Previous studies have shown social dominance and peer victimization to be
on opposite ends of the spectrum in understanding the success and acceptability
in the use of aggression. The current findings build upon these studies by
showing that these same characteristics also play a role in understanding the
link between relational aggression and peer liking. The current findings for
peer victimization are in line with previous work on aggressive victims that
has shown this group to be particularly unsuccessful in their utilization of
relational aggression and to be especially disliked by the peer group (Schwartz
et al., 2001) because of their use of aggression that is dysregulated, ineffectual,
and reinforces others’ aggression toward them (Perry et al., 1992;
Schwartz, 2000; Schwartz et al., 2001).
Ok, not specifically about cyberbullying, but as I’ve mentioned many times before… the e,i,cyber or whatever techno tag that we add to a word doesn’t change the essence of what is being described. Edit – and it looks like some others agree (Downes, Dash)
Adams, Bartlette and Bukoski (August 4, 2009, doi:10.1177/0272431609342985 The Journal of Early Adolescence February 2010 vol. 30 no. 1 102-121) look at the age group that certainly is adopting technology at the same time they are trying to figure out their own pecking order. The study also takes a look at Canadian kids. Not that this should matter that much, but as it happens, people like to see things about their own back yard as it were.
The study also closes with this very practical take away – a nod a taking a look behind the curtain and not just reacting to the spectacle that is on stage:
In other words,it is not only important to know whether someone is relationally aggressive but it also important to know who is using the aggression and how the peer group views that individual.
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