Sociological Approach To Bullying Essay

Bullying can often be referred to as harassment; intimidation through physical assault or verbal insults. Bullying seems to be a distinct issue with children and adolescents as apposed to adulthood. Furthermore bullying can lead into adulthood, at this point legal action can take place, because it may be considered criminal behavior. At any age bullying can occur. Bullying often takes place between two individuals, but it can contain groups of people. Often victims get placed into an alternative social category than the bullies themselves. Bullying for boys is much different than bullying for girls. Males may hit others they think are inferior, or they could just threaten to do so. Females have a more subtle approach to bullying, as they lean …show more content…
Psychologists believe that children and even adults have a specific way that they broadcast that they can be intimidated. There usually 3 parties around when bullying takes place: the bully, the victim, and the witnesses. The reaction of the witnesses can have an impact on the bully and the victim, often they will join in and call the victim names. If the witnesses do join in it could lead to the bully 's ego being boosted, and this is known as positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is something that is being added to the situation (example, the praise or other kids joining in) that makes the behavior continue (example, the bullying). This can lead to more bullying. There are 3 victims: the bully themselves because they are acting out their own insecurities, the actual victim whose underlying insecurities come out once the bullying starts; this can lead to problems during a later part of their life. The witnesses are also victims because they have to learn to cope with many different behaviors, they can also fail to cope with these behaviors. Bullying is suppose to be seen as a developmental issue, not assault and