Copyright Malvin Porter, Jr. 2010 - acumen - The University of ...

elationships with classmates, loneliness, poor school functioning, low academic achievement
and suicide (Haynie, Nansel, Eitel, Crump et al., 2001; T. Nansel et al., 2001a; T. Nansel et al.,
2004; T. R. Nansel, Overpeck, Haynie, Ruan, & Scheidt, 2003; Tom et al., 2010).
Bully/victims exhibit symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other forms of internalized
distress (Haynie, Nansel, Eitel, Crump et al., 2001; Schwartz, 2000). Olweus (2001) reported that
some teachers and children believe that bully/victims deserve the bullying that they receive from
their peers. Some studies have even demonstrated that teachers are less likely to intervene when
bully/victims are being victimized (Unnever & Cornell, 2003). Thus, the experiences of bullying
and being bullied have been linked to later development of negative consequences.
Nonbully/nonvictim
Nonbully/nonvictims are forced to decide whether or not to get involved when they
witness acts of bullying (Latane’ & Darley, 1970). Latane’ and Darley (1970) found that
nonbully/nonvictims must make a series of decisions, beginning with noticing that an unusual
event has occurred, followed by interpreting the unusual event as an emergency.
Nonbully/nonvictims must then decide that it is his or her personal responsibility to intervene.
Factors that influence nonbully/nonvictim decisions include nonbully/nonvictim characteristics
(e.g., age, gender, social role), victim characteristics (e.g., age, gender, helplessness), situational
factors (e.g., number of other nonbully/nonvictims present), and characteristics of the
relationship between the nonbully/nonvictim and the victim (e.g., friend, nonfriend) (Bare, 2006;
Killen & Turiel, 1998; Latane’ & Darley, 1970). When the nonbully/nonvictim decides to help,
he or she must decide the form of the intervention, such as directly confronting the bullies or
indirectly telling an authority figure. Lastly, the nonbully/nonvictim must implement the
intervention, unless the stress generated by the situation makes the decision to act too difficult
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