Bullying and Friendships

This set of flashcards contains key vocabulary and concepts related to bullying, including types, outcomes, risk factors, and roles of bystanders.

Types of bullying

Direct, physical, verbal, indirect, spreading rumors, damaging reputation, excluding someone, damaging property.

Cyberbullying

Bullying that takes place over digital devices and online platforms.

Bystanders

Individuals who witness bullying but are not directly involved.

Outcomes of bullying

Increased anxiety, eating disorders, loneliness, aggression, self-harming, lowered self-esteem, poorer relationships, underachievement.

Bully victimization

The experience of being bullied, which can lead to psychological issues.

Perpetration

The act of bullying others, often linked to negative home environments.

Risk factors: age

Bullying prevalence peaks around ages 11-13, often during school transitions.

Risk factors: gender

Boys are more involved in traditional bullying; girls engage in relational or verbal bullying.

Risk factors: ethnicity

Racial and ethnic minorities are more at risk of bias-based bullying victimization.

Risk factors: LGBTQ+

LGBTQ youth face over 50% likelihood of being bullied, especially in middle school.

Social learning theory

The theory that behaviors are learned through observing and imitating others.

Attachment theory

The idea that secure attachments in families reduce bullying involvement.

School factors

Relationships with teachers and classmates and anti-bullying policies affect bullying rates.

Role of bystanders

Bystanders can reinforce bullying behaviors or intervene based on perceived severity.

Fear of retaliation

Concern that intervening in a bullying situation may lead to negative consequences for bystanders.

Family conflict

Living in a high-conflict family increases the risk of both bullying perpetration and victimization.

Insecure attachments

Attachments in families that are unstable or inconsistent, linked to increased victimization.

Secure attachments

Stable and supportive relationships in families that help reduce involvement in bullying.

School size

The number of students in a school, which can influence the dynamics of bullying.

Anti-bullying policies

School protocols aimed at reducing bullying that emphasize collaboration and community.

Reporting of bullying

The tendency of bullied children to report fewer incidents as they age.