Definition of Bullying

1. University of the Armed Forces ESPE
Interactive Activity
Group N°1
Members:
Andrea Estefanía Alvear Aranha
Andrea Estefanía Carrera Gallardo
Understanding Bullying

2. Bullying is a repetitive behavior that
commonly involves an unequal relationship
between the initiator and the target. This
may occur because of physical or social
differences among the people involved.
Bullying has to do with the intention of a
person(initiator) to harm another
one(target) in two main aspects:
psychological and physical.

3. Bullying is a behavior commonly influenced by the
actions and values of peer groups, schools, families,
and communities.
Bullying can be covert or overt in nature
and should be differentiated from other
forms of aggressive behavior such as sexual
abuse or physical violence.
Usually, bullying behavior involves rewards
for the initiators, which increases their
social status and lowers the one of their
target.

4. Bullying can occur in the physical and digital
world. It includes verbal, social, and physical
bullying.
All these types of bullying can be overt (direct or
easily observed) or covert (hidden or less easily to
observe).

5. This type of bullying behavior is enabled, enhanced
and mediated by digital technology. Digital technology plays an important role in
young people’s life, which makes it a medium for
other types of bullying (physical, verbal, and
social).

6. Since young people find it easy to use technology and due to
the influence of their peers, they are more motivated to
participate in cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying allows initiators to spread messages
or emails easily, maintain their anonymity, and
harm people they have never met.
Some examples of cyberbullying are the following:
sending abusive messages, posting negative images in
social networking sites, forming bullying groups, etc.

9. Bullying affects the whole school community.
It causes negative effects on students’ health,
wellbeing, and learning.
Bullying affects initiators, target, and those
who witness it.
Depression, anxiety, demotivation to go school, physical and mental
health outcomes, and increased risk of suicide are some of the effects of
bullying.

10. Bullying can occur with students of any age
and is experienced by both primary and
secondary school students.
The Youth 2000 survey in New Zealand
found 15% of same/ both-sex attracted
students reported being bullied at school
weekly or more in the past year, compared
with 5.5% opposite-sex attracted students.

12. The best way to find out how safe students
feel in school is to ask them directly,
preferably through an anonymous survey.
Results of regular surveys can be used to
assess the effectiveness of a school’s bullying
policy over time.

13. • Bullying behavior
occurs in a range
of settings : visible
and hidden
• It can occur in areas such as hallways,
bathrooms, classrooms, meeting places, in the
playground, in the wider school grounds, in
text messages and in the online environment.
• A school’s
physical
environment can
be a factor in
reducing bullying.

14. Bullying behavior involves three parties:
Initiators
(those doing the bullying)
• Often do it to gain status and
recognition from their peers.
• Their behavior is reinforced
when they intimidate the targets
and when the peer group
colludes by not challenging them
or reporting the situation.

15. Targets
(those being bullied)
For many reasons including:
• Being unassertive or withdrawn
• Differing from the majority culture of a
school in terms of ethnicity, cultural or
religious background, sexual orientation,
gender identity or socio-economic status.
• Having a disability
• Academic Achievement
• Having recently transitioned into a school
Bystanders
(those who witness the bullying)
They can have a powerful effect
o either encouraging or
inhibiting bullying behavior.
Three main types:
• Followers (assistants) : do not
initiate but have an active
role
• Supporters (reinforcers):
support the behavior but not
take an active role
• Defenders: Dislike the
bullying and try to help the
target.