SUMMARY
Tripartite beliefs models are proposed as potential explanations for the stability of bully and victim behavior. These models include normative beliefs about acceptability of weakness, and provoked and unprovoked aggression; self-efficacy beliefs about the ability to use aggression and inhibit aggressive impulses; and outcome-expectancy beliefs regarding the use of aggression.
Children from grades 5 and 6 (N = 120) completed measures representing each of the belief categories, as well as three indices of bully and victim behavior. The relation of each belief category with the behavioral measures of bully and victim behavior were examined.
Strong support was found for the tripartite beliefs model of bully behavior, lending support to the notion that beliefs about aggression and bullying that are supportive, justifying, accepting, and encouraging of bullying, might be related to its actual expression. No support was found for the tripartite beliefs model of victim behavior. Perhaps, unlike bullies, victims are passive recipients of the aggression they receive, and hence, their social role might be imposed upon them regardless of their beliefs. Implications for prevention/intervention are discussed.
