More commonly known as bullying, peer victimization affects nearly 90 percent of all school children today and poses a major obstacle to learning achievement (Rigby, Johnson, 2006). Recent trends by educators in addressing this problem has seen a shift away from viewing bullying in schools as the outcome of individual differences in physical strength or personality, towards seeing bullying in relation to the social or group context in which it occurs.
Emphasis now focuses on the social roles that bystanders of school bullying commonly adopt; where a reduction in bullying may be achieved by encouraging bystanders to engage in pro-social and intervening behavior to assist victims. The dilemma facing teachers today is how do we effectively approach improving student bystander behavior; and then appropriately integrate these efforts into our classroom teaching strategies and curriculum.
Please share and explain your ideas, opinions, and suggestions as to how I might promote action on the part of bystanders to intervene in the behalf of victims, through classroom activities, exercises, or lesson strategies.
