Bullying is an unwanted aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is normally repeated over time. In addition, the behavior is targeted at specific individuals by specific individuals. There is a protagonist and a victim in each situation. The protagonist is seen as the leader in the act of bullying. Often, the protagonist is accompanied by "henchmen" (those lower in the dominance hierarchy who want the approval of the protagonist). Bullying is always mean-spirited, harmful, and totally unnecessary. As you can tell from the cycle of bullying, there are many intricate parts to what occurs and can occur. Many people have the opportunity to stop these horrible acts, and yet they don't. The graphic above provides a detailed description of all the potential participants in an act of bullying, and what role the participants play. As anyone can tell, a bullying case can have many particular roles to be played, and no matter how many people are involved, the harm that can be caused is endless.These days, adults have endured bullying too.
Bullying is something that most people, when asked, will associate with school-aged children. Whether it is a schoolyard bully, or a cafeteria bully, the crime always tends to be associated with children prior to their mature, adult years. In fact, around 77% of kids claim they have been the victim of a bully, or are currently a victim of bullying.
Surprisingly, accounts have shown that bullying is not an issue reserved to just children and young adults. A recent survey done, has shown that one in every six adults suffer from bullying the workplace! According to the Workplace Bullying Institute, roughly one-third of our countries workforce has experienced bullying. Experts from the New York Healthy Workplace Advocates have said that adult bullying could come from a boss, a manager, or a colleague of any type.
Among adults, bullying is much less often physical than with kids, yet, still very aggressive. It is normally verbal, involving the spreading of rumors and name calling. It also can deal with relationships in that it causes some to feel left-out and isolated. The harm caused by bullying is extensive and not only limited to the victim. For example, take a workplace bully who is picking on a fellow colleague. The bully's behavior can, in fact, heavily disrupt productivity in the workplace. In addition, it will potentially create a hostile work environment and reduce morale. If the problems escalate, these issues can lead to even more dire problems, such as putting the company at risk of lawsuits.
Surprisingly, accounts have shown that bullying is not an issue reserved to just children and young adults. A recent survey done, has shown that one in every six adults suffer from bullying the workplace! According to the Workplace Bullying Institute, roughly one-third of our countries workforce has experienced bullying. Experts from the New York Healthy Workplace Advocates have said that adult bullying could come from a boss, a manager, or a colleague of any type.
Among adults, bullying is much less often physical than with kids, yet, still very aggressive. It is normally verbal, involving the spreading of rumors and name calling. It also can deal with relationships in that it causes some to feel left-out and isolated. The harm caused by bullying is extensive and not only limited to the victim. For example, take a workplace bully who is picking on a fellow colleague. The bully's behavior can, in fact, heavily disrupt productivity in the workplace. In addition, it will potentially create a hostile work environment and reduce morale. If the problems escalate, these issues can lead to even more dire problems, such as putting the company at risk of lawsuits.
Even the National Football League is riddled with a bullying problem.
As previously mentioned, much of society is not aware of adult bullying. This is mainly due to the fact that it is not heavily publicized. However, that awareness recently changed when an incident occurred in a very high-profile situation. A report leaked in the past month that was a falling out in the National Football League team Miami Dolphin's locker room. Offensive lineman Jonathan Martin had to take a leave of absence following incessant bullying and hazing from fellow position-mate Richie Incognito.
Although not often discussed, hazing in the locker room's of professional sports teams is not an uncommon practice. The rational behind it, as crazy as it sounds, is supposedly to "toughen up" a player. I went to the Kinesiology offices at UMD to ask Professor Adam Beissel about his opinions on the subject- more specifically, how typical this hazing behavior is:
Hazing behavior seems to suggest that smart people can be persuaded to act stupidly if the "cultural" norms are views as part-and-parcel of their self-identities. Also, the pressure to conform is especially strong if one doesn't have a strong sense of self to begin with.
This case is a classic example of workplace bullying. Workplace bullying is very severe because it often keeps the victim in close proximity to their bully, in addition to the fact that each person's livelihood is at stake. In Martin's case, his harassment was on the job, and, surprisingly, off the field as well. He was reportedly called names, socially isolated, and purposely embarrassed for the entertainment of other veteran players. The final straw in this incident was Martin being left alone at a table in the team cafeteria--social isolation. Pretty hard to imagine grown men doing these things, right? Another key in this situation to note is that this bullying behavior on Incognito's part is something he's been doing his whole career. In 2012, Richie Incognito was voted the NFL's second-dirtiest player, in a survey, BY PLAYERS. Previously in 2009, he was voted the leagues number 1 dirtiest player.
The most important takeaway from this severe incident is the fact that bullying does not end with high-school graduation. Anyone can be a victim of bullying, even if you are a Stanford-educated, 300-pound professional football player. However, everyone needs to realize that Incognito's past behavior is a testimony to his lack of good judgement, both on-and-off the field.
Although not often discussed, hazing in the locker room's of professional sports teams is not an uncommon practice. The rational behind it, as crazy as it sounds, is supposedly to "toughen up" a player. I went to the Kinesiology offices at UMD to ask Professor Adam Beissel about his opinions on the subject- more specifically, how typical this hazing behavior is:
Hazing behavior seems to suggest that smart people can be persuaded to act stupidly if the "cultural" norms are views as part-and-parcel of their self-identities. Also, the pressure to conform is especially strong if one doesn't have a strong sense of self to begin with.
This case is a classic example of workplace bullying. Workplace bullying is very severe because it often keeps the victim in close proximity to their bully, in addition to the fact that each person's livelihood is at stake. In Martin's case, his harassment was on the job, and, surprisingly, off the field as well. He was reportedly called names, socially isolated, and purposely embarrassed for the entertainment of other veteran players. The final straw in this incident was Martin being left alone at a table in the team cafeteria--social isolation. Pretty hard to imagine grown men doing these things, right? Another key in this situation to note is that this bullying behavior on Incognito's part is something he's been doing his whole career. In 2012, Richie Incognito was voted the NFL's second-dirtiest player, in a survey, BY PLAYERS. Previously in 2009, he was voted the leagues number 1 dirtiest player.
The most important takeaway from this severe incident is the fact that bullying does not end with high-school graduation. Anyone can be a victim of bullying, even if you are a Stanford-educated, 300-pound professional football player. However, everyone needs to realize that Incognito's past behavior is a testimony to his lack of good judgement, both on-and-off the field.
The media tends to exaggerate the harm of bullying in high-profile situations.
While the incident that occurred in and out of the Miami Dolphins locker room between Martin and Incognito is certainly very serious, it does seem as though the media might have blown the whole thing a little out of proportion.
Incognito reportedly left a voicemail for teammate Jonathan Martin in which he referred to Martin as a "half n***** piece of s***." It is very possible that the racist element provided by Richie Incognito stirred up the media frenzy far beyond what it should have been. When asked to share his thought, Professor Adam Beissel agreed that the incorporation of the "N" word made for a more attractive occurrence to the media:
All in all, it seems as though there was a time when the relationship between Incognito and Martin was solely friendly. However, it apparently took a turn for the worse. The most important thing to realize from what occurred is that bullying or harassment is something that is far too common among adults in the workplace. Plain and simply, it is not issue reserved for elementary aged children and teenagers. Bullying is an issue for all ages and everyone must do there own part to bring the harm to an end.
Incognito reportedly left a voicemail for teammate Jonathan Martin in which he referred to Martin as a "half n***** piece of s***." It is very possible that the racist element provided by Richie Incognito stirred up the media frenzy far beyond what it should have been. When asked to share his thought, Professor Adam Beissel agreed that the incorporation of the "N" word made for a more attractive occurrence to the media:
All in all, it seems as though there was a time when the relationship between Incognito and Martin was solely friendly. However, it apparently took a turn for the worse. The most important thing to realize from what occurred is that bullying or harassment is something that is far too common among adults in the workplace. Plain and simply, it is not issue reserved for elementary aged children and teenagers. Bullying is an issue for all ages and everyone must do there own part to bring the harm to an end.
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