Critical thinking questions

Your answers to these kinds of questions demonstrate an ability to comprehend and apply ideas discussed in this chapter.

1. Explain how researchers determine whether children understand concepts such as conflict, socioeconomic inequality, and civil rights.

2. Explain the kinds of problems that parents confront with their children regarding school and discipline, and how parents change their disciplinary practices as children grow older.

3. Compare and contrast popular, rejected, and neglected children.

4. Explain how entering school changes lives of children.

5. How do developmentalists measure self-esteem? Also indicate and explain what factors influence the self-esteem of children.

6. Define altruism, and indicate how this concept relates to moral development.

Ex.1. Skim over the text. Answer the questions. Give your own opinion on the information.

Bullying

bullying – запугивание; буллинг (травля в отношении ребенка со стороны одного или группы одноклассников или индивидуальные действия, направленные на дискредитацию коллеги по работе; "дедовщина" (также mobbing)

suicidal thoughts – мысли о самоубийстве

conclusively – точно, определенно, окончательно

perpetrator – злоумышленник, правонарушитель, преступник

skills – умения и навыки

strained – напряженный

peers – сверстники

persistently – упорно (продолжают)

prevent – препятствовать

ongoing – постоянный

career path – карьерная дорожка

associate – общаться, объединяться

cope with – справляться с; совладать с; бороться с

Researchers analysed 37 studies into bullying and suicide among children and adolescents from 13 countries including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, Japan and South Africa.

Almost all studies identified connections between being bullied and suicidal thoughts. Bullying has been identified as a contributory factor in acts of extreme violence. Perpetrators were also found to be at increased risk of suicidal behaviors.

Researchers explain that the studies made it impossible to determine conclusively whether bullying leads to suicide. Most failed to take into account the influence of other factors like gender, psychiatric problems or a history of suicide attempts.

Young people who bully tend to have problems in other relationships, such as with parents and friends. Effective prevention and intervention strategies should include those relationships, as well as aggression and morality issues arising from bullying itself.

Researchers found that children who bullied tended to be aggressive, lacked a moral compass and experienced significant conflict in relationships with their parents. Relationships with friends similarly involved a lot of conflict, and they tended to associate with other bullies.

Lead author Debra Pepler, research professor of psychology at York University and senior associate scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children said:

"Interventions must focus on the children who bully, with attention to their aggressive behavior problems, social skills, and social problem-solving skills. A focus on the child alone is not sufficient.

Bullying is a relationship problem that requires relationship solutions by focusing on the bullying children's strained relationships with parents and risky relationships with peers. By providing intensive and ongoing support starting in the elementary school years to this small group of youth who persistently bully, it may be possible to promote healthy relationships and prevent their 'career path' of bullying that leads to numerous social-emotional and relationship problems in adolescence and adulthood."

PsyArticles.com

Questions:

1. What is bullying?

2. Are there connections between being bullied and suicidal thoughts

3. Do you think it is possible to determine conclusively whether bullying leads to suicide?

4. What are the characteristic features of a bully?

5. Is there any ways of coping with bullying?