Group Processes Influencing Bullies And Bullying Behavior

There are numerous group processes that are likely to influence bullies and bullying behavior. People join groups for a sense of belonging. In each group there is a level of cohesiveness, a set of norms and different roles for people to play (Kassin, Fein, & Markus, 2014). Each group usually has a leader. If the leader happens to be a bully, the norm of the group might be to bully others. The leader might pressure others to conform to his bullying ways and it is quite possible that he will use bullying tactics to get the conformity that he wants. His followers may develop deindividuation or the loss of their individuality (Kassin, Fein, & Markus, 2014). While they may not have been bullies on their own, they will bully as part of the group. Social identity theory states that an individual’s identity is formed through the social groups he or she is a part of (Jones, Manstead, & Livingstone, 2011).Children look at their own groups as being positive, even if the group was described as participating in bullying (Jones, Manstead, & Livingstone, 2011). https://donforsythgroups.wordpress.com/2013/11/10/bullying-aggression-inside-the-group/ This link has more information on bullying being a group process. …show more content…
Approximately 20% reported that they would join in with a bully (Sutton & Smith, 1999). Bullies report wanting to feel powerful and look cool (Sutton & Smith, 1999). If others think they look cool and are powerful, joining in might be very appealing. Bullies may include victims in their group just as victims may include victims. Both roles may be filled in different ways. Other roles that often occur in bullies’ groups are reinforcer, assistant, defender, and outsider (Sutton & Smith,