Teacher Empathy and Its Impact on Bullying in Schools

Chapter 2 : Literature Review

Introduction

The literary review looks at different aspects related to the research . The first part of the chapter looks at defining and identifying key aspects of bullying . It looks at the general occurrence of bullying and the researches that indicate the extent of bullying in the different parts of the world . The section then dwells on the different types of bullying and how it can affect the individuals involved . One of the key aspects of bullying in the modern world , cyber bullying is also treated in this

section . The different characteristics and elements involved in bullying are treated to understand the phenomenon of bullying . The section then looks at the different theories that could explain the bullying behaviour . An important section of this section is the role of teachers in overall bullying scenario . It also discusses the different intervention methods currently used

The second section of chapter deals with the second aspect of bullying namely , empathy . It looks at the definition and historical evolution of empathy . It also looks at the aspects related to the definition and how it is differentiated from other similar terms often used . The section also looks into the use of empathy in related fields of healthcare . The section specifically looks that researches done on the relationship between bullying and empathy as well . The section finally looks at empathy in relation to teachers

Bullying

Defining bullying

Smith ,

. K . et al (2000 ) defines bullying as a form of antisocial behaviour that is found in schools , neighbourhoods and homes

Olweus , D (1986 , 1993 ) defines being bullied or victimized as the following

A person is bullied when he or she is exposed repeatedly and over time to negative actions on the part of one or more other persons . Olweus adds the negative and harmful factor of bullying to the definition

Richter , N (2005 ) defines bullying in the following way

A bully is a person who hurts or browbeats those who are weaker Browbeat means to intimidate with harsh , stern looks and talk

American Medical Association defines bullying as a negative behaviour that involves a pattern of repeated aggression against the victim deliberate intent to harm or disturb despite apparent distress of the victim and a real or perceived imbalance of power with the more powerful individual or group attacking a physically or psychologically vulnerable victim

Richter and AMA add the factor of imbalance of power to the definition of bullying

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Diss defines bullying as psychiatric dis that is characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behaviour in which either the basic rights of the victim is violated

The phenomenon of bullying is characterised by three major aspects (1 An aggressive behaviour or intentional behaviour to bring harm (2 ) It is carried out repeatedly and over time (3 ) the inter-personal relationship is characterized by an imbalance of power . Often bullying is found to happen without any apparent provocation . Hence bullying can be considered as a form...