Social aggression, also known as relational aggression, is indirect bullying aimed at ruining a person’s reputation among peers. It is most common among teenagers and can lead to depression, poor performance in school or work, and even suicidal thoughts or actions. Schools have adopted zero-tolerance policies for bullying.
Social aggression, also known as relational aggression, is defined as indirect bullying aimed at ruining a person’s reputation among peers. It is most often perpetrated by teenagers, although adults can be guilty as well. Victims of this type of bullying often experience depression, increased self-awareness, and poor performance in school or work; the degree of harm often depends on the type of support a person receives from family and friends. These potential risks have prompted many schools to enforce rules against this form of bullying.
The term bullying typically refers to direct, confrontational attacks on another person and often of a violent nature. Social aggression, however, typically lacks direct confrontation. It takes the form of spreading rumors, gossip, excluding a person from a group, verbal attacks such as teasing and cyberbullying. Studies have found that those who are socially aggressive often lack self-esteem or are incredibly self-aware; they typically use this form of bullying to protect their place among peers or to put themselves above their peers.
Relational aggression is typically rampant in middle and high school and is often misattributed to women. Research has found that while boys and men typically bully peers physically more than girls, both genders can be equally aggressive socially. Studies have found that in the United States alone, over 100,000 students miss out on school every day due to indirect bullying.
This type of bullying is often blamed solely on teenagers. While this may be true of more obvious forms of social aggression, it is also common among college students, in suburban neighborhoods, and in the workplace. In adulthood, the most common form of this type of aggression is usually gossiping and spreading rumors. In general, the smaller the community, the more this problem occurs.
Relational aggression can have detrimental effects on victims and in some cases can be fatal. Studies have found that teenagers who have been subjected to these types of attacks are more likely to develop depression and eating disorders. Relational aggression can also be responsible for a decline in academic performance and almost always harms a young adult’s social life. Among adults, this aggression can limit work productivity and greatly reduce self-esteem.
The effects of social aggression often depend on the amount of support a victim has outside of school or work. Children with supportive parents, caregivers, other adults, or friends tend to handle this type of bullying better than those without this basis. In severe cases, indirect bullying can be a catalyst for suicidal thoughts or actions; in rare cases, it can lead the victim to take their own life.
Because of the potentially harmful and life-altering effects of social aggression, particularly for young adults, many schools have adopted zero-tolerance policies for bullying. Teachers and parents are taught to recognize signs of social aggression in both the perpetrator and the victim. Perpetrators are typically punished and, in extreme cases, may be suspended or expelled from school.
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