Bystander behaviour as an influence on bullying in high schools

In response to evidence that bullying in schools persists in the presence of bystanders, this study sought to add to the existing knowledge about its reinforcing effects. The objectives of this research project were to investigate non-intervention in bullying incidents by students. Unique approaches of this research are the multi-dimensional investigation of the emotional, cognitive and behavioural factors from the bystander's perspective, within the context of a co-educational Catholic high school, in a sample of eighteen Year 8 students. In-depth and group interviews, participant observation and the input of a focus group of teachers formed the data collection. Previous findings that fear prevents bystanders from taking action, were extended by this study which revealed was that there are several sources of this fear. The study found reasons for students' fear included embarrassment at making a mistake, the importance of the teachers' responses, the need to assimilate into the new school culture, to be 'cool' and to avoid a negative, conforming self-image. Importantly, the existing focus on fear does not explain why students do not anonymously report bullying. This study found that students resisted taking responsibility for intervening, and unexpected findings included that students categorised victims, only caring enough to report bullying if the victim were a friend or sibling; and also that the thrill of watching bullying was a strong deterrent to bystander intervention. The study suggests, therefore, information based anti-bullying policies will be ineffective unless students are motivated to intervene. It is crucial that programmes now address the emotional deterrents of fear, excitement and apathy before considering educational approaches, and that future policies need to examine the culture of the school, including teachers' responses to bullying, which dictates the behavioural code for incoming Year 8 students.