Aggression & Bullying Behaviors

Who Can Use This Information?

Parents, Teachers, Principals, Behavior Specialists, School Counselors,
Social Workers, and Psychologists

What is Aggression & Bullying Behavior?

Aggression in and of itself is not a mental illness. Although aggression is displayed as a symptom of various mental illnesses and is seen as a learned phenomena it also has a biological etiology. The limbic system of the brain controls one's flight or flight reaction when one has the perception of imminent danger to self, blood is diverted from non-essential parts of the body to organs necessary for survival. Thus, organs such as the eyes, ears, and muscles of the legs, arms and feet are fed extra amounts of blood to give these body parts more energy. This extra amount of blood comes from the brain, stomach, etc in the preparation for fight or flight.

Often time's aggression has a psychological component. Environmental situations can trigger angry/aggressive outbursts. It should be understood that except for certain serious mental health illnesses such as Antisocial Personality Disorder (Sociopath), Sadism, Borderline Personality or Narcissistic Personality Disorder, aggression is born of anger. However, anger is a very natural emotion just as sadness and happiness. But anger does not have to lead to aggression. Often time's children and adolescents assume that if you are angry, aggression should follow.

Those most at risk of pairing anger with aggression are those for whom aggression has been role modeled as the primary method of resolving disputes, communicating, solving problems and/or getting one's way. This is generally learned by observing parents, significant others or in the environment such as the neighborhood or school.

Bullying is a common experience for many children growing up. According to the National Association of School Psychologists, about one in seven school children (5 million kids) has either been a bully or a victim. Children who experience persistent bullying may become depressed or fearful. They may even lose interest in going to school or being involved in church or other activities. Bullying should not be dismissed as a harmless schoolyard rite of passage; according to another report bullies and their victims often develop behavioral and emotional problems later in life. Bullying spawns loneliness, depression and suicidal tendencies among victims and foreshadows crime, violence and possible prison for the future of perpetrators.

Symptoms of Bullying

Children who act violently have trouble controlling their feelings can find themselves isolated and disliked. As a result, they may feel angry and even more likely to act out. Some of the warning signs that violence is a serious possibility are:

• Loses temper including tantrums and uncontrollable outbursts
• Shows extreme mood swings
• Is involved in frequent physical fighting
• Verbalizes plans to commit acts of violence
• Enjoys hurting animals
• Employs name calling, cursing or abusive language
• Makes violent threats when angry
• Has little or no supervision from parent or guardian
• Is a witness or victim of abuse in the home

Causes of Bullying Behavior

No single factor can be cited as the cause for school violence. Research indicated that school violence is the result of a combination of factors that place a child at an increased risk of committing a violent act at school and home. These factors include the following:

Mass Media: It is no secret that we as Americans glorify violence. This is seen in the television programs, movies and videos our children and we watch. This mass media onslaught of violence affects children of all ages, genders, races and socioeconomic levels. Too often children begin to imitate the violent behavior seen and become less sensitive to the pain of others. Improved technology has allowed violent electronic games to become visually more explicit and gruesome.

Psychological: Pressure to succeed can take a physical and emotional toll on a child's body and may bring on illnesses and in some cases, uncontrollable behaviors. Children with low self-esteem may feel that they are worthless and that their peers, teachers and families disapprove of them. Such children may resort to violence to get attention. Research suggests that violence is a learned behavior. Children who are abused at home tend to perpetuate the cycle of violence outside the home. And of course there are those children with mental illnesses that instigate violent behaviors.

Environmental: In some cases, gangs provide vulnerable teens with a false sense of family and security. Gangs prey on confused and lonely teens and often lead them on a path of self-destruction. With one and more parent(s) working outside the home, it is very important to offer children after-school activities. According to juvenile crime statistics the majority of juvenile delinquent crimes occur between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM on the weekdays. The peak time for violent juvenile crime is 3:00 PM during the week.

Benefits of the Aggression & Bullying Behaviors Material

No single factor can be cited as the cause for school violence. Research indicates that school violence is the result of a combination of factors that place a child at an increased risk of committing a violent act at school and home. Clearly since, post-Columbine and other school killings, most realize that bullying is not just "kids being kids". As such, bullying is increasingly recognized as a serious problem in schools throughout the United States. Here you will learn how to identify at risk persons and situations and intervene early, before someone gets seriously hurt.

Aggression & Bullying Behaviors Material Outline

I.	Aggression
II.	Rage
III.	Hatred
IV.	Social Aggression
V.	Cognitive Aspects of Anger
VI.	Where Anger Comes From
VII.	Resolving Anger
VIII.	Etiology of Bullying Behaviors
IX.	Middle School Bullying
X.	Definitions of Bullying
XI.	Dynamics of a Bully
XII.	Parenting Practices Contributing to Bullying Behaviors
XIII.	How to Encourage Your Child to Give Up Bullying
XIV.	Victim Impact of Bullying
XV.	Signs a Child is Being Bullied
XVI.	Tips to Deter Bullying
XVII.	Resolving School Violence

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Help a Child By Educating Yourself

Learn to identify the symptoms and charactersitics of aggression and bullying, along with what to do if your child is a victim of a bully or if your child is a bully. Dr. Williams provides his in-depth and educational material in various formats, including manuals, audio books, videos, and work books. To order, click here on the links below to purchase your materials. To order educational materials on other behavioral disorders click on this link Behaviorial Disorders Manuals.

Aggression & Bullying Behaviors Material Price "Aggression & Bullying Behaviors" manual $14.95 "Aggression & Bullying Behaviors" manual + audio book + workbook $199.95 "Aggression & Bullying Behaviors" manual + audio book + video + workbook $299.95

Dr Earle H Williams II © 2008