Cyberbullying and Unmet Needs

 

As long as there are unmet needs, there will be bullies, victims, and bystanders. Organizational psychology examines the systems that foster the rise of bully triads in schools, communities, and the workplace. Organizational psychologists provide change through improved policies and procedures, communication and education, and development. Cyberbullying is a different system to change because the delivery and scope of the interface are unbridled and without checks and balances. The bully feeds off of the rewards that temporarily meet the bully's perceived unmet needs, and victims and bystanders receive the effects of bullying, which mimic the negative control of instrumental conditioning, creating feelings of loss concerning safety, love, and belonging. The educational opportunity is to identify the triad's unmet needs and then provide support to change negative attitudes and beliefs into beliefs about empowerment, self-actualization, and self-efficacy.

-Dr. Stewart pictureyourselfstronger@yahoo.com

An Attitude of Gratitude

Fill the Knowledge Gap

Once bullying occurs, there is a knowledge gap on what to do next. Individuals and organizations must become knowledgeable about the laws, policies, and regulations regarding bullying-related incidents. Questions to ask are what the state and local laws regarding harassment, extortion, hate crimes, bullying, assault, stalking, or cyberbullying are, so that protective action is possible. If the bullying event is determined to be criminal, then the individual or organization must seek legal counsel and act as advised.  Also, protecting the victim or victims is critical at all times to prevent further harm or harassment.

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Gratitude Without Guilt

 

The Similarities in Hazing, Roasting, Bullying, and Cyberbullying

 

 

Hazing: “The initiation of new members into a group by subjecting them to rituals that involve mental or physical discomfort, harassment, embarrassment, ridicule, or humiliation. Hazing is thought to promote group-relevant skills and attitudes, reinforce the status hierarchy, and create social dependency” ( APA, 2023, p. 1).

 

Roasting: Often involving school-age children in person or through social media. To roast is to tease someone or ridicule another. Sometimes, roasting may be based on appearance, actions, or personality. According to Matthew (2023), "roasting’ becomes bullying when it intentionally and repeatedly occurs to the same target against their will, meaning that the individual who is being ‘roasted’ feels powerless to stop it (p. 1). 

 

Bullying: "Persistent threatening and aggressive physical behavior or verbal abuse directed toward other people, especially those who are younger, smaller, weaker, or in some other situation of relative disadvantage" (APA, 2023, p. 1).

 

Cyberbullying: "Verbally threatening or harassing behavior conducted through such electronic technology as cell phones, e-mail, and text messaging" (APA, 2023, p. 1).

  

APA. (2023). Bullying. https://dictionary.apa.org/bullying

APA. (2023). Cyberbullying. https://dictionary.apa.org/bullying

APA (2023). Hazing. https://dictionary.apa.org/hazing

Matthew, D. (2023). When Kids ‘Roast’ and Joke Around – Is It Bullying?

https://empowerment.space/when-kids-roast-and-joke-around-is-it-bullying/

 

 

Gratitude May Reduce Anxiety