Social Rejection and Bullying Dr. Clairday ED 513

Social Rejection and Bullying What is social rejection? Deliberately excluding from a social relationship or social interaction Rejection by peers Social incompatibility

Social Rejection and Bullying What causes social rejection? Cultural differences Emotionally immature Manners/common courtesies missing Unpopular Shy Low emotional intelligence

Social Rejection and Bullying What are the implications of social rejection? 3 types of unpopular children (Berger, 2009) Neglected – ignored but not shunned Aggressive rejected – disliked because antagonistic or confrontational Withdrawn – timid, shy, anxious

Social Rejection and Bullying Bullying – repeated, systematic attacks intended to harm those who are unable or unlikely to defend themselves. 3 types of bullying: Physical Verbal Relational

Social Rejection and Bullying Why do students bully? 1. To gain power 2. To get attention or become popular 3. To get material things 4. To act out problems at home 5. To copy another person they admire

Social Rejection and Bullying Who are the bullies? 1. A person who doesn’t care if bad things happen to other people. 2. A person who doesn’t feel bad when they hurt others. 3. A person who likes to be in charge and always gets their way. 4. A person who believes others deserve to get bullied. 5. A person who is bullied at home by their parents, brothers or sisters.

Social Rejection and Bullying Underlying traits of victims: Social cognition – inability to understand human interactions, cause of rejection, developed by middle school Psychological – shy, sensitive, anxious, insecure, low self-esteem, lack of social skills Physical – overweight, small, having a disability, racial

Social Rejection and Bullying Who becomes a victim of bullying? 1. Students who are smaller. 2. Students who don’t have that many friends. 3. Students who don’t stick up for themselves or get help from an adult. 4. Students who are perceived to be an ‘easy target’ therefore bullies believe they can get away with it.

Social Rejection and Bullying Effects on victims: 1. Feel scared, alone and sad 2. Don’t like school 3. Don’t feel good about themselves 4. Get headaches and stomachaches

Social Rejection and Bullying Consider if social rejection and bullying are connected? If so, how? Boys – physical force and intimidation Girls – verbal and social alienation Mental effects

Social Rejection and Bullying Compare/contrast psycho-social characteristics of bullies and victims. Do these descriptions describe a bully, a victim, or both? Social costs such as impaired social understanding and relationship difficulties Home-life – families create an insecure attachment, stressful home-life, ineffective at discipline, hostile siblings

Social Rejection and Bullying Helping bullies and victims: Development of effortful control (Berger, 2009) Culture change in schools to address – survey, train, be proactive Teach - ignore, no retaliating, defusing, or avoiding bullying Development of friendships

Social Rejection and Bullying Helping bullies and victims continued: Avoid being bullied: posture, eye contact, avoid isolated places, don’t be alone Help others Speak out Ignore it initially Get adult help if it continues Building self-esteem

Social Rejection and Bullying Personal experiences on this topic. Field trip: http://www.opheliaproject.org/main/index.htm

Social Rejection and Bullying

Social Rejection and Bullying Discussion - Questions