Battling the Bully: Brain-Inspired Responses to Bullying
Bullying has become a significant concern on many campuses as students with physical or cognitive differences intimidate and exploit their more vulnerable classmates, often with a social sophistication and discreetness that make it difficult for adults to observe and intervene with. In this workshop, bullying will be looked at through the lens of cognitive neuroscience with a new perspective provided on the often perplexing behavior of these students. Bullying will be evaluated from the perspective of dominance and power and participants offered powerful tools for eliminating exploitive behavior and protecting the vulnerable. Finally, participants will be exposed to new research about students on the fringe of the social culture and the structures proven successful in helping those students achieve academic success. Packed with specific, low cost recommendations for building an effective "anti-bullying" culture, this workshop will offer an alternative set of tools for comprehensively addressing bullying.
Learning Objectives
- Participants will explore what bullying is, its distinctive features and the four types of bullying.
- Participants will learn the primary characteristics and useful interventions for bullies, targets, and bystanders.
- Participants will explore the unique brain chemistry and make up of both bullies and targets.
- Participants will identify the components of an effective prevention program and the thirteen steps to change bullying behavior. Participants will contrast these measures with their current interventions toward bullying prevention.
- Participants will be exposed to additional resources on bullying including books and websites.
Testimonials
"Understanding the characteristics of a bully can help with interventions. This is information that everyone should know who works in a school."
—Leon McCoy, Participant, DE
"I appreciated the insight on bystanders, you need to present this workshop at my school and to the PTA group as well."
—Loraine Donaldson, Parent, NY
"UDO should join forces with school systems and educate all teachers about this information. It will help them better understand what to look for in their classroom."
—Carolyn Bozner, Kent County Schools, MD
