The present thesis investigated a phenomenon in South Korea, which corresponds to bullying with respect to terms, perceptions, origins and moral reasoning. These were examined by three main studies across various age-ranges. Study 1 examined terms for and perceptions of bullying-like behaviours in South Korea using a qualitative approach, from young children to adults. Results showed that wang-ta was the term predominantly used to describe bullying-like behaviour in South Korea. Depending on types of aggression and participants’ ages, different terms emerged showing historical changes within a culture. 10-15 years old pupils used their own terms, different from wang-ta; and workplace personnel and 10-15 year old pupils showed negative attitudes towards victims. Previous studies showed that bullying–like behaviours among young children differ in some ways from those of older children. Study 2 investigated bullying-like behaviours among 6 year olds in South Korea using peer, self, and teacher reports; and examined bullying roles in relation to various types of aggression and peer status. Results showed that depending on informants, bullying roles were nominated differently; the role of aggressors showed higher consistency across informants than other roles. Relational victimisation was seen differently depending on informants. One of the theories for why some people engage in bullying-like behaviours has focused on their moral understanding about aggressive behaviours. Study 3 investigated moral reasoning about aggressive behaviours in terms of types of aggression, age, gender, and experience of aggression. Sixty 7 year olds and ninety 11 year olds from South Korea participated. Results indicated that moral reasoning about aggressive behaviours differed by type of aggression and children’s age. Social exclusion was regarded as less wrong and less harmful than other types of aggressive behaviours. Gender differences were rarely found. The results are discussed in terms of pupils’ attitudes toward wang-ta in South Korea.

Bullying in schools is a growing international concern as the consequences of bullying and victimisation have been shown to be far-reaching. With the aim of developing effective anti-bullying interventions, previous research has investigated. The factors situated within the child's family and within the child themselves that are considered to be the causes of childhood bullying. An underdeveloped area in the literature was in relation to the protective characteristics of children who are at risk of bullying, specifically how the characteristics of children mediate or moderate the ettects ot negative tamily experiences on bullying behaviours.

Empathy is the ability to stand in another's shoes, to approximate another's experience, to feel what another feels. According to scientists, sociologists, psychologists, and Nobel Peace Laureates, empathy is crucial for the continuation and flourishing of humankind. When empathy is achieved, and an individual is able to perceive him/herself as the Other, the foundation for both transforming conflict and shifting of fundamental worldviews is possible. This research explores different aspects of conflict, primarily through the lens of bullying. Data was collected and analyzed from over 300 students ranging in age from 8-18 years. In addition, a variety of narrative forms from comic books and graphic novels to theatrical plays based upon ancient mythology to in-depth survey questions are investigated, examining moments where empathy may be experienced and understood by participants. These narratives created by student-participants are interpreted through a Narrative Phenomenology methodology, highlighting students' perception of themselves as well as their lived-experience in relationship with others. These myriad story narratives reveal important information on ways social justice and human lights education, moral imagination, and adults as models of empathic behaviour might inspire youth to move past bullying and violence toward more compassionately motivated inclusive communities. Central to the research is the Triptych Narrative Method designed by the researcher that is utilized in a variety of settings and determined to be effective in aiding in the development of empathy. Through the identification of a Lacuna Epiphany Space, over which the act of dialogue may create a Lacuna Bridge. it is possible through an empathic-epiphany exchange for participants to become conscious of feeling with another. thereby bridging the often separate sense between Self and Other into a shared experience of Self as Other. This tool has far-reaching applications as well as the potential to assist in the global effort toward awakening humanity to their empathic abilities.

Research and interventions concerning anti-social behaviour have neglected the bad behaviour of “good” people or those who typically behave pro-socially. Additionally, past and current research and practice in this area have often neglected how factors in one’s current environment influence behaviour. Instead, the focus has been on how individual characteristics—borne of the interplay of genetic composition and environmental influences over time—result in anti-social behaviour. However, evidence suggests immediate contexts can foster even atypical behaviour, behavior not correlated with genetic and long-term environmental influences. The thesis is presented in four parts. Part One introduces the idea that immediate group context can have a significant effect on anti-social behaviour, particularly that of “good” people. Part Two reviews research on the impact of social dynamics on behaviour. Part Three presents the empirical study on the role of a particular group dynamic, social dilemmas, in relation to a specific type of anti-social behaviour, bullying. Finally, Part Four considers the implications of the thesis for future research and practice. Social dilemmas are situations in which individual motives are at odds with the best interests of the group and help to explain why individuals sometimes make anti-social decisions. The study at the core of this thesis tested two hypotheses: 1) both individual and group factors are associated with behaviour in bullying situations; and 2) attitudes, group norms, and social dilemmas each have a unique contribution to predicting behaviour in bullying situations. Participants were 292 middle school students at a residential school in the U.S., and data were analysed using multi-level modelling. The primary findings were, in general, consistent with the two hypotheses. The research suggests that social dilemma dynamics might be an important group factor in predicting behaviour in bullying situations.

Workplace bullying is a sensitive issue and a psychological terror in the workplace, with severe effects on employees’ and organisations’ health, dignity, employee relations, and wellbeing. As a vital link between different constituencies in the organisation, human resource (HR) practitioners face many challenges in their attempt to address and manage workplace bullying, while simultaneously striving to promote employee wellbeing and positive employee relations. This study endeavoured to explore workplace bullying from the point of view of HR practitioners tasked with identifying and dealing with bullying in the workplace, and to develop a substantive theory of workplace bullying from their perspectives. The empirical study, conducted in two tertiary institutions in South Africa, employed grounded theory as a methodological approach with nine HR practitioners selected by non-probability purposive sampling, which is congruent with a grounded theory methodology. Selection criteria were applied to sample participants on the basis of relevance and acceptability. A qualitative, constructivist grounded theory research design was used to explore HR practitioners’ perspectives on workplace bullying with data gathered by means of in-depth interviews and official documents to gain insight and understanding of their experiences of workplace bullying. In-depth interviews were audio-recorded and data transcribed verbatim, analysed and interpreted using grounded theory coding strategies, memo writing and theoretical sampling. Findings were supported by verbatim quotes and a literature review. The study proposes a substantive workplace bullying theory and a conceptual workplace bullying framework to guide organisations and highlight the practical value for empowering the HR practitioners. It addresses the need to manage workplace bullying in the organisation and help management be more knowledgeable about bullying, effectively fostering a zero-tolerance culture. The study revealed that the HR practitioner’s role is torn between a responsibility to the business goals and management, and to support and championing the case of the targets in potential bullying situations. It should contribute to the limited body of knowledge on HR practitioners’ perspectives on workplace bullying within the South African context. / Psychology / D.Phil. (Philosophy)

Running title: Personality and cyberbullying victimisation / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-120) / The aim of this study was to gain insight into the relationship between personality and cyberbullying victimisation using a sample of 107 adult participants. The participants were found using the social media site Facebook in particular and assessed by means of the Big Five Inventory and a cyberbullying measure developed by the researcher. The study also explored the relationship between personality and coping behaviours using the COPE Inventory. The study findings indicate that neuroticism and cyberbullying victimisation are correlated, albeit weakly, with the largest correlation being between neuroticism and online impersonation and harassment. In addition, the study found a weak correlation between openness to experience and online impersonation. Coping and personality were moderately correlated; with neurotic individuals and victims of cyberbullying often resorting to maladaptive coping strategies. These results may suggest that there are other, more significant risk factors in the cyberbullying field that merit further exploration, while the relationships highlighted in the study also require further investigation. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)