What are the different types of bullying?

Key statement

Bullying can take many different forms including physical, verbal, social and psychological (for example keeping someone out of a group). It could also involve taking or damaging belongings/demanding money. Many different studies have found the most common type to be unpleasant and hurtful name-calling.

.........................................

Comment

It is impossible to produce a comprehensive agreed list of all types of bullying. New forms of bullying (for example abusive text messages) may develop because of new technology. In other cases there may be no agreement about whether or not a particular type of behaviour (for example racism or homophobic harassment) is a type of bullying or a completely separate category of behaviour.

There does seem to be a trend however, both among researchers and in society in general, to include more types of behaviour under the heading of 'bullying' than has been the case in the past.
(Andrew Mellor)
.........................................

Do you want to find out more?

More 1 - 1997 survey of English schools
More 2 - 1990 Sheffield study
More 3 - Rigby's Australian study
More 4 - Mellor's Scottish study
More 5 - Homophobic and racist bullying
More 6 - Mobile phone and email bullying
More 7 - Sexual bullying
More 1 - 7 on one page!
.........................................