Ethical Implications And The Effects Of Bullying - 1915 Words

Ethical Implications and the Effects of Bullying Bullying is a typical common topic among schools. What has changed is the academic perception of bullying. What was once seen as a common process of growth for students is now seen as a detrimental process that can have lasting negative effects on all parties involved. This essay briefly examines the history of research on the effects of bullying, it then identifies the current state of research as well as public perception. I conclude with intervention strategies that are suggested with this context in mind. Historically, bullying is seen as a natural process that is part of the growth and development of children and students. This view was particularly strong within the public’s†¦show more content†¦Specifically, the definition has gotten more precise and added more components. Bullying (in present research), is defined as intentional harm doing with an imbalance of power (perceived or real). It can be physical or verbal, and direct or indirect (Wolke, 2015). This definition becomes even more complex when one factors in cyber bullying. Cyber bullying can involve all the same factors but is different in that it takes place through electronic means. This can involve aggressive communication, sharing of private messages, and a variety of other circumstances (Wolke, 2015, p. 879). The situation begins with an understanding of the parties involved. Each party has different stakes in bullying incidents which results in the effects being different for each party. Contemporary r esearch predominantly categorizes individuals into three groups: Bully, Bully/Victim, and Victim (Copeland, 2013; Sourander, 2007). In Andre Sourander’s article, â€Å"What is the Early Adulthood Outcome of Boys Who Bully or Are Bullied in Childhood? The Finnish ‘From a Boy to a Man’ Study† he goes into specific detail on each of these groups. Beginning with the bully, there are common traits that have arisen in recent research. These include aggression, hyperactivity, domineering personality, social adeptness and awareness, and possibly a lack of empathy (Sourander, 2007). The common theme that arises among these traits is bullies have a tendency to recognize