Problem:
The anonymity reduces accountability by increasing psychological distance, resulting in increased aggression. When adolescents feel less identifiable online, they lose self-awareness, care less regarding social norms, and become more likely (Aronson et al., 2023) to exercise aggression.
Psychological distancing dehumanizes victims, which permits aggressors to view targets abstractly. Usernames do not inspire restraint the way individual names do.
The self-determination undermines empathy, shedding restraints, and bellowing aggression are essential to asserting the desired interpersonal control. Adolescent cyberbullies feel rewarded by exerting control over others. The key is being without immediate emotional consequences. (Moller and Deci et al., 2010)
Understanding the motivations of power and status is central to the dynamics of adolescent cyberbullying. Adolescence is a period of development marked by elevated sensitivity to group opinion and hierarchy.
The public shaming on online platforms suggests a humiliation of others to gain social power, and this aggression is a strategy to gain group dominance. The cyberbullying elevates perpetrators to a perceived status on a group social level and concomitantly marginalizes out-group members.
In conclusion, social psychology theories and research explain adolescent cyberbullying as a learned, reinforced behavior driven by social rewards, power dynamics, and psychological needs. Need Assignment Help?
Respond to at least two colleagues and answer the following question:
How might the findings described by your colleague be used to inform helpful strategies for teachers and parents dealing with an adolescent cyberbully?
Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the social psychology theory and research. In addition to the Learning Resources, search the Walden Library and/or Internet for peer-reviewed articles to support your post and responses. Use proper APA format and citations, including those in the Learning Resources.
References
Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., Sommers, S. R., Page-Gould, E., & Lewis Jr., N. (Eds.). (2023). Social psychology (11th ed.). Pearson.
Chapter 12, "Aggression: Why Do We Hurt Other People? Can We Prevent It?"
Watts, L. K., Wagner, J., Velasquez, B., & Behrens, P. I. (2017). Cyberbullying in higher education: A literature review. Computers in Human Behavior, 69, 268-274.
Moller, A. C., & Deci, E. L. (2010). Interpersonal control, dehumanization, and violence: A selfdetermination theory perspective. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 13(1), 41- 53.