Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

Bullying from a sociocultural perspective

Maunder, R. and Crafter, S. (2012) Bullying from a sociocultural perspective. Paper presented to: Patchwork. Learning Diversities, University of Belgrade, Serbia, 29 August - 01 September 2012. (Unpublished)

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Abstract: School bullying is an important concern for children, parents, schools and policy makers and it has received a huge amount of research and media interest. Whilst there is growing knowledge obtained from empirical work about the nature, extent and effects of bullying, there are areas of complexity in the findings. We propose that one of the issues with bullying research is a lack of emphasis on the theoretical underpinnings which might go some way to explain these complexities. In this paper we will develop our thinking on the phenomenon of bullying using a sociocultural theoretical framework. In order to explicate this, we will provide a review of existing literature on school bullying around five main themes: 1) The problem of defining bullying; 2) The relational aspects of bullying 3) Evolution of bullying with cultural shifts 4) Bullying as a normalised practice; and 5) Bullying as part of someone’s life trajectory. We will review some empirical findings to highlight key issues, and present arguments from relevant sociocultural theories which could add insight in each case. We will also show how varying strands of research into bullying can be integrated together through adopting a sociocultural approach and provide explanations for findings identified in research literature. In the course of our paper, we will draw on three theoretical frameworks in order to justify and support our premise that bullying needs to be viewed in relation to social, cultural and historical factors: (i) Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model (1979); (ii) Community of Practice (Wenger, 1998); and (iii) the concept of leading activities (Beach, 1995). We will conclude by suggesting some implications for practice which arise from taking a sociocultural view of bullying
Subjects: L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB3013 Classroom management and student behaviour > LB3013.32 Bullying in schools
B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF636 Applied psychology > BF637.B85 Bullying
Creators: Maunder, Rachel and Crafter, Sarah
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Group > Social and Cultural Research in Psychology Group
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > School of Social Sciences (to 2016)
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
Research Centres > Centre for Psychology and Social Sciences
Date: 31 August 2012
Date Type: Presentation
Event Title: Patchwork. Learning Diversities
Event Dates: 29 August - 01 September 2012
Event Location: University of Belgrade, Serbia
Event Type: Conference
Language: English
Status: Unpublished
Refereed: Yes
Related URLs:
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/4401

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