usually direct bullying involves relatively open attacks on a
victim and are “in front of your face” behaviors.
However, bullying behavior is not always hitting,
kicking, teasing, or name calling. Children who bully others may use
subversive acts that hurt just as much, but are harder to detect. Examples of
indirect bullying are leaving others out on purpose, spreading rumors to
destroy another’s reputation or getting others to dislike another person. This
is covert bullying or “behind your face” behaviors.
Bullying begins at an early age with students
demonstrating behaviors like biting, pinching or scratching. Teasing and
taunting may follow with glaring and staring. Shoving, pushing, and tripping
may ensue along with pestering and fighting. Boys may name call, steal lunch
money and threaten younger boys while girls may ignore and exclude others or
undermine friendships. Thus, bullying can start small and get out of hand
unless there is consistency with what is expected. Everyone should have the
same expectations and be on the same page.
If someone is being bullied at home, at play
and/or at school, the behavior should be reported to a trusted adult. The
information should be factual and, if possible, logged in a journal describing
the type of bullying, where and when it is happening, who is involved, and how
the victim reacts to the bullying. It is important to determine if the victim
is provocative. How the information is conveyed is very important.
Bullying is real. Columbine, VA Tech...
Ways
to fight this horrible and destructive behavior.
Steps Schools Can Take to Stop Bullying
School Administration
Establish school-wide behavior strategies that all teachers know about and
adhere to, including:
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• A clear, positive purpose
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• A set of positively stated expectations for prosocial behavior
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• Procedures for teaching school-wide expectations
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• A continuum of procedures for encouraging students to display expected
behaviors
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• A continuum of procedures for discouraging violations of school-wide
expectations
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• A method for monitoring implementation and effectiveness.
* Develop and implement clear policies and a system for taking reports of
bullying and harassment and following up on them.
Provide students and staff with access to a range of resources, including
professionals with expertise in intercultural and diversity-related counseling
and human relations.
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Instruct all school staff on the importance of bullying and provide training
in bullying prevention.
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Post staff throughout the school (and especially in “hot spots”) to detect and
report incidents of bullying.
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Develop programs to help those bullied as well as children who are engaging in
bullying.
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Develop an anti-bullying team, including teachers, parents, administrators,
and students.
Teachers :
Use class time to prevent bullying through class discussion, role playing,
examples from literature and history. Teach students the difference between
tattling and bullying. (Tattling is to get someone in trouble. Reporting is to
keep someone safe).
Teach students strategies to deal with bullying such as:
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• Teaching victims to be assertive and say, “That’s bullying.” If the bullying
continues, the child should report it.
• Teach bystanders how to respond, i.e., not joining in or offering support.
Reach out to all students, so students feel connected to school and school
personnel.
Cyberbullying
Discuss cyberbullying, i.e., what it is, it is important to take seriously,
the victim has done nothing wrong. Ensure students know to report
cyberbullying to a responsible adult. Provide information about how students
can protect themselves when using a chat room and other Web services. Provide
information about what to do if cyberbullying occurs: report it to a trusted
adult, keep and save messages, do not respond to the message, get cell phone
number changed, share phone and e-mail addresses only with trusted friends.
*From the Center for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support, George
Sugai and Robert Horner.