The Perception of Teenagers on the Bully: With the subject of primary, middle and high school students

Chung, Hae Kyung; Kim, Kyung Hee

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate characteristics of teenagers' perceptions to bullies according to the classification types of Q-methodology. The results of the analysis were classified in 5 types. Type 1, which was the type geared foward solution, showed that they expressed a strong attitude of sympathy and protection towards the victim. However, they had harbored rage and hostile feelings against the assaulter. For example, when they witnessed the bully in action, they positively intervened in the situation. Type 2, which was the observer type, showed that they thought the victims were to blame for their misfortune. Also, when a friend who was left out in the cold by his classmates, they were just watched without showing any special interest. Type 3, which was the type of conflict, indicated that they believed that the both the victim and the assaulter should have responsibility. In contrast to the previous type, they had sympathy for the friend who was left out in the cold by his classmates, they had the dual feeling that intended to use the bully under the situation with his friend. Type 4, which was the type of assenting, indicated that they assumed an indifferent attitude to the situation, while they implied assenting to the situation of the friend who had a bad relationship with them. Type 5, which was the negative type, showed that they had the negative view to the situation of bully itself so that they did not recognize the bully as the method of revenge for whatever reason. The results of the study showed that the bully increased the factor of stress to school life of the victim or assaulter, even in the subjective position. The perception of the bully should change according to the characteristics of the types of people and it is necessary to study how to cope with the situations.