NCJ Number
154545
Journal
School Safety Update Dated: (May 1994) Pages: 1-8
Editor(s)
J L Arnette
Date Published
1994
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Based on a review of the research literature, this article describes characteristics of victims of bullying in the school environment, profiles of typical school bullies, and effective school intervention.
Abstract
A clear picture of both the typical victims and the typical bullies has emerged from research. Typical victims are more anxious and insecure than students in general. Further, they are often cautious, sensitive, and quiet. When attacked by other students, victims commonly react by crying, at least in the lower grades, and by withdrawal. Victims also suffer from low self- esteem. Victims are often lonely and abandoned at school. A distinctive characteristic of typical bullies is their aggression toward peers, but bullies are often aggressive toward adults as well. Generally, bullies have a more positive attitude toward violence and the use of violent means than do students in general. Further, they are often characterized by impulsivity and a strong need to dominate others. They express little empathy for victims. Male bullies are likely to be physically stronger than boys in general and victims in particular. Too little love and care, combined with too much freedom in childhood, are conditions that contribute to the development of an aggressive reaction pattern associated with bullies. A school-based intervention program has been developed and evaluated in connection with the campaign against bully/victim problems in Norwegian schools. The program is based on an authoritative adult-child interaction or child-rearing model in which the adults are encouraged to take responsibility for the children's total situation.