Question

• Review the case study below:

On the second day of eighth grade, an older girl shoved Emily into the road. Thinking she was playing, Emily shoved her back. Rumors began circulating within the school, and Emily gained a reputation as being aggressive. The older girl was part of a group of girls who continued to spread rumors about Emily; they also began stalking her during gym class. Some of the teachers, believing the rumors about Emily, accused her of bullying the other girl, and cautioned her parents about her behavior.

Roughly once every 2 weeks, Emily's parents would meet with the principal to try to convince him that Emily was the victim. No one in authority admitted that bullying existed at the school. Nothing was done.

For 3 years, the bullying continued with silent phone calls, threats, and occasional physical incidents. Each time after Emily or her parents complained, the teachers would glare at her in the hallway. After the bully graduated, the rest of the group of girls continued the bullying. Once, when they cornered Emily against the wall, a teacher approached them and threatened Emily with further punishment if she continued her behavior. The teacher then sent the other girls back to class.

• Analyze the scenario in the case study using either SCT or social networks and social supports by considering how the model or theory you selected might be used to explain and address the bullying behavior in the scenario.   

By Day 4

Post an explanation of how SCT or social networks and social supports might explain the bullying behavior in the case study. Then explain how the bullying behavior might be addressed within the framework of the theory or model you selected. Support your response with specific references to the Learning Resources.

Read a selection of your classmates’ postings.

Answer 1

The case shows bullying behavior in the classroom settings. The older girl start the bullying behavior by the second day of the class. Emily take it normal, she thought that it is normal and the older girl want to play with her. So, she give response as she received the stimulus from the older girl. For to understand the case, we have to know about both the concepts completely.

SCT that is Social Cognitive Theory

  Social Cognitive Theory is the cognitive formulation of Social Learning Theory given by Albert Bandura. SCT defines that learning is takes place by observing others by social interactions, experiences and media influences. It is mostly used in education and psychology. SCT have some basic assumptions ;

1. Modeling: People learn by observing others.A model is a person who demonstrate the behavior which a learner want to replicate.
2. Internal process: Learning is an internal process. It is not always a model who promote a behavior, sometimes the individual have his own internal feelings to perform an action.
3. Goal directed behavior: SCT propose that people set goals for themselves, which they want to achieve. They are motivated to achieve that goal internally for their self satisfaction.
4. Reinforcement and punishment: Sometimes people form expectations about the consequences of a particular behavior. If the outcome are reinforcing then they are more likely to do that action o, on the other, hand if the action lead to punishment, then the person avoid the action or behavior.

Social networks and social supports

Social support, in general terms, may be defined as the various ways in which an individual aid others. One can gain social support from his family, teachers, friend, etc.Social support is very beneficial for the well-being of the individual. It helps you to enhance confidence and positive self-image.

A social network is a social structure in which the individual interact and communicate with others. There are various social network, for example, facebook, instagram, whatsapp, etc. These all are online social platforms where an individual interact with others.

Now, the case given, had two main characters, that is, the older girl and a girl named Emily. As it is clear from the details given, the older girl was the previous student of the school. She had friends and she also know all the teachers and principal. She had a good social support in the school .

On the other hand, Emily was new in the school she does not know anyone in the school and she want to make new friends there. So she take the older girl's push for granted and shoved her back with an intention of playing. But the older girl take it as her insult and she spread rumors that Emily is an aggressive girl. As the girl had good social support, everyone believe her.

The girl had a good image in the school in front of her teachers and the teacher did not except that bullying existed in school before Emily had entered in the school.

As the girl had support of her friends and teachers, she along with her friends continued bullying Emily. Even when Emily's parent complained about the bullying in the school, the had a negative image of Emily in their eyes.  

Bullying is a serious criminal offence in approximately every country. It should be stopped. These type of behaviors of the bullying students and teachers can develop Serious Psychological Disorders (SPD). These behaviors should be avoided. Social support should be provided not to the bullying students but to the bullied individual. social support can help a lot in prevalence of SPD.