Lecture 19: Bullying (Part 2) and Deviant Peers

Question 1

What is cyberbullying, and how does it differ from traditional bullying?

Answer 1

• Cyberbullying involves repeated, intentional harm using digital platforms.
• Differences: Anonymity, wider reach, faster impact, and 24/7 accessibility.

Study: Olweus & Limber (2018): Found cyberbullying prevalence to range from 3–50%, with significant overlap with traditional bullying.

Question 2

What are the forms of cyberbullying?

Answer 2

• Direct: Harmful messages sent directly to victims.
• Indirect: Harmful messages forwarded to third parties.

Study: Halliday et al. (2022): Monthly cyberbullying rates in adolescents aged 10–13 showed high variability across platforms.

Question 2

What is homophily in deviant peer relationships?

Answer 2

• The tendency for like-minded individuals to form friendships, reinforcing behaviors through selection and socialization.

Study: Snyder et al. (1997): Observed preschoolers’ aggressive tendencies increasing when paired with similar peers.

Question 2

What did Wolke et al. (2017) find about the overlap between cyberbullying and traditional bullying?

Answer 2

Only 1% of adolescents were exclusively cyberbullied, while 29% experienced bullying in general.

Methodology: Surveyed 2,745 adolescents aged 11–16 about bullying experiences.

Question 3

What is deviancy training?

Answer 3

• Peer interactions reinforce aggressive or rule-breaking behaviors through approval or laughter.

Study: Patterson et al. (1967): Preschoolers’ aggressive responses were rewarded by peers, predicting future antisocial behavior.

Question 4

What are the long-term consequences of deviant peer relationships?

Answer 4

• Increased risks of substance use, criminality, school failure, and violence.

Study: Dijkstra et al. (2010): Peer interactions significantly influenced weapon carrying and violent behavior.

Question 5

What did Piehler & Dishion (2007) find about deviant talk in peer dyads?

Answer 5

• Adolescents with high levels of deviant talk showed increased antisocial behavior.

Methodology: 45-minute conversations coded for mutuality and deviant talk among 120 adolescents aged 16–17.

Question 6

How does peer contagion affect body image?

Answer 6

• Appearance-based teasing predicts body dissatisfaction, which is reinforced within friendship groups.

Study: Lampard et al. (2014): Weight-related teasing linked to unhealthy weight-control practices.
Methodology: Surveys and observational studies.

Question 7

What factors moderate peer contagion effects?

Answer 7

1. Target Characteristics: Gender, social anxiety, self-regulation.
2. Peer Characteristics: Popularity, status.
3. Relationship Quality: Closeness and positivity.

Study: Prinstein (2007): Found boys were more influenced in low-quality friendships, while girls were influenced by popular peers.

Question 7

How does peer contagion influence depression?

Answer 7

• Depressive symptoms in one adolescent predict similar symptoms in their best friend over time.

Study: Stevens & Prinstein (2005):
Mechanisms: Co-rumination, reassurance seeking, and negative feedback seeking.
Methodology: Longitudinal study tracking depressive symptoms.

Question 8

What did Ehrenreich et al. (2014) find about text-based deviant conversations?

Answer 8

• Discussions about rule-breaking and aggression in text messages predicted increased antisocial behavior.

Methodology: Text message content from 172 9th graders was analyzed over four days

Question 9

How can peer influence be adaptive?

Answer 9

• Positive peer influence fosters belonging, reduces conflict, and supports pro-social behavior.

Study: Laursen & Veenstra (2023): Showed that peer influence could increase academic engagement and group cohesion.

Question 10

How does social rejection impact aggressive behavior?

Answer 10

• Rejected children are more likely to escalate aggressive behaviors over time.

Study: Hay et al. (2004): Peer rejection at age 5 predicted conduct disorders by age 10.
Methodology: Longitudinal study of early peer dynamics.

Question 11

How does deviant peer behavior influence mental health?

Answer 11

• Negative peer influences increase risks for anxiety, depression, and antisocial behavior.

Study: Prinstein (2007): Found depressive contagion in adolescents based on friendship quality and peer status.

Question 12

What are the key findings about cyberbullying and deviant peers?

Answer 12

1. Cyberbullying overlaps significantly with traditional bullying.
2. Deviant peer relationships reinforce antisocial behavior.
3. Peer contagion negatively affects body image, mental health, and behavior.
4. Adaptive peer influence can promote positive socialization.

Question 13

What is the role of anonymity in cyberbullying?

Answer 13

• Anonymity lowers accountability, making it easier for perpetrators to harm victims without fear of direct consequences.

Study: Olweus & Limber (2018): Found anonymity increases the prevalence and severity of cyberbullying incidents.
Methodology: Surveys of adolescents across multiple schools.

Question 14

How does cyberbullying affect victims’ mental health?

Answer 14

• Victims experience heightened anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.

Study: Wang et al. (2014): Cyberbullying victims reported significantly higher rates of psychological distress compared to traditional bullying victims.
Methodology: Cross-sectional survey comparing mental health outcomes.

Question 15

What role does gender play in cyberbullying behavior?

Answer 15

• Girls are more likely to engage in relational cyberbullying (e.g., exclusion, gossip), while boys are more likely to use direct aggression.

Study: Barlett et al. (2013):
Methodology: Gender analysis of cyberbullying patterns in adolescents using self-reports and peer observations.

Question 16

How does peer rejection influence antisocial behavior?

Answer 16

• Peer rejection reinforces aggressive tendencies and social withdrawal, creating a feedback loop of deviant behaviors.

Study: Snyder et al. (1997): Found rejected children were more likely to form deviant peer groups, which reinforced rule-breaking.
Methodology: Longitudinal tracking of peer relationships and behavior.

Question 17

How can positive peer influence reduce cyberbullying?

Answer 17

• Peer-led programs and mentoring can encourage pro-social behavior and reduce bullying incidents.

Study: Evaluations of anti-cyberbullying initiatives like peer mediation programs.
Methodology: Comparative analysis of schools with and without peer-led intervention programs.