Volu m e II - Purdue University Calumet

in a certain way to gain power over another person (Besag, 1989). The person initiating the bullying is the
one searching for the power and control over the individuals that may seem less than or weaker than the
bully themselves. Norwegian researcher Dan Olweus defines bullying as when a person is: "exposed,
repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other persons." He defines
negative action as "when a person intentionally inflicts injury or discomfort upon another person, through
physical contact, through words or in other ways (www.Olweus.org). This definition includes three
important components:
1. Bullying is aggressive behavior that involves unwanted, negative actions.
2. Bullying involves a pattern of behavior repeated over time.
3. Bullying involves an imbalance of power or strength.
Characteristics of bullies and their victims
There are characteristics that a bully maintains to be considered a bully. Also, the victims of a bully
take on characteristics that are unique to them. Children who bully:
* May witness physical and verbal violence or aggression at home. They have a positive view of this
behavior, and they act aggressively toward other people, including adults.
* May hit or push other children.
* Are often physically strong.
* May or may not be popular with other children around their same age.
* Have trouble following rules.
* Show little concern for the feelings of others.
The bully can take on all or some of these characteristics. Not all have to be present to be
considered a bully. Bullying behavior is a "red flag" that a child has not learned to control his or her
aggression (Nickel, 2005. 247-254). There are also characteristics of a victim who is being bullied.
Children who are bullied tend to be:
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