International Journal of Health Sciences and Research

Vol.10; Issue: 8; August 2020

Website: www.ijhsr.org
Short Communication ISSN: 2249-9571

Theoretical Perspective of Bullying

Krishna Kumari Paudel Subedi
PhD Scholar of Trivuwan University of Nepal and
Nursing Director of Manmohan Memorial Medical College and Teaching, Nepal

ABSTRACT

Background: School bullying has become a common phenomenon worldwide. A student or a group
of students may perform frequent aggressive behavior to a student or a group of students who cannot
defend at the time of bullying. Prior to understanding what bullying is one cannot step into
implementation of antibullying strategies. But the concept of bullying itself is so complex that, for the
conceptual understanding of the same, one must be well understood in its background theories. Hence,
it is consensus theoretical concept that some theoretical concept must be explored.
Methods: In This study, various sources such as published and/or unpublished web-based materials
were used in order to gather information regarding theoretical foundation of bullying. For preparing
this paper, materials were reviewed by using traditional or narrative literature review method. Scholar
is doing PHD in TU. This paper was also presented in seminar of Tribhuvan University (TU) as a
requirement of partial fulfillment of PHD.
Results: It is substantiated that bullying is viewing differently and people/institution have try to
manage using various approaches However, implementation of the various strategies to reduce
bullying have achieved only limited success. Therefore, understanding of the bullying from its root is
the most
Conclusion: Bullying is differently seen by different individual. In order to address issues of bullying
effectively, we must able to use multidimensional strategies. Different theoretical prospective
definitely provides clear cut picture and makes easy for implementation of the antibullying strategies

Keywords: School bullying, negative behavior, violent behavior

INTRODUCTION direct or indirect actions, repetition and

Dan Olweus who is known as unequal power. [6]
pioneer of bullying has defined bullying is School bullying is seemingly a
widely used. Bullying is a frequent global problem. Millions of school children
performing of negative behavior by a person have been the victims of bullying every
or group of persons to a person or group of year. A study reveals that Molestation of
persons with the intention of hurting them. schoolchildren by their own peers has
[1]
Simply, bullying can be defined as damaged not only their academic
repeated act of aggressive behavior of performance but also their health and it also
bullies to victim and bullying comprises stores up several long-lasting effects. [7]
abuse of power as well. [2] Truly, it is a Bullied children or victims are at risk for
subset of violent behavior along with mental disorder, adjustment problems and
intention of harm to victim. [3] Bullying does low self-esteem. [8] Researches reveal that
have three distinct characteristics: intention suicide is ranked as the third cause of death
to harm, repeated occurrence and possession among under- fourteen children. Similarly,
of unequal power between bullies and there is a strong association between
victims. [4] [5] Bullying consists of five suicides and bullying. [9] [10] In comparison
elements namely; intention to harm which is to non-bullying, adolescents who involve in
premeditated, negative outcome, it involves bullying have a greater risk of cruel and

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 Krishna Kumari Paudel Subedi. Theoretical perspective of bullying

criminal activities in adulthood. There is help to gauge how society or school is

higher rate of incidence and prevalence of associated to the extent of bullying behavior
anticipatory anxiety, depression, drug abuse, and what modified social and school
substance abuse, among students who are behavior can prevent school bullying.
used to involve in bullying than non-
bullying. [11] REVIEW
Similarly, findings of a study For preparing this paper, material
emphasized that disappointing aspect of related to theoretical perspectives of
bullying is not reported in most of the cases. bullying were searched and reviewed by
Many victims or even parents of them are using traditional or narrative literature
reluctant to share the problems pondering it review method. Because of its complexity in
as an annoying factor. Bullying hampers the nature, it requires in-depth understanding,
creative potential of the offspring and mutual effort of parents, teachers and
destroys the mental tranquillity of bullies, students to stop bullying in school. Here, I
victims and bystanders. [12] Keeping this would like to explore on concepts of
idea in consideration, it is anticipated that bullying from its roots via searching
there is a dire need to do in-depth common philosophical perspectives on
investigation in order to examine its bullying. Some of renowned theories of
magnitude of effects. Therefore, this paper bullying are: social cognition theory,
attempt to explore its prevalence, causes or dominance theory, humiliation theory,
risk factors and effects in order to dig out its social capita theory, organizational cultural
real status quo scenario of school settings. theory developmental theory, Theory of
Bullying is multifaceted issue which Response to Group and peer Pressure and
can be best understood with the lens of Theory of Restorative Justice.
various related theoretical links. Theories

Social cognition theory

Dominance Theory

Social Cultural Theory

Humiliation Theory
School Bullying

Developmental Theory

Peer Response
Theory

Organizational Theory
Organizational Theory

Theoretical Linkage of Bullying the person’s life. Children learn through

observation and imitation of other’s
Social Cognition Theory behaviors. Albert added that appreciated
Virtually, no one will just violence and unpunished aggressive
automatically turn out to be a bully. It must behavior are more prone to be copied and
have some rooted causes or risk factors in punished. Aggressions are less liable to be

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 Krishna Kumari Paudel Subedi. Theoretical perspective of bullying

imitated. Actually, human behaviors are the pro-social bystanders in bullying

established by reciprocal relationship of circumstances. Pro-social bystander is the
personal determinants, behavioral behavior that is instrumental to minimize
determinants and environmental school bullying. So, it is possible to
determinants. Learning by seeing is the decrease bullying by employing social
fundamental of social cognitive theory of capital gears that are related to school
bullying. [13] bullying. In their study, Jenkins& Fredrick
Dominance Theory of Bullying also highlighted that there were positive
This theory is discovered by association social capital access and Pro-
Sidanius and Pratto in 1999 as a social social bystanders. [19]
dominance theory [14] and later on Organization Cultural Theory
strengthened by Pellegrini et al in 2007. [15] It is universally acknowledged that
People engage in bullying others to get majority of bullying behaviors are learned
social status, available resources and to be or acquired from the community or the
popular in the society. For instance, in the society or even from the school. They are
class room some students may show bossy not merely inherited. Therefore, everybody
behavior expecting that others may venerate can assume that bullying school culture
them. In such case, they tend to create definitely influences to bidirectional traits; it
alliance with the bullies being leaders of can either promote or stop bullying
them. Furthermore, these types of group behavior. [20] Bullying behavior are
may initiate bullying to less powerful perceived that to have amputate school
students or group. Sometimes, people who environment. Parents and school members
have some leadership traits may use their were less willing to arbitrate to act on their
charisma and skill for dominance others as a behalf. Similarly, it was opined that an
tool of gaining social status or prestige and effort to minimize or stop bullying
establishing domination. [16] behaviors in school without changing school
Humiliation Theory culture would almost be impossible, [21]
Humiliation can be defined as act of Therefore, it is important to foster safe,
embarrassing or underestimating others. It collaborative and openly caring
usually occurs when a powerful person environment. It is especially crucial for
publicly discloses the meagreness of a school where small babies and teenagers
feeble person. It is therefore a prerequisite spend longer period of time than with their
factor to understand humiliation since its parents. Additionally, childhood is a highly
impact directly affects the victim as well as behavior influencing time period.
surrounding very badly. Humiliation can Developmental Theory
cause depression to victim. It curtails social The cognitive process of child
cohesion. It worsens entire environment of growth and development foregrounds the
the school. Actually, humiliation is so approach of Developmental Theory. This
powerful that it consists of putting others approach denotes that bullying arises from
down overpowering their self-esteem. As a the individuals' early childhood when they
matter of fact, humiliation violates the begin to state themselves at the spending of
principle of fundamental human rights of others in order to form their social
people being respected or dignified. [17] supremacy. At first, they tend to be so
Social Capital Theory powerful that they make an effort to
Social capital can be a resource that threaten others. [22] This approach stating
venerates the current and future welfare of that they begin to do less socially wrong
the children. [18] Children with higher social ways of controlling others in the beginning.
capital resources and mutual benefits are In the initial stage, verbal and indirect sorts
prone to be actively involved in bullying of bullying appear to be more common than
behaviors. On the other hand, they may be direct and physical ones. Nevertheless, the

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 Krishna Kumari Paudel Subedi. Theoretical perspective of bullying

views of Smith & Sharp are slightly understood as classically persistent by a

different to this view. They argue that joining with a group rather than by single
physical bullying becomes more prevalent individual motives such as personal bad
in early childhood and the bullying intention. This view assumes that bullying is
gradually turns into less obvious as children usually a group activity. In a previous study
become grown up. However, this opinion of bullying which was conducted by Olweus
fails to take into account as a general in Scandinavia using the term “mobbing", it
explanation of bullying. [4] Evidently, social symbolizes that students or children are
environmental influence must also be kept bullied by crowds or mobs. [1]
into consideration. Nonetheless, the The allegations for schools are that
developmental viewpoint is useful in they must be conscious of the starring role
providing supervision and guidance as to by a group or groups as different from
how bully and victim’s concerns can be individuals. Schools need to recognize the
solved. For example, elder children are groups and be accustomed to them.
believed to be more likely to retort Numerous methods have been concocted for
positively to problem-solving method which involving with groups of children who have
require a more sophisticated indebtedness of bullied others or are assumed of bullying
the possibilities offered to them. [23] others. “No blame approach" is one of the
Theory of Response to Group and peer popular ways which is suggested by Barbara
Pressure and George. [25] In this approach, teachers or
Bullying can also be explained from counselors are involved in gathering with
the lens of peer- pressure approach. It the group of the children recognized as
adheres that bullying is better having bullied somebody, in the group of
understandable in a societal background. some other children. When bullying
This approach is a kind of social framework behaviors are supported by peers whether it
where there is a broad social circumstance is directly or indirectly that is, encouraged
consisting of the activities and attitudes of the "bullies" to do more aggressively. On
members of the whole school community. the contrary, if the peers and others
Students and even other members including convince to bullies, it can be nasty since
teachers and supporting staff are observed social unaccepted behavior that bullies
as influenced to an extent by their initiate to behave is more benevolent
perceptions. This may be according school towards the victim.
philosophy, teacher’s behavior and support There is also an alternative method.
and student prosperity policies may be In general, it initiates the use of it with older
thoroughly directed to its progress. [24] children. It is the "method of shared
Similarly, students are strongly concern" that includes working initially with
influenced by a smaller group of their individuals. It is assumed of being in a
friends with whom they rely on to some group that is an intimidation of someone.
extent. These types groups are usually made Here, the aim of teacher is to talk his/her
within a school setting on the basis of their concern to the victim and ask them to come
common interests and aim. They may also near to bully and then monitor closely. It
create a threat to even the other students to helps them as quick as possible if there is
whom they bully. Circumstances commonly any chance of mis-happening.
ascend in a school in such way that other Theory of Restorative Justice
children are initiated to become members Restorative justice theory can be
and support to the group. Maybe the motive defined as a system of criminal
is just a protest or imagined protest, or to fairness/justice which emphasizes repairing
take revenge or simply a wish to have harm caused by criminal activities. At the
amusing at the cost of another individual. same time, the restoration of criminals is
Most importantly, the doings of bullying are done through reunion with victims and the

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society. It speaks out in the way that crime Review of several theories really provides
should be viewed more than just breaking an in-depth insight of bullying and its risk
the law in the society. This aims at creating factors of the person’s life as well as it
mediation between the bullies, victim, and makes easy for implementing antibullying
other concerned people. The goal is to strategies accordingly.
discuss for a resolution to the contentment
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