Bullying 1
Running head: Bullying and Victim’s
Bullying, is it Possible to
Change Children’s Views about It?
Ansia Jalani
Ed. 702
Prof. O’Connor-Petruso
Fall 2009
Bullying 2
Table of Contents
Abstract
Page 3
Introduction
Page 3
Statement of Problem
Page 4
Review of Literature
Page 4
Statement of Hypothesis
Page 9
Method
Page 10
Participants
Page 10
Instruments
Page 10
Experimental Design
Page 10
Procedure
Page 10
Results
Page 10
Discussion
Page 11
Implications
Page 11
References
Page 12
Appendices
Page 15
Bullying 3
Abstract
Introduction
Bullying is a problem that is seen as a worldwide issue. In recent years the problem has
begun to receive more attention. Bullying inside and outside of schools is on the rise. It is a
problem with school age children, no matter what age a child may be. School staff and teachers
do not have enough time to talk to children about the effects of bullying. They do not have the
proper training either. Whether someone is the bully, the victim, or even a witness there are no
good outcomes.
This paper will look at some background information on the topic of bullying. The
study to be done by the researcher will see if bullying can be combated if the issue is addressed
to students.
Bullying 4
Statement of Problem
Teasing and bullying among school age children is a problem. No matter what type of
school it may be. From my experience teachers/staff do not address it the issue the way it should
be addressed. The problem is increasingly growing. Students at school X are constantly
complaining about the behavior of other students towards them. Nothing is being done about it.
The purpose of this research/study is to find out can a bully change their behavior for the better
toward his/her peers?
Review of Literature
Bullying is a problem that has been around for a long time. In the past few years bullying
“…has begun to receive serious research attention…” (Hymel & Swearer, n.d.). Bullying comes
in many different forms. There is physical bullying, verbal bullying and relational bullying.
With the increase in technology, cyber-bullying is on the rise also. Morrionson, 2009 states that
is cyber bullying done through the “…internet, e-mail and cell phones” Slonje, R. & Smith, P.
Cyberbullying: another main type of bullying (2008). Bullying is underestimated by “…teachers
and school staff…” (O’Brennan & Bradshaw, n.d.).
A statistics research study found that one out of four children is a victim of bullying. The
same study also stated that one out of five kids on a school bullying…survey admit to being a
bully or they admit to doing some “Bullying.” (Bullying Statistics/Cyber Bullying Statistics/
School Bullying Statistics, n.d.). Bullying in schools usually occurs in places where there is a
lack of adult supervision usually in the playground. After the playground, the next places of
bully targets are “…classrooms, hallways, lunchrooms and washrooms.” (Kartal, 2007)
Bullying 5
“When bullying in schools they have a strong need to dominate…other students and to
get their way…” (Bullying in Schools, n.d.). Bullying is about having control and power over
others. “Bullying is power.” (Cillessen, n.d.). Many bullies feel a sense of power and
accomplishment when they pick on their victims. (Hymel & Swearer, n.d.; Pepler & Craig, n.d.;
Scarpaci, 2006; Cillessen, n.d.).
Research says that bullying is a life long act. Hymel & Swearer (n.d.) also states that
bully aggression leads to aggression later in life. Basically they say that bullies will use the same
strategies they use with their victims for their other relationships in life, whether it is in dating or
possibly even in the workplace. “…most aggressive 9-year-olds tend to be the most aggressive
19-year-olds” (Cillessen, n.d.).
The way a child acts towards others affects all aspects of the child upbringing. Their
school status (grades), their emotional status. Research shows that “…the quality of children’s
peer relations with their academic, behavioral, and emotional adjustment…” (DeRosier, 2004).
Bullying is done by both males and females “…girls engage in bullying behavior almost
as often as boys” (Bullying, 1998). Males and females engage in different types of bullying
behavior. Males bullies are aggressive they use physical force. Female bullies usually use
verbal assaults to taunt their victims or spread rumors about their victims.
Bullies target the same person over a period of time, meaning that a bully usually has one
victim for a period of time. The victims “…often lack social support…have no means of support
during bullying episodes…victims are social outsiders and are rejected by many…” (Watkins,
Bullying 6
2007; Strohmeier, n.d.). Usually the bully and the victim are in “…the same age and in the same
class…” (Kartal, 2007).
The intended victims give the bully a sense of power, especially when the victims give in
easily to the bully by “…crying easily, failing to defend themselves…” (Hall, 2006). Another
article states that “…victims of bullying are more likely to suffer in silence…” (Graham, n.d.).
Children who are victims of bullying “…suffer more greatly from anxiety, depression, loneliness
and post-traumatic stress…” (Marini, n.d.).
Studies have also found that students who are victims of bullying do not go to an adult
figure for help. Even if the problem is happening at school, victims keep quiet. One main
reason for keeping quiet is that; “…students do not tell teachers about bullying incidents because
they perceive the teachers as “inept, uncaring, or unable to protect them.” (Bauman, 2008).
People assume that if there are witnesses to the bullying incident, the incident will stop.
Research shows that the opposite is true. Studies have found that witnesses only add to the
problem of bullying. “Witnessing bullying is distressing for bystanders and may contribute to
grater approval for aggression retaliation.” (Frey, Hirschstein, Edstrom & Snell, 2009).
One of the biggest and most famous theorist/researcher on bullying is Dr. Dan Olweus.
Olweus was a psychologist from Norway who studied bullying. He is seen as the father of
research on bullies and victims. “Olweus conducted the largest project on Bergen, Norway, in
the early 1980s” (Bauman, 2008). The study looked at bullying at all levels of school. Olweus
implemented different strategies to decrease bullying and it worked. “Much of the thinking
Bullying 7
about bullying intervention has been inspired by Olweus innovative schoolwide program that
showed large reductions in bullying and victimization in Norwegian students” (Frey et al. 2009).
The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program was implemented in American schools in the
1900’s. The goal of the program is to decrease or stop bullying issues among school age
children. The program has been found to reduce bullying among children, improve the social
climate of classrooms, and reduce related antisocial behaviors, such as vandalism and
truancy. (Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, 2003)
There are many myths that people have about bullying. People may not always state their
views/opinions out loud but they may have it in their minds. One big myth that people have in
their mind is that bullying is normal, it is part of childhood. Scarpaci (2006) states that “Some
people view bullying as a normal aspect of childhood…” This is not the case though. Bullying
is not normal and victims never ask to be bullied.
Another myth is that bullies have no friends. Many articles state the opposite “…bullies
are actually quite popular among their classmates…” (Graham, n.d.). “…bullies tend to be
confident, with high self-esteem…” (Bullying Facts and Statistics, n.d.).
Bullies obtain
“…power through bullying…” (Pepler & Craig, n.d.).
There are studies that say bullying starts at home. A family’s interaction and their family
life affects a child greatly. Children see aggression and bullying behavior at home, they pick it
up from there. “…children who were bullies or victims at home seemed to maintain their roles at
school.” (Menesini,n.d.). Studies show that home life greatly influences whether or not a child
becomes a bully or a victim of a bully.
Bullying 8
Myron-Wilson (1999) states “…that children with over-controlling or dominating parents
were found to harass other children more often at school” in Manning, S.A. & Taylor, D.A.
(1978). Effects of view violence and aggression: stimulation and catharsis. Journal of
Personality and Social Psychology, (31) 1, 180-188. Children do pick up stuff from their parents
and how they are treated at home. Children learn about aggression towards others from
“…watching the daily interactions of their family members” (Georgiou, 2008).
An article by Duncan (n.d.) states that families of bullies lack closeness for one another.
Bullies usually grow up without father and they are victims of abuse themselves at home.
Duncan (n.d.) went on to say that mothers of male victims were to overprotective and controlling
of their sons. The fathers of the victims were absent. Families of female victims are different
from the families of male victims. Female victims have poor family relations. Their mothers
often reject their daughters.
There are many cons to bullying. Society first needs to let victims know that it is okay to
talk to an adult if you are being bullied. Victims do not tell adults because they fear that no one
will help them. Teachers and school staff need the proper training to deal with the issue. So that
if a child does come asking for help, they know what to do. The entire school needs to be spoken
to about the issue of bullying. Children need to know and need to learn that it is not okay to hurt
someone physically, mentally, verbally etc.
There are a number of different intervention programs out there to combat bullying. A
study done by Lee, Buckthorpe, Craighead & McCormack (2008) states that “In schools in
which bullying was less frequent the teachers were more likely to speak about bullying
Bullying 9
problems…” Ryan (n.d) states that teachers and school administrators would like to help
decrease bullying, but they do not have the time nor do they have the resources to do so.
More adult supervision is needed in places where bullying is highest, especially
playgrounds. Parents and school staff need to work together. Parents need to be taught about
bullying and what they can do to prevent their child from either becoming a bully or becoming a
victim. Pepler & Craig (n.d.) state that witnesses need to be taught what to do when they see and
incident occurring. They need to be taught to stand up for the victim and interfere in the incident
to make it stop.
Ryan (n.d.) states that improving a schools climate seems to have a great impact on
reducing bullying. Scarpaci (2006) says that “…teachers should encourage and practice
openness in class.” Bullies work in silence, if students have open communication in the class,
then more victims will speak up. Lee et al. (2008) state in their research that “In the schools in
which bullying was less frequent the teachers were more likely to speak about bullying
problems…” just a few simple steps need to be taken to talk and teach children about bullying.
Parents and teachers can ask questions such, how did you feel about it? Did you hurt their
feelings? (Bullying Lesson Plan/Worksheets, n.d.).
Statement of Hypothesis
HR1- The students at Sunday school X will show a clear change. After the given
intervention/treatment there will be a positive change in the students. There will be a decrease in
Bullying 10
the teasing and bullying of students by students. Students will not feel helpless anymore against
their bully.
Methods
Participants
There are twenty students who will participate in this study. There are eleven males and
nine females. The ages of these students are from eight years old to ten years old. The students
are in the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades at their regular Public Schools. At the Sunday school the
students are in Level 2. The ethnic breakdown of these students is as follows: 1 African
American, 1 Bosnian and 18 South East Asians. All of these students are from immigrant
parents.
Instruments
The instruments that will be used in this research will be a consent form, two surveys and
two small “What would do you situations” for students to fill. The consent form will be given to
the principal of the school. The consent form will state who the researcher is and what the
purpose is for the study. The surveys will ask the students questions related to bullying. One
survey will be given before the intervention. The second survey will be given about 2-3 weeks
after the intervention. The situation questions will give students a scenario and students will
answer what they would do in a situation like that.
Experimental Design: Not needed
Procedure: Not needed
Result: Not needed
Bullying 11
Discussion: Not needed
Implications: Not needed
Bullying 12
References
Bullying. (1998). Retrieved November 2, 2009 from Healthline.com website:
http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/bullies
Bullying facts and statistics. (2007). Retrieved October 19, 2009 from Safeyouth.com
website: http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/faq/bullying.asp
Bullying in schools. (n.d.). Retrieved November 9 2009 from copyright © How-to-stopbullying.com website: http://www.how-to-stop-bullying.com/schoolbullying.html
Bullying lesson plan/worksheets. (n.d.). Retrieved November 9 2009 from copyright © 2009
How-to-stop-bullying.com website: http://www.how-to-stopbullying.com/bullyinglessonplan.html
Bullying statistics/cyber bullying statistics/school bullying statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved November
9 2009 from copyright © 2009 How-to-stop-bullying.com website: http://www.how-tostop-bullying.com/bullyingstatistics.html
Bauman, S. (2008). The role of elementary school counselors in reducing school bullying.
Retrieved September 19, 2009, from ERIC database. (ERIC Document Reproduction
Service No. 791980).
Bradshaw, P. C., & O’Brennan, M, L., Sawyer, L. A. (2009). Helping school staff identify and
understand the effects of bullying. Retrieved September 20, 2009 from ERIC database.
(ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. 827502).
Buckthorpe, S., Craighead, T., Lee, C., & McCormack, G. (2008). The relationship between
the level of bullying in primary schools and children’s views of their teachers’ attitudes to
pupil behavior. Retrieved September 19, 2009 from ERIC database. (ERIC Document
Reproduction Service No. 810868).
Cillessen, A. (n.d.) Why is bullying difficult to change? Retrieved October 1, 2009 from
Copyright © 2006-2009 Education.com website:
http://www.education.com/reference/article/bullying-difficult-to-change/
Craig, W. & Pepler, D. (n.d.). Bullying, interventions, and the role of adults. Retrieved October
30, 2009 from copyright © 2006-2009 Education.com website:
http://www.education.com/reference/article/role-of-adults-in-preventing-bullying/
DeRosier, E.,M. (2004). Building relationships and combating bullying: effectiveness of schoolbased social skills group intervention. Retrieved September 27, 2009 from Eric database.
(ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. 683222).
Bullying 13
Duncan, D. R, (n.d). Family characteristics of children involved in bullying. Retrieved October
5, 2009 from copyright © 2006-2009 Education.com website:
http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Family/
Edstrom, L.V., Frey, K.S., Hirschstien, M., & Snell, J.L. (2009). Observed reductions in school
bullying, nonbullying aggression, and destructive bystander behavior: a longitudinal
evaluation. Retrieved September 17, 2009, from ERIC database. ERIC Document
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Georgiou, S. (2008). Bullying and victimization at school: the role of mothers. Retrieved
September 17, 2009 from ERIC database. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No.
784378).
Graham, S. (n.d.) Some myths and facts about bullies and victims. Retrieved October 5, 2009
from copyright © 2006-2009 Education.com website:
http://www.education.com/reference/article/bullying-myths-facts/
Hall, K. (2006). Using problem-based learning with victims of bullying behavior. Retrieved
September 17, 2009 from ERIC database. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No.
743336).
Hymel, S. & Swearer, S. (n.d.). Bullying: and age old problem that needs new solutions.
Retrieved October 5, 2009 from copyright © 2006-2009 Education.com website
http://www.education.com/reference/article/bullying-about-power-and-abuse-of-power/
Kartal, H. (2008). Bullying prevalence among elementary students. Retrieved September
17, 2009 from ERIC database. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. 824791).
Marini, Z. (n.d.). What’s a bully-victim? Retrieved October 10, 2009 from copyright © 20062009 Education.com website: http://www.education.com/reference/article/what-is-abully-victim/
Menesini, E. (n.d.). Is bullying learned at home? the relation between bullying among siblings
and among peers. Retrieved October 10, 2009 from copyright © 2006-2009
Education.com website: http://www.education.com/reference/article/home-environmentimpacts-bullying/
Morrison, C. (2009). "What would you do, what if it's you?" strategies to deal with a bully.
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Bullying 14
bullying. Retrieved October 19, 2009 from ERIC database. (ERIC Document
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Clemson University website: http://www.clemson.edu/olweus/history.htm
Ryan, W. (n.d.) Tribes: a way to improve school climate and reduce bullying. Retrieved
September 25, 2009 from Copyright© 2006-2009 Education.com website:
http://www.education.com/reference/article/bullying-about-power-and-abuse-of-power/#
Scarpai, R. (2006). Bullying: effective strategies for its prevention. Retrieved November 20,
2009 from Eric database. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. 738087).
Strohmeier, D. (n.d.) Bullying and its underlying mechanisms. Retrieved October 20, 2009 from
copyright © 2006-2009 Education.com website:
http://www.education.com/reference/article/reasons-for-bullying
Watkins, E.C. (2007). Dealing with bullies and how not to be one. Retrieved November 2,
2009 from copyright © NCPMAD.com website: http://www.ncpamd.com/Bullies.htm
What kind of school programs should I advocate for to stop bullying at my child’s school? (n.d.)
Retrieved October 19, 2009 from copyright © 2006-2009 Education.com website:
http://www.education.com/reference/article/what-programs-stop-bullying/
Bullying 15
Appendices
Appendix A
Consent Form:
To Whom It May Concern;
My name is Ansia Jalani. I am a graduate student at Brooklyn College. I am currently
taking Education 702.22. This course is an action research course. For my research project I
would like to look at the issue of bullying and see if it can be decreased. I would like to use the
students from level 2 in this Islamic School as part of my study. There will be a short survey
related to bullying for the students to fill out. There will also be a shirt skit that I would like the
students to perform in front of their class. There will also be a short survey for the students to
fill out one month after the intervention.
I am asking your permission as principal of this school that I be allowed to use the
students in this school. No names (school, teachers nor students) will be mentioned in this
report. My study will look at the amount and type of bullying that the school has already. After
my intervention (the skit and talking to students about the effects of bullying) I will see if there
are any changes in the amount of bullying after the intervention.
Thank You
Ansia Jalani
Bullying 16
Appendix B
Survey # 1
Age:
Gender:
DIRECTIONS: Write 1 for YES or 2 for NO
Have you ever bullied someone?
____
Have you seen someone bullied?
____
Do you bully a younger brother or sister?
____
Have you ever hit someone?
____
Has someone ever hit you?
____
Have you ever told someone to stop hitting another person?
____
Have you ever told someone to sop teasing another person?
____
Have you ever teased someone?
____
Has anyone ever teased you?
____
Have you seen other children being teased?
____
If you saw someone being mean would you tell them to stop?
____
Have you ever told an adult if someone is bothering
you in a mean way?
____
Bullying 17
Appendix C
Survey # 2
Age:
Gender:
DIRECTIONS: Write 1 for YES or 2 for NO
After seeing the skit, do you feel different about bullying?
____
Would you tell someone to stop being mean to someone else?
____
Will you continue to tease other students?
____
Will you continue to tease a brother or sister?
____
Bullying 18
Appendix D
Please read the following problem and answer what you would do if you were there.
You are in school and you go to the bathroom. Inside the bathroom you see three of your
friends picking on a student from another class. You do not like the student, but you know what
is happening to that student is bad. What do you do?
Bullying 19
Appendix E
Please read the following problem and answer what would you do if you were there.
You are outside playing on the playground. Your friends start to pick on a child standing
by him/herself. What would you do?