Bullying stories: A history of bullying
Many believe that bullying has been an area of concern since the very dawn of human existence. Bullies can exist across many different contexts and settings—creating a possibly lasting impact on many. Learning how to address the behavior and identify it for oneself can be a helpful first step in preserving one’s confidence and resilience in the face of bullying.
Below we explore the prevalence of bullying, unpack a few true-to-life stories and experiences, and identify steps you can take to prevent bullying—possibly supporting both yourself and those around you.
What constitutes bullying?
When we imagine bullying, we may think of a bigger kid pushing a smaller kid around on the playground. However, this is not the only exclusive “form” that bullying can take on. There are many different forms of bullying behavior—and bullying can happen at any age and in any location.
While bullying can differ depending on the situation, there are two factors that most bullying situations may have in common.
Intent. Accidentally offending someone is generally not considered to be bullying. Those who bully might instead know what they are doing, possibly intending harm to another person.
Power Imbalance. In many cases of bullying, the bully may be more powerful than the bullied. This doesn't mean that the bully is necessarily bigger, older or stronger than the other person. The bully can be in a higher position of authority, such as a superior at work. They can also be someone who comes from a wealthy family with the means to sue maliciously if the victim fights back.
Why do people bully?
Figuring out why people bully can be an important step in guarding one’s peace. The answer to this question can be entirely individual and dependent on the context of one’s situation.
Possible reasons for why people bully include:
Family Concerns. If someone's parents are mistreating them, or if the bully is experiencing ongoing familial strain, they may develop bullying tactics. Picking on someone weaker than them can make a bully feel satisfied and can help them cope with their troubles at home.
Power. When a person has power over someone, some do not know how to control their power—and may use what they know for negative purposes rather than positive purposes.
Personality Or Illness. A mental health condition could be behind the bullying, such as a personality or psychiatric disorder.
Insecurity. People may bully to cover up an insecurity of their own.
If you or a loved one is experiencing abuse, contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Support is available 24/7. If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.
Regardless of the cause, online therapy can help those being bullied and those engaging in bullying behavior—supporting many in finding healthier methods of expression.
“Traditional” bullying: Fact or fiction?
Name-calling, excluding people, and spreading rumors are just a few examples of bullying. Truthfully, many may not find a “traditional” bullying experience. Bullying can be incredibly personal, and can occur on a case-by-case basis.
Below, we explore some of the most common types of bullying that survivors may encounter:
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is considered by many to be a growing problem, especially in the digital age. Before the internet, bullying generally required some strength and power to take effect. However, in the cyber world, it is generally easier to do so.
Why? While reasons can vary across contexts, many people believe that the prevalence of bullying can be due to the fact that people can remain unnamed—saying things that they wouldn’t otherwise say to someone in person. The effects of cyberbullying can be as harmful as traditional bullying.
We do want to clarify: Trolling, which is defined by many as saying something provocative to get a reaction, can be bullying. However, depending on the context, it can also be harmless.
For example: Going into a forum dedicated to basketball and posting a comment that says "basketball sucks" is probably not cyberbullying by many peoples’ definition, but may be instead considered “trolling.” Conversely, constantly targeting one individual with harassing comments can instead be considered cyberbullying.
Online therapy can be useful for survivors of bullying and those engaging in bullying behaviors, offering additional support and resources for healthier patterns of communication.
Workplace bullying
Bullying might not end once school ends. The workplace can be a breeding ground for bullying.
There can be many situations across industries when one worker might not fit in with the rest—and they may be picked on as a result. The working world also has many power imbalances that might make it more likely for people to bully.
Despite this, workplace bullying is not generally recognized by law in the U.S. at the time of this publication. However, many states have gone on record noting that they wish to introduce state-level prohibitive bills.
Workplace bullying, if left unaddressed, can lead to overwhelm, burnout, and mental health crises. Online therapy can be a useful resource for employees who wish to seek support.
Seeking help: Where should I start?
If you're being bullied, it may be difficult to figure out what to do. You may feel overwhelmed, or that you are not in a position to fight back.
One way to resist bullies and the effects of bullying behavior is to get training to help you be able to ignore their tactics and stay positive. Talking to a therapist or a counselor can be a helpful first step for many who wish to learn techniques that stop bullying in its tracks.
Is online therapy effective?
How can online therapy help
If you or someone you know has experienced bullying, signing up for online therapy with one of the thousands of certified BetterHelp counselors can make a difference. Online therapy can also allow people to seek help without traveling or meeting in an office, making it a convenient option for many.
Takeaway
Online therapy can be a helpful place for many to find empowerment and support that aligns with their unique needs, possibly increasing the quality of life for both survivors and those engaging in bully-related behaviors. BetterHelp can connect you with an online therapist in your area of need.
Who was the first person to research bullying?
While bullying among children has likely been the topic of small-scale investigation for centuries, one of the first to bring scientific rigor to the major issue of bullying was likely Dan Olweus. Olweus, a Swedish-Norwegian psychologist, spent nearly 40 years studying bullying among children. He developed an anti-bullying program, the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, that is still in use today. Olweus is widely recognized as a pioneer of anti-bullying research and was a leading expert in the field before his death in 2020.
What is the definition of bullying?
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. Bullying behavior is usually repetitive and always involves an imbalance of power. The power may come from physical stature and strength, access to embarrassing or misleading information, or influence over others. Exclusion, where one person is deliberately excluded from activities, is also a form of bullying. Victims of bullying can experience significant adverse effects on their health and well-being, including an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
What are the theoretical perspectives about bullying?
Researchers are still working to determine the root cause of bullying. When asked, “What is the history of bullying?” many experts relate competing theories regarding how the modern bullying epidemic came into being. Their work may help families, educational institutions, and human services departments understand bullying among both children and adults. In the future, it may be possible to stop bullying early before it reaches a point of violence or substantial abuse.
There are four main theoretical perspectives describing how bullying emerges: the social capital, dominance, humiliation, and organizational culture theories.
- Social capital theory states that bullies target other kids in their clique or social circle to gain power and authority, essentially becoming their leader and substantially raising their social capital.
- Dominance theory asserts that bullying behavior is motivated primarily by a desire for power and control. It is derived from social dominance theory, which examines how powerful groups use their power and resources to diminish weaker groups further.
- Humiliation theory posits that the force of humiliation, where a person’s weaknesses are publicly aired in front of their peers, is a powerful form of personal and social control. It violates a fundamental need for respect, undermines social standing, and ostracizes the victim.
- Organizational culture theory states that bullying tends to arise where it is enabled within an organization. For example, schools that promote a strong culture of anti-bullying practices are more likely to have success reducing bullying instances compared to a school that sees bullying as an unavoidable part of childhood.
When did the word bully originate?
The word “bully” originated in the 16th century as a term of endearment, very different from how the word is used today. Throughout the 17th century, the term deteriorated in reputation, first meaning roughly “blusterer” before being used in the phrase “bully-ruffian,” which is approximately equivalent to the modern usage of the word - a harasser of the weak. In the 19th century, bully enjoyed a positive resurgence as a call of support, such as “bully for you!” Around the same time, it also came into vogue to describe someone who preys on those weaker than themselves, with the word “bullied” first appearing in 1850.
Who is the founding father of anti-bullying research?
The founder of anti-bullying research is commonly considered to be Dan Olweus, a Swedish-Norweigin psychologist. In 1970, Olweus conducted what many consider the first scientifically valid study on bullying. His work led to the development of an assessment instrument, the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire, and one of the first anti-bullying programs with demonstrated success, the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program.
Olweus's seminal work was based on a study of over 2,500 schoolchildren. The results were published in his book Bullying at School: What We Know and What We Can Do. Published in 1993, his book has been translated into 25 languages and is considered one of the foundational pieces of literature in the field. Furthermore, later investigations of his anti-bullying program in the 2000s yielded outstanding results, leading to the Norwegian government recommending that his program be implemented in over 500 educational institutions.
How do you deal with a bully?
Often, bullying is about getting reactions. A bully wants you to feel a strong emotional response to their actions to gain power, but they lose that power if you don’t react as expected. One of the best ways to deal with a bully in school is to walk away without showing emotion. Pretend you are walking away from a stranger who cannot get a rise out of you. A bully might escalate as you walk away, but remaining calm and metering your reactions will likely make the bully seem powerless over you, directly contradicting their actions.
You can also try yelling “STOP” before walking away, sometimes calling unwanted attention to the bully’s actions. If you are worried for your safety, it is perfectly acceptable to exit the situation as quickly as possible and find a safe space or responsible adult. Never risk your safety. If you feel like you might get hurt, do anything you can to exit the situation as quickly as possible.
- Previous Article
- Next Article