article

Are Cyberbullies really bullies? An investigation of reactive and proactive online aggression

Authors:

Danielle M. Law,

Jennifer D. Shapka,

José F. Domene,

Monique H. GagnéAuthors Info & Claims

Computers in Human Behavior, Volume 28, Issue 2

Pages 664 - 672

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2011.11.013

Published: 01 March 2012 Publication History

Abstract

Cyberbullying, or online aggression, is an issue of increasing concern, however little research has been conducted on the motivations underlying this form of aggression. Using a mixed-method approach, by means of survey and interview data, we explored whether online aggressive acts were motivated by proactive (intentionally aggressing to obtain a resource or a goal), and/or reactive (aggression that occurs in reaction to provocation) reasons. Participants for the survey portion of the study included 733 adolescents between the ages of 10 and 18, while a subset of 15 adolescents participated in semi-structured interviews. Factor analysis revealed that, in contrast to traditional forms of bullying, adolescents do not identify themselves according to the role they played in an internet aggressive situation (i.e. bully, victim, witness), but according to the method of aggression they used (i.e. sending mean messages, posting embarrassing photos, and developing hostile websites). More interestingly, regression analyses demonstrated that motivations for aggressing online also varied according to method of aggression rather than role. For example, adolescents who chose to aggress by posting mean messages or posting embarrassing photos were more likely to do so for reactive reasons, while adolescents who spent time creating hostile websites did so for proactive reasons.

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Cited By

Maftei AHolman AMerlici I(2022)Using fake news as means of cyber-bullyingComputers in Human Behavior10.1016/j.chb.2021.107032127:COnline publication date: 9-Apr-2022
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.chb.2021.107032
Budnikas G(2022)A Model for an Aggression Discovery Through Person Online BehaviorComputer Information Systems and Industrial Management10.1007/978-3-319-24369-6_25(305-315)Online publication date: 10-Mar-2022
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1007/978-3-319-24369-6_25
Brody NVangelisti A(2017)CyberbullyingComputers in Human Behavior10.1016/j.chb.2017.06.02075:C(739-748)Online publication date: 1-Oct-2017
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.chb.2017.06.020
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cover image Computers in Human Behavior

Computers in Human Behavior Volume 28, Issue 2

March, 2012

487 pages

ISSN:0747-5632

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Copyright © Elsevier Ltd © 2011.

Publisher

Elsevier Science Publishers B. V.

Netherlands

Publication History

Published: 01 March 2012

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Cited By

Maftei AHolman AMerlici I(2022)Using fake news as means of cyber-bullyingComputers in Human Behavior10.1016/j.chb.2021.107032127:COnline publication date: 9-Apr-2022
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.chb.2021.107032
Budnikas G(2022)A Model for an Aggression Discovery Through Person Online BehaviorComputer Information Systems and Industrial Management10.1007/978-3-319-24369-6_25(305-315)Online publication date: 10-Mar-2022
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1007/978-3-319-24369-6_25
Brody NVangelisti A(2017)CyberbullyingComputers in Human Behavior10.1016/j.chb.2017.06.02075:C(739-748)Online publication date: 1-Oct-2017
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.chb.2017.06.020
Vranjes IBaillien EVandebosch HErreygers SDe Witte H(2017)The dark side of working onlineComputers in Human Behavior10.1016/j.chb.2016.12.05569:C(324-334)Online publication date: 1-Apr-2017
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.chb.2016.12.055
Kokkinos CVoulgaridou I(2017)Relational and cyber aggression among adolescentsComputers in Human Behavior10.1016/j.chb.2016.11.04668:C(528-537)Online publication date: 1-Mar-2017
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.chb.2016.11.046
Festl RVogelgesang JScharkow MQuandt T(2017)Longitudinal patterns of involvement in cyberbullyingComputers in Human Behavior10.1016/j.chb.2016.09.02766:C(7-15)Online publication date: 1-Jan-2017
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.chb.2016.09.027
Antoniadou NKokkinos CMarkos A(2016)Development, construct validation and measurement invariance of the Greek cyber-bullying/victimization experiences questionnaire (CBVEQ-G)Computers in Human Behavior10.1016/j.chb.2016.08.03265:C(380-390)Online publication date: 1-Dec-2016
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.chb.2016.08.032
Pereira FSpitzberg BMatos M(2016)Cyber-harassment victimization in PortugalComputers in Human Behavior10.1016/j.chb.2016.03.03962:C(136-146)Online publication date: 1-Sep-2016
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Cuadrado-Gordillo IFernández-Antelo I(2016)Adolescents' perception of the characterizing dimensions of cyberbullyingComputers in Human Behavior10.1016/j.chb.2015.10.00555:PB(653-663)Online publication date: 1-Feb-2016
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Snyman RLoh J(2015)Cyberbullying at workComputers in Human Behavior10.1016/j.chb.2015.06.05053:C(161-168)Online publication date: 1-Dec-2015
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