Social Competence in Bullies, Defenders and Neutrals: A Comparison

Abstract

Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate whether or not bullies, defenders and neutrals differ regarding various indicators of social competence (i.e., strategy use (prosocial and coercive), resource control, perceived popularity, social preference, connectedness to classmates, and self-perceived social acceptance), considering both the traditional and the more modern view of social competence. Method: The sample consisted of 4th, 5th and 6th grade students (N = 1230) from different schools throughout the Netherlands. Data were collected from several informants: peer nominations were used, as well as self- and teacher-reports. Results: Bullies scored highest, and neutrals lowest, on Prosocial strategy use, Coercive strategy use, Resource control and Perceived popularity. Defenders scored highest on Social preference and Connectedness to classmates. Bullies scored lowest on Social preference and were overrepresented in the bistrategic controller type (Hawley, 2003). Conclusions: This study provides most evidence for the more modern view of social competence, in which bullies are seen as socially competent individuals. Results of the study could be used for interventions. However, further research into this subject is needed