Bulling is aggressive behavior towards a certain person.
This phenomenon is common in completely different age categories: both in children and in adults. But especially severe bullying is most often manifested among adolescents. It is noteworthy that a similar phenomenon also exists in the animal world: weak individuals collectively attack a stronger one.
It is necessary to clearly distinguish between the concepts of bullying and ordinary conflict. Conflict is a normal component of the social life of an individual, since people often do not have the same views and opinions. This situation can be resolved through dialogue: finding a compromise, defending one’s own opinion, or trying to make concessions to the other conflicting party.
Bullying is of two types:
- Vertical (when upstream mocks downstream);
- Horizontal (when bullying occurs between equal members of the team).
For people who are being bullied, there are three stages of action that, in most cases, help to cope with the situation.
How to deal with bullying
Try to find support
First of all, it is necessary to understand what role each person plays in the group of people who staged the persecution: who is the initiator, and who simply supports his intentions. Who is capable of their own point of view, and who just blindly follows the crowd. Who is only watching the situation from the outside, and who is able to sympathize and support. It is important to try to find a person who is able to take the side of the one who is being attacked.
Try to start a dialogue with the initiator
Usually those who bully are not ready for this turn of events. For such people, it becomes a surprise when the victim wants to find out the reason for what is happening and discuss the situation. At the same time, it is worthwhile to conduct a dialogue correctly: do not be humiliated, but also not be hostile, politely, but seriously talk about what is happening. It is better to talk to someone who is the leader in the group or the instigator of the bullying.
Determine whether it makes sense to keep fighting
There is no support in the team, relations with the management did not work out, and the conversation with the offender did not bear fruit. It is worth considering: do you really have the strength to continue the fight or is it worth changing the team? If there is a willingness to endure and endure what is happening, then the best solution is to ignore it: by enduring persecution with dignity and without humiliation, you can reduce all the actions of offenders to zero. Emotions in this case, on the contrary, only warm up the interest of those who are trying to offend.
The best way to learn to ignore people is to get distracted by tasks like intensive study or career advancement. Time will not be wasted, it will be useful and help to ignore attacks. If there is no more strength and patience left, then the best solution would be to leave the team: this can be both a final and a temporary measure (go on vacation or take a break for a while). At the same time, the fact of psychological support is very important: it can be provided by relatives or friends, and at best – a professional psychologist.
