How do different approaches explain bullying, and how can bullying behaviour be reduced?
Bullying behaviour: the nature of bullying (including cyberbullying), explanations from the approaches (evolutionary/biological, learning/social learning, individual differences), and methods of reducing it (anti-bullying programmes and interventions). One of six Component 3 behaviours.
An Eduqas A-Level Psychology answer to bullying behaviour, one of the six Component 3 behaviours. Covers the nature of bullying and cyberbullying, evolutionary, social-learning and individual-differences explanations, and methods of reducing bullying (anti-bullying programmes), with evaluation for the Implications in the Real World paper.
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What this dot point is asking
Bullying behaviour is one of the six Component 3 behaviours (you study three). You must describe the nature of bullying, explain it using the approaches, and describe at least one method of reducing it, then evaluate and apply this.
The answer
The nature of bullying
Explanations
Methods of reducing bullying
- Whole-school programmes. The Olweus-style approach: clear rules and consequences, supervision, support for victims, work with bystanders, and staff and parent involvement, to change the social environment.
- Bystander interventions. Empower peers to intervene and not reinforce bullying.
- Social and emotional learning. Build empathy, social skills and prosocial norms.
- Cyberbullying measures. Education, reporting tools and monitoring for online behaviour.
Examples in context
Example 1. Why bystanders matter. If bystanders laugh or watch, they reinforce the bully's status; if they object or support the victim, they remove that reinforcement. This applies the learning explanation and is why effective programmes target bystanders, not just bullies.
Example 2. Cyberbullying's new challenges. Online, bullying can be anonymous, constant and public, so traditional supervision is harder. This shows why anti-bullying methods must adapt (education, reporting, monitoring) and why the behaviour is a live "real-world" issue.
Try this
Q1. Define bullying, including the feature that distinguishes it from a one-off conflict. [2 marks]
- Cue. Repeated, intentional aggressive behaviour involving a power imbalance between bully and victim (the repetition and power imbalance are key).
Q2. Explain a social learning explanation of bullying. [3 marks]
- Cue. Bullying is observed and imitated from models who are reinforced for aggression, and it is maintained by reinforcement when the bully gains status or goods, often supported by the peer group.
Q3. Name one method of reducing bullying and how it works. [2 marks]
- Cue. A whole-school anti-bullying programme combines clear rules, supervision, support for victims and bystander work to change the social environment (or bystander interventions to remove reinforcement).
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas 201910 marksDescribe two explanations of bullying behaviour. [10 marks]Show worked answer →
A description item testing explanations from the approaches (AO1).
Evolutionary/biological explanation: bullying may be an adaptive strategy to gain dominance, status and resources, increasing access to mates and reducing rivals; aggression may also have biological correlates (testosterone, low serotonin).
Learning (social learning) explanation: bullying is learned by observation and imitation of models who are reinforced for aggression (for example a bully who gains status), and it is maintained by reinforcement (the bully gets what they want); a peer group can reinforce and sustain it.
An individual-differences explanation could also be used: bullies and victims differ in traits (for example bullies higher in dominance, victims in anxiety) and bullying links to the wider social environment and power imbalance.
Markers reward two clearly different, accurate explanations with mechanisms.
Eduqas 202112 marksDiscuss one method of reducing bullying behaviour. [12 marks]Show worked answer →
A discussion item (AO1 plus AO3) reaching a judgement.
A strong answer describes one method, for example a whole-school anti-bullying programme (such as the approach pioneered by Olweus), which combines clear rules and consequences, supervision, support for victims, work with bystanders, and involvement of staff and parents to change the social environment that allows bullying.
It then evaluates: evidence that whole-school programmes can reduce bullying, but effects vary, implementation must be sustained and consistent, programmes addressing only the bully (not bystanders or environment) are less effective, and cyberbullying poses new challenges.
It reaches a judgement: reducing bullying works best through a sustained, whole-school approach that changes norms and engages bystanders, rather than punishing individuals alone. Markers reward an accurate method, balanced evaluation and a conclusion.
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Sources & how we know this
- Eduqas GCE A Level in Psychology (A290) specification — Eduqas (2015)