The Characteristics of Students who Become Bullies through School Bullying

Erika Figula; Ferenc Margitics; Ágnes Petneháziné Harsányi

Erika Figula Department of Psychology at College of Nyíregyháza, Hungary
Ferenc Margitics Department of Psychology at College of Nyíregyháza, Hungary
Ágnes Petneháziné Harsányi Department of Psychology at College of Nyíregyháza, Hungary

Keywords: school bullying, socialization, typical emotional reactions

Abstract

In our research we wanted to vnd an answer to the question: what kind of temperament and character traits do students have who become bullies through school bullying, and what their typical emotional reactions are. In the study 410 children (post-primary education at elementary schools), 205 girls and 205 boys took part. In our research we used the following instruments: the Questionnaire on School Bullying, the Hungarian adaptation of Goch’s Family Socializational, the Hungarian adaptation of the Parental Bonding Instrument, the Hungarian version of Cloninger’s Temperament and Character Inventory, and the Hungarian version of Diterentional Emotions Scale. The results of our research show that increased maternal overprotection as well as a rule or conwict oriented family atmosphere stand in the family socialization background of the students who become bullies through school bullying. The personality of bullies is characterized by a novelty seeking temperament, which is associated with an immature character. The emotions of bullies are characterized by feelings of anger and disgust, which force them to take emotion driven actions. They direct anger in an aggressive way towards their peers. The results of the research also revealed the major gender diterences in the examined velds/areas.

Author Biographies

Erika Figula, Department of Psychology at College of Nyíregyháza, Hungary

Dr. Erika Figula, PhD is a doctor of Psychology and a professor; head of the Department of Psychology at the College of Nyíregyháza, and Dean of the Faculty of Teacher Training. She is the leader/head of the School Bullying Research Team in the Department of Psychology. Her main research veld/area is the study of the background factors of school bullying.

College of Nyíregyháza, Faculty of Teacher Training, Department of Psychology Sóstói street 31/b, 4400 Nyíregyháza, Hungary

phone number: +36/42 599 472

Ferenc Margitics, Department of Psychology at College of Nyíregyháza, Hungary

Dr. Ferenc Margitics PhD is a doctor of Psychology, professor, the teacher of the Faculty of Teacher Training of the Department of Psychology at the College of Nyíregyháza. He is the leader/head of the Health Psychology Research Team of the Department of Psychology, the member of the School Bullying Research Team. His main research veld/area is the connection between spiritual and mental health and the study of the background factors of school bullying.

College of Nyíregyháza, Faculty of Teacher Training, Department of Psychology Sóstói street 31/b, 4400 Nyíregyháza, Hungary

phone number: +36/42 599 472

Ágnes Petneháziné Harsányi, Department of Psychology at College of Nyíregyháza, Hungary

Ágnes Petneháziné Harsányi is a college assistant lecturer, the teacher of the Faculty of Teacher Training of the Department of Psychology at the College of Nyíregyháza. Her main research veld/area is the etect study of János Arany Talent Program, the interpersonal connections, social intelligence and future aims of disadvantaged but also talented children.

College of Nyíregyháza, Faculty of Teacher Training, Department of Psychology Sóstói street 31/b, 4400 Nyíregyháza, Hungary

phone number: +36/42 599 472

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