Bullying at School

Dan Olweus

Blackwell

English

English

World renown bullying expert, detailed research, successful intervention programme, practical advice for programme intervention, Guide for identification of possible victims and bullies,

Book

Policy Makers, Teachers, Researchers, School Directors.

Over 100 pages

This book was first printed in 1993 and has been reprinted many times since. It gives practical advice to Headteachers, teachers and parents on how to implement a 'whole school approach to bullying'. The book's author, Dan Olveus, is Professor of Psychology at the University of Bergen in Norway and is an acknowledged world authority on problems of bullying and victimisation. He has conducted research in the area of bullying over 20 years.

The book is divided into four parts. Part 1 gives an overview of what is known about bully/victim problems, based mainly on the results from four research projects undertaken by the author.

Part 2 gives a detailed presentation of the intervention programme which the author took part in developing. It provides information about how bully/victim problems can be addressed and counteracted in a school, in the class and in contact with individual students.

Part 3 gives a brief summary of the positive efects of the intervention programme, as evaluated over a two-year period in 42 schools in the city of Bergen, Norway. Some of the key principles guiding the development of the intervention programme.

Part 4 gives some additional practical advice for the implementation of the intervention programme at a school and also specifies a set of 'core components' of the programme.

Finally the book also contains a 'Guide for the Identification of Possible Victims and Bullies'.

The book, which is is based on the author's large scale studies and other research on bullying, presents the facts about bullying, it's causes, it's consequences and a suggested solution, in clear straight forward language.

In Part 1 the author outlines the surveys and intervention programme which he conducted as part of a government-led nationwide campaign against bullying. Because of the very large numbers involved in the research, Olweus is then able to use the results to provide guidance on recognising patterns of behaviour or other characteristics to facilitate the identification of potential victims and of their agressors.

The one slightly disappointing factor about the research is the age (e.g. 'One student out of Seven' involved in bully/victim problems - based on a survey of 568,000 students in 1983-84), but we do not feel this means the conclusions don't still have value.

What we do feel is good is that fact that Olweus led where other more recent experts have followed , looking at a very wide range of bullying related factors e.g. How much do parents know? Bullying on the way to/from school, Is bullying primarily a big city problem? Is bullying a consequence of competition at school? What characterises the typical victim and typical bullies? What kind or rearing conditions create aggressive children? etc.

We also like the little 'inserts' which are included e.g. 'A Concrete picture - pg 37-39; 'Portrait Sketches of Henry and Roger a Victim and a Bully' - pg 49-52.

The 'Guide for the Identification of Possible Victims and Bullies'
is only about 7 pages of the book but is neverthless helpful and to the point.

Part 2 begins with a useful overview of Olweus' proposed Intervention Programme - Measures at School Level; Measures at Class level and Measures at Individual Level and then goes on to explain each area in helpful detail.

Part 3, as with Part 4, is shorter than Parts 1 and 2 but still aims to convince the sceptical reader that the programme is worth trying and in this they were successful - our reviewers were indeed convinced.

Part 4, 'Additional Practical Advice and a Core Programme' does not, in our view, really add a great deal to the previous parts.

In conclusion, our view is that this is a book, and an anti-bullying programme wirth serious consideration. This is evidenced by the way the programme has been adopted across the world e.g.:

http://www.olweus.org/public/index.page

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bullying-School-Understanding-Childrens-Worlds/dp/0631192417/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1302871023&sr=8-2

Wilsthorpe Community School