Bullying

While most people tend to socially interact and play in a positive manner, some individuals choose to engage negatively with others, perhaps by pushing someone into a mud puddle or by spreading rumors and isolating a select few who appear different from their group.

When the negative experiences occur repeatedly to another person, the physical, verbal, or psychological behavior is called bullying—a complex form of interpersonal aggression where one intentionally inflicts harm or humiliation on someone else.

In this case, the boy—one bully—showcased his power over another—the victim—who reacted emotionally in front of several witnesses—the bystanders.

Such domination consists of an imbalance, whereby the bully’s involvement is positive—his self-esteem is boosted in front of his schoolmates—and on the flip side, the others—the victims and bystanders—are left in a negative space.

Over time, the adverse consequences may impact other areas of their lives, like their performance in school…and mental well-being.

Not only is bullying expressed as physical acts, but the behavior can also occur more discretely, through the use of technology and social media. This form is called cyberbullying.

Now, the bully can hide behind her emotional exploitation of teasing another girl for her diverse looks. The inconspicuous nature of the constant harassment leaves the target helpless, and into a similar downward spiral as physical torment. Through intervention, the bullying must be stopped. Here, teachers could intrude when they notice the activity and hold the bully accountable. Likewise, the bystanders could also help the victim, for instance, by garnering a network of support and encouraging the student that they are not alone; they do belong and are connected.