ONLINE AGGRESSION

Cyberbullying is an increasingly consequential social problem, one that has compelled the interest of social psychologists. Social learning theory is instructive here. We know that people repeat behaviors that lead to rewarding outcomes. By asking what exactly is rewarding the bullying behavior, social psychological research can identify the reasons why cyberbullying persists.

For this Discussion, you will examine what is rewarding adolescent-aged cyberbullying behavior from the perspective of a social psychologist, as well as consider strategies to assist teachers and parents.

TO PREPARE

• Review the Learning Resources for this week and examine how social psychology theories and research explain the dynamics of cyberbullying among adolescents. Post an explanation of what is rewarding the adolescent-aged cyberbullying behavior. Your explanation should be informed by social psychology theory and research.
  

  LEARNING RESOURCES

  Required Readings

• Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., Akert, R. M., & Sommers, S. R. (Eds.). (2019). Social psychology (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
  • Chapter 12, “Aggression: Why Do We Hurt Other People? Can We Prevent It?”
• Note: Viewing media and interactives embedded in the electronic version of this course text is not required for this course.
• Watts, L. K., Wagner, J., Velasquez, B., & Behrens, P. I. (2017). Cyberbullying in higher education: A literature review. Computers in Human Behavior,Links to an external site. 69, 268–274. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2016.12.038
• Romer, D., Jamieson, P. E., Bushman, B. J., Bleakley, A., Wang, A., Langleben, D., & Jamieson, K. H. (2014). Parental desensitization to violence and sex in moviesLinks to an external site.. Pediatrics 134(5), 877–884. doi:10.1542/peds.2014-1167
• Moller, A. C., & Deci, E. L. (2010). Interpersonal control, dehumanization, and violence: A selfdetermination theory perspective. Group Processes & Intergroup RelationsLinks to an external site., 13(1), 41– 53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1368430209350318