Distinguishing Normal Conflict from

Normal Conflict… Bullying… *Involves people with similar degrees *Involves an imbalance of power wherein power, or in which neither party uses one person is unfairly exercising power a power advantage to prevail unfairly. over another. *Involves a mutual disagreement or *Involves one party exerting their needs or difference in interest or goals, or interests unilaterally over another. reasonable competing claims. *Involves hurtful behavior on behalf of one *Might not involve wrongdoing; if there is party against another. Wrongdoing and wrongdoing or escalation of conflict, both with the offending party. parties are somewhat responsible. *A fair resolution involves a change in *Can be fairly resolved by compromise behavior of the offender; the targeted involving concessions by both parties, or party has no concession to make. by negotiation or cooperation. *Is one-sided; one party instigates and *Is reciprocal; both parties participate in maintains the bullying dynamic. the conflict.

Distinguishing from Taunting

Teasing is… Taunting is… *NORMAL CONFLICT *BULLYING *Mutual and reciprocal; either party *Based on an imbalance of power, so that might tease the other. one party consistently does the taunting; *Good-natured and benign; not intended reciprocation by the other is unlikely. to hurt. *Harmful and/or malicious. The taunter *Intended to be fun/humorous for all intends to harm, unconcerned about harm, parties involved; parties laugh with each and/or a reasonable person would consider other. the words said to be hurtful. *Maintains basic dignity of all parties. *Laughter is directed at the target; joke is *Teasing is one part of a relationship cover for mean-spirited comment; others’ between parties; parties share other fun is at target’s expense. activities and forms of interaction also. *Diminishes the self-worth of the target. *Stops when the person teased becomes *Not part of an otherwise friendly upset or objects to teasing. relationship between the parties. *Continues especially when the targeted Complied by Karen Positan, Union County person becomes distressed or objects. Prosecutor’s Office, and Paula C. Rodriguez* Rust, *Causes fear, might escalate to physical [email protected] bullying.