Normative beliefs about cyberbullying: comparisons of Israeli and U.S. youth

Abstract

We examined how normative beliefs about cyberbullying influenced the choice of electronic aggression in hypothetical peer-to-peer scenarios. Data was collected from 1097 Israeli and 1196 U.S. students in grades 5th-10th, who completed self-report surveys examining normative beliefs about cyberbullying, aggressive cyberstrategies, face-to-face verbal and relational aggression, and access to electronic devices. Israeli students had higher levels of all aggression measures than U.S. students, but access to electronic devices was similar across the two countries. Normative beliefs about cyberbullying were positively associated with verbal and relational aggression. In Israeli, normative beliefs in boys were higher than girls in 5th and 6th grade, similar in 7th and 8th grade, and then higher again in 9th and 10th grade. In the U.S., boys had higher normative beliefs about cyberbullying than girls, and older students had higher beliefs than younger students. Findings using logistic regression indicated that normative beliefs about cyberbullying were predictive of Cyber-aggression even when taking into account grade, country, gender, access to electronic devices, and face-to-face relational aggression. Cyber-aggressive strategies were more likely to be present at the highest level of normative beliefs. Ways to change student beliefs using a social cognitive perspective are discussed.

Teachers' aggressive behaviors: what is considered acceptable and why?

“…Teachers should understand that using aggressive behavior as a strategy for disciplining students decreases their ability to treat students with dignity, to empathize with students, and to motivate students to perform better ( Mohr, 2013 ). Although the acceptance and rejection of aggressive behavior is not always related to behavior, but this (un)acceptability can influence individuals to think of aggressive strategies ( Peled et al., 2019 ). In their study, Peled et al.…”

“…Although the acceptance and rejection of aggressive behavior is not always related to behavior, but this (un)acceptability can influence individuals to think of aggressive strategies ( Peled et al., 2019 ). In their study, Peled et al. (2019) found that the acceptance of aggressive behavior can predict individuals to choose cyber aggression as an appropriate way.…”