NCJ Number
189339
Journal
Forum Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Dated: Summer 2001 Pages: 1,5,9
Date Published
2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This report reviews research that shows ridicule as a form of bullying can have devastating effects on the self-esteem of children and youth; suggestions are offered for countering such behavior.
Abstract
Ridicule is a variant of bullying behavior. It comes in many forms, including mocking, insults, and "humor" designed to make the person an object of scorn or derision. Insults can target a person's clothing, appearance, or personality, as well as demean family, race, gender, sexual orientation, or values. In the last decade, research has shown that the long-term effects of ridicule can be as damaging to victims as bullying behavior that involves physical aggression. Changing such behavior involves nurturing empathy for others and challenging their distorted thinking. The most effective means of preventing and changing ridiculing behavior is to create a caring community where it is unacceptable to hurt other people in any way. Although this may seem idealistic, concentrated interventions such as the Resolving Conflict Creatively Program (RCCP) have been shown to arrest trends in hostile thinking and aggression. Teacher ratings of RCCP show significant student gains in emotional control, prosocial behavior, and academic achievement (Aber, Brown, and Henrich, 1999; Lantieri, 2000). The curriculum can be downloaded at www.dont-laugh.org.