NCJ Number
211234
Date Published
2005
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This chapter examines how the concept of fear can be applied to prison bullying.
Abstract
Specifically, the author explores the potential role that "fear" plays in defining bullying, how prison bullies can use fear as a weapon in their abusive repertoire, and how a victim's reactions to bullying and attempts to protect himself/herself from bullying can be explained under the concept of "flight versus fight." An applied fear response model outlines how fear influences inmates' responses under the concept of a proposed "delayed flight response." The primary question addressed is whether or not the risk of exposure to bullying in a prison is realistic and whether inmates take preventive measures against this risk. The author argues that fear has a central role in understanding bullying behavior in prisons. It exists both prior to a bullying incident in contemplating the risk and also following a bullying incident. Fear both before and after a bullying incident causes inmates to alter their behaviors in order to avoid being bullied in the future. More research is required to identify the psychological variables that correlate with differences in inmates' experiences of fear. Although this chapter argues that aggression, self-injurious behavior, avoidance, and role-playing may be fear-motivated, empirical research is required to test these assertions. Research on the emotional distress caused by fear should also be studied. 3 notes and 34 references