The bully is the individual who initiates and carries out the act of bullying. This role is characterized by holding a position of greater power—whether physical, emotional, or social—over the victim. For the bully, the experience can be rewarding, potentially leading to an enhanced sense of self-esteem.

Bullying: The Bully

The victim is the individual targeted in a bullying situation. Being subjected to bullying has several severe negative consequences, including a decline in mental health that can manifest as anxiety and depression. Victims may also see their academic performance suffer. In extreme cases, the experience of being bullied can lead to suicide.

Bullying: The Victim

Bystanders in bullying refers to individuals who witness the bullying but are not involved in the act. 

Bullying: The Bystandars

Bystanders, or witnesses, are the third party involved in a bullying incident. They are individuals who observe the negative interaction between the bully and the victim. The experience of witnessing bullying can also have negative consequences for these observers.

Bullying: The Bystanders

Read the following scenario and analyze the fundamental element that distinguishes this negative interaction as a potential bullying situation.

Analyzing a Social Interaction

The dynamic of a bullying situation involves three distinct roles: the bully, who perpetrates the act; the victim, who is the target; and the witnesses or bystanders who observe the interaction. A defining characteristic of this dynamic is an imbalance of power, where the bully possesses more physical, emotional, or social power than the victim.

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Bullying is a form of repeated, intentional aggression aimed at inflicting harm on a victim, who is often an adolescent. Recognized as a significant international public health issue, this behavior can manifest as physical, psychological, emotional, or social abuse.

Bullying

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Parties Involved in Bullying

Research indicates that boys and girls typically engage in different forms of bullying. Boys are more likely to use direct, physical aggression, such as causing physical harm. In contrast, girls tend to employ indirect, social forms of aggression, like spreading rumors or intentionally isolating someone from a social group.

Gender Differences in Bullying

A fundamental aspect of bullying is an imbalance of power between the bully and the victim. The bully holds more power, which can be physical, emotional, or social in nature. This power differential is a key element that distinguishes bullying from other forms of conflict.

Power Imbalance in Bullying

Cyberbullying is a modern form of bullying conducted within an online environment. This digital context is distinct because it can provide anonymity for the aggressor, which may intensify the harassment and leave the victim feeling particularly helpless to stop it.

Cyberbullying

Bullying has severe negative mental health consequences for young victims. The psychological distress resulting from this repeated harm can be profound, and in some cases, it is a contributing factor to suicide.

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