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Integrating multi-disciplinary social science theories and perspectives to understand school bullying and victimisation
Abstract
This chapter provides an overview of multiple social science theories and perspectives in explaining bullying. It is divided into theories and perspectives represented by four major branches of social science: psychology, sociology, anthropology, and political-economics. Scholars have therefore come to realise the importance of integrating psychological theories with social environmental perspectives. The chapter also provides a trans-disciplinary analysis, as well as a singular analysis, of theories and perspectives that move the research beyond a psychologically dominated explanation of bullying. Theories and frameworks that underpin psychological perspectives are attachment theory, social learning theory, social-ecological framework, and theory of stress and coping. Attachment theory is a widely accepted developmental theory that explains the nature of an affectual bond between child and primary caregiver. The possible explanation for the development of school bullying comes from social learning theory, which suggests that “most human behaviour is learned observationally through modeling: from observing others. Anthropology is a discipline with potential to inform research on victimisation.
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Bullying and violence are inseparable from the social structure and inequalities present in the societies where they take place.
“bullying and violence are inseparable from the social structure and inequalities present in the societies where they take place (Hong et al. 2018; Pascoe, 2013).”
From “It’s just a joke”: gender, sexuality and trivialisation in adolescent online violence such as cyberhate, cyberbullying, and online grooming (2025) · cites this paper as Hong et al. 2018
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“In fact, Hong et al. (2018) argue that researchers should not separate harassment from social structure and inequalities.”
Comparing adolescent self-regulation among aggressors, victims and non-victims of bullying
Fivaz, H. (2019) · Boloka Institutional Repository (North-west University)
Filatova, V. (2023) · Вестник антропологии (Herald of Anthropology) · doi:10.33876/2311-0546/2023-1/277-299
Horton, P., Webb, A., & Forsberg, C. (2026) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-24572-4_1
Metadata
- Authors
- Hong, J. S., Espelage, D. L., Hunter, S. C., & Allen-Meares, P.
- Affiliations
- Wayne State University (US)
- Florida State University (US)
- Venue
- The Routledge International Handbook of Human Aggression
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Published
- 2018-01-03
- Pages
- 109-120
- OpenAlex
- W2790840247
- Cited by
- 10
- References
- 80
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 5.26
- Type
- book chapter
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Routledge eBooks (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Workplace Violence and Bullying
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Education for Peace and Conflict Resolution
- Keywords
- school bullying, bullying victimization, social science theory, attachment theory, social learning theory, socio-ecological framework, stress and coping theory, victimization
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