Behavioral norms, moral judgments, and social approval of participant roles in school bullying in a Singapore sample

Abstract

This study examines behavioral norms, moral judgments, and social approval of participant roles in classroom physical, verbal, and relational bullying, including a relatively new reporter role (where nothing is done during the bullying but there is subsequent reporting to a teacher). A sample of 1,131 Secondary 1 (mean age = 12 years 7 months) and Secondary 3 (mean age = 14 years 8 months) students in Singapore are given hypothetical situations and norms, judgments, and approval of the participant roles sought. Roles are found to differ in norms, judgments, and approval, with the reporter role judged as rather likely but less likely judged as right or with approval compared to other roles. In addition, participant role and secondary level interact for norms, judgments, and approval. Participant role also interacts with gender for judgments and approval and with bullying type for norms and approval. The reporter role is thus one worth further investigation. © The Author(s) 2011.