Please read the question carefully and then post a reply to the instructor posti
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Question
Please read the question carefully and then post a reply to the instructor posting. Be sure to include a minimum of 7 sentences and refer to the discussion writing guidelines as well as the grade rubric for assistance in writing a successful and thought provoking response.
This discussion focuses on current events in the news today that relates to psychology. This is an opportunity to voice your opinion on an issue that was not available during the semester and to earn up to 10 extra credit points. There are many issues that are discussed in the news today. Some include, childhood obesity (such as First Lady Michelle Obama's healthy eating initiative), molestation in academic settings (such as the sexual abuse of athletes and boys by the head coach at Penn State), cluster suicides, bullying in schools, and even issues pertaining to young children who participate in beauty pageants. Please choose an article or newscast that DIRECTLY pertains to issues in psychology that you have recently seen or read and discuss it. Discuss the event. Then discuss how it relates to psychology. Provide your own psychological analysis of the event, using the psychological principles we are learning in this course.
Explanation / Answer
Facts About Bullying
Definition
In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Department of Education released the first federal uniform definition of bullying for research and surveillance.1 The core elements of the definition include: unwanted aggressive behavior; observed or perceived power imbalance; and repetition of behaviors or high likelihood of repetition. There are many different modes and types of bullying.
The current definition acknowledges two modes and four types by which youth can be bullied or can bully others. The two modes of bullying include direct (e.g., bullying that occurs in the presence of a targeted youth) and indirect (e.g., bullying not directly communicated to a targeted youth such as spreading rumors). In addition to these two modes, the four types of bullying include broad categories of physical, verbal, relational (e.g., efforts to harm the reputation or relationships of the targeted youth), and damage to property.
Bullying can happen in any number of places, contexts, or locations. Sometimes that place is online or through a cellphone. Bullying that occurs using technology (including but not limited to phones, email, chat rooms, instant messaging, and online posts) is considered electronic bullying and is viewed as a context or location.
Electronic bullying or cyberbullying involves primarily verbal aggression (e.g., threatening or harassing electronic communications) and relational aggression (e.g., spreading rumors electronically). Electronic bullying or cyberbullying can also involve property damage resulting from electronic attacks that lead to the modification, dissemination, damage, or destruction of a youth’s privately stored electronic information.
Some bullying actions can fall into criminal categories, such as harassment, hazing, or assault.
Journalists and other content creators can use this definition to determine whether an incident they are covering is actually bullying. Media pieces often mistakenly use the word “bullying” to describe events such as one-time physical fights, online arguments, or incidents between adults. See more on related topics.
State of the Science
Bullying prevention is a growing research field that has made great strides in answering important questions. We now know much more about how complex bullying is, and how it affects youth at the time they experience it and even as adults.
Yet many questions remain. Journalists and other content creators can serve the public by representing the state of the science as transparently as possible.
What We Know
Conclusive research has shown:
Prevalence:2
Risk Factors:3
Effects:
Group Phenomenon:4
Changing Roles:5
Disconnect Between Adults and Youth:3
Promising Prevention Strategies:6-11
What We Don’t Yet Know
Some of the many research questions that remain:
The Best Way to Prevent Bullying:12-14
How Media Coverage Affects Bullying:
Statistics
Here are statistics from studies that journalists and other content creators can feel comfortable including in their pieces. If you find data that looks significantly different, examine it critically, or ask an expert.
For statistics related to youth suicide see the CDC youth suicide webpage.
National Statistics
Been Bullied
Bullied Others
Seen Bullying
Been Cyberbullied
How Often Bullied
Types of Bullying
Where Bullying Occurs
How Often Adult Notified
International Statistics
In general, the U.S. has an about average amount of bullying when compared to other countries according to a World Health Organization survey. See the rates of bullying in 35 countries - PDF.
State and Local Statistics
Follow these links for state and local figures on the following topics:
Bullied on School Property, Grades 9-12
Cyberbullied, Grades 9-12
Bullying and Suicide
The relationship between bullying and suicide is complex. Many media reports oversimplify this relationship, insinuating or directly stating that bullying can cause suicide. The facts tell a different story. In particular, it is not accurate and potentially dangerous to present bullying as the “cause” or “reason” for a suicide, or to suggest that suicide is a natural response to bullying. We recommend media not use the word "bully-cide."
Read more about the possible harm of connecting bullying and suicide in what to avoid.
Targeted Groups
Bullying can affect any young person, but there are characteristics and circumstances that put certain young people at higher risk. Read more about risk factors.
Special Note About LGBTQ Youth:18Research shows that LGBTQ youth are at a heightened risk for being the target of bullying, and this is an important story angle. However, media should balance coverage with information about the many facets of bullying and the wide range of youth involved.
While recent news stories have tended to focus on making connections between anti-LGBTQ bullying and suicide, media should be careful not to oversimplify any correlation between the two. Being bullied does not by itself explain the additional risk for suicide.
Learn more about bullying and LGBTQ youth.
Laws
There is no federal anti-bullying law. Although 49 states have anti-bullying legislation, bullying is not illegal.
In particular, when a youth dies by suicide, it is misleading to cover the story as a crime. Rather, consider covering it as a public health issue.
When bullying is also harassment, it does break federal law.
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