Abstract
There is growing attention on cyberbullying from media, schools, parents, researchers and policy makers, though disagreement still exists within the literature on both concept and definition. There is, however, some agreement on its associated features, such as intentional behaviour towards an individual or group. As dependency on the internet and electronic devices grows in terms of social interaction, so does a need to identify, understand, and intervene, in aggressive, hostile, and victimising situations. This chapter proposes an argument to widen the net when examining cyberbullying, through adopting the term ‘cyberaggression’, an inclusive term for the various forms of hostile, direct and indirect behaviour which occur in the online sphere. Examining these forms through the lens of cyberaggression will allow for a more holistic and unified approach to understanding victimisation in the online environment. This case is made with the support of theory and research from the fields of bullying and aggression, and has further implications for legislation, policy holders and researchers alike.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aboujaoude, E., Savage, M. W., Starcevic, V., et al. (2015). Cyberbullying: Review of an old problem gone viral. Journal of Adolescent Health, 57(1), 10–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.04.011.
Agatston, P., Kowalski, R., & Limber, S. (2012). Youth views on cyberbullying. In J. W. Patchin & S. Hinduja (Eds.), Cyberbullying prevention and response: Expert perspectives (pp. 57–71). New York: Routledge.
Anderson, C. A. (1997). Effects of violent movies and trait hostility on hostile feelings and aggressive thoughts. Aggressive Behavior, 23(3), 161–178. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1098-2337(1997)23:33.0.CO;2-P.
Anderson, C. A., & Bushman, B. J. (2002). Human aggression. Psychology, 53(1), 27–51. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.53.100901.135231.
Archer, J. (1995). What can ethology offer the psychological study of human aggression? Aggressive Behavior, 21(4), 243–255. https://doi.org/10.1002/1098-2337(1995)21:4<243::AID-AB2480210402>3.0.CO;2-6.
Bandura, A. (1978). Social learning theory of aggression. The Journal of Communication, 28(3), 12–29.
Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: Freeman.
Berkowitz, L. (1989). Frustration-aggression hypothesis: Examination and reformulation. Psychological Bulletin, 106(1), 59–73. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.106.1.59.
Berkowitz, L. (1990). On the formation and regulation of anger and aggression: A cognitive-neoassociationistic analysis. The American Psychologist, 45(4), 494–503. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.45.4.494.
Berkowitz, L. (1993). Pain and aggression: Some findings and implications. Motivation and Emotion, 17(3), 277–293. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00992223.
Berry, M. J., & Bainbridge, S. L. (2017). Manchester’s cyberstalked 18–30s: Factors affecting cyberstalking. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 4(18), 73–85. https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.418.3680.
Bleidorn, W., Kandler, C., Riemann, R., et al. (2009). Patterns and sources of adult personality development: Growth curve analyses of the NEO PI-R scales in a longitudinal twin study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 97(1), 142–155. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0015434.
Buckels, E. E., Trapnell, P. D., & Paulhus, D. L. (2014). Trolls just want to have fun. Personality and Individual Differences, 67, 97–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2014.01.016.
Bushman, B. J., & Anderson, C. A. (2001). Is it time to pull the plug on hostile versus instrumental aggression dichotomy? Psychological Review, 108(1), 273–279.
Buss, D. M., & Shackelford, T. K. (1997). Human aggression in evolutionary psychological perspective. Clinical Psychology Review, 17(6), 605–619. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-7358(97)00037-8.
Campbell, M. A., Slee, P. T., Spears, B., et al. (2013). Do cyberbullies suffer too? Cyberbullies’ perceptions of the harm they cause to others and to their own mental health. School Psychology International, 34(6), 613–629. https://doi.org/10.1177/0143034313479698.
Cassidy, W., Faucher, C., & Jackson, M. (2013). Cyberbullying among youth: A comprehensive review of current international research and its implications and application to policy and practice. School Psychology International, 34(6), 575–612. https://doi.org/10.1177/0143034313479697.
Cavezza, C., & McEwan, T. E. (2014). Cyberstalking versus off-line stalking in a forensic sample. Psychology, Crime & Law, 20(10), 955–970. https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2014.893334.
Chandrashekhar, A. M., Muktha, G. S., & Anjana, D. K. (2016). Cyberstalking and cyberbullying: Effects and prevention measures. Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 2(3), 95–102.
Collins, A. M., & Loftus, E. F. (1975). A spreading-activation theory of semantic processing. Psychological Review, 82(6), 407–428. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.82.6.407.
Corcoran, L., Mc Guckin, C. M., & Prentice, G. (2015). Cyberbullying or cyber aggression? A review of existing definitions of cyber-based peer-to-peer aggression. Societies, 5(2), 245–255. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc5020245.
Daly, M., & Wilson, M. (1994). Evolutionary psychology of male violence. In J. Archer (Ed.), Male violence (pp. 253–288). London: Routledge.
Darwin, C. (1859). On the origin of species. London: Murray.
Davis, S., & Nixon, C. (2012). Empowering bystanders. In J. W. Patchin & S. Hinduja (Eds.), Cyberbullying prevention and response: Expert perspectives (pp. 93–109). New York: Routledge.
Department of Education and Skills. (2013). Anti-bullying procedures for primary and post-primary schools. Retrieved from https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Policy-Reports/Anti-Bullying-Procedures-for-Primary-and-Post-Primary-Schools.pdf.
Department of Justice and Equality. (2016). Data protection safeguards for children (‘digital age of consent’). Consultation paper. Retrieved from http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Consultation_paper_Digital_Age_of_Consent.pdf/Files/Consultation_paper_Digital_Age_osf_Consent.pdf.
DeRosier, M. E., & Marcus, S. R. (2005). Building friendships and combating bullying: Effectiveness of S.S.GRIN at one-year follow-up. Journal of Clinical Child Adolescent, 34(1), 140–150. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15374424jccp3401_13.
DeSmet, A., Bastiaensens, S., Van Cleemput, K., et al. (2017). The efficacy of the friendly attac serious digital game to promote prosocial bystander behavior in cyberbullying among young adolescents: A cluster-randomized controlled trial. Computers in Human Behavior, 78, 336–347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.10.011.
Didden, R., Scholte, R. H., Korzilius, H., et al. (2009). Cyberbullying among students with intellectual and developmental disability in special education settings. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 12(3), 146–151. https://doi.org/10.1080/17518420902971356.
Dodge, K. A. (1980). Social cognition and children’s aggressive behavior. Child Development, 51, 620–635.
Dollard, J., Doob, L. W., Miller, N. E., et al. (1939). Frustration and aggression. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Dooley, J. J., Pyżalski, J., & Cross, D. (2009). Cyberbullying versus face-to-face bullying: A theoretical and conceptual review. The Journal of Psychology, 217(4), 182–188. https://doi.org/10.1027/0044-3409.217.4.182.
Dreßing, H., Bailer, J., Anders, A., et al. (2014). Cyberstalking in a large sample of social network users: Prevalence, characteristics, and impact upon victims. Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 17(2), 61–67. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2012.0231.
Elliott, T. P. (2012) Flaming and gaming– Computer-mediated-communication and toxic disinhibition. Dissertation, University of Twente.
Feshbach, S. (1984). The catharsis hypothesis, aggressive drive, and the reduction of aggression. Aggressive Behavior, 10(2), 91–101. https://doi.org/10.1002/1098-2337(1984)10:2<91.
Foellmi, M., Cahall, J., & Rosenfeld, B. (2012). Stalking: What we know and what we need to know. In B. Winder & P. Banyard (Eds.), A psychologist’s casebook of crime: From arson to voyerism (pp. 209–224). London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Freud, S. (1920). Beyond the pleasure principle. New York: Bantam Books.
Geen, R. G. (2001). Human aggression (2nd ed.). Oxford: Taylor & Francis.
Grigg, D. W. (2010). Cyber-aggression: Definition and concept of cyberbullying. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 20(2), 143–156. https://doi.org/10.1375/ajgc.20.2.143.
Gunther, N., Dehue, F., & Thewissen, V. (2016). Cyberbullying and mental health: Internet-based interventions for children and young people. In C. Mc Guckin & L. Corcoran (Eds.), Bullying and cyberbullying: prevalence (pp. 189–200). New Jersey: Psychological Impacts and Intervention Strategies. Nova Publishers.
Halpern, D., & Gibbs, J. (2013). Social media as a catalyst for online deliberation? Exploring the affordances of facebook and youtube for political expression. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(3), 1159–1168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2012.10.008.
Herring, S., Job-Sluder, K., Scheckler, R., et al. (2002). Searching for safety online: Managing “trolling” in a feminist forum. The Information Society, 18(5), 371–384. https://doi.org/10.1080/01972240290108186.
Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2010). Bullying, cyberbullying, and suicide. Archives of Suicide Research, 14(3), 206–221. https://doi.org/10.1080/13811118.2010.494133.
Hopwood, C. J., Donnellan, M. B., Blonigen, D. M., et al. (2011). Genetic and environmental influences on personality trait stability and growth during the transition to adulthood: A three-wave longitudinal study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 100(3), 545–556. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022409.
Huesmann, L. R. (1986). Psychological processes promoting the relation between exposure to media violence and aggressive behavior by the viewer. Journal of Social Issues, 42(3), 125–139. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1986.tb00246.x.
Huesmann, L. R. (1998). The role of social information processing and cognitive schema in the acquisition and maintenance of habitual aggressive behavior. In R. Geen & E. Donnerstein (Eds.), Human aggression: Theories, research and implications for policy (pp. 73–109). New York: Academic.
Huesmann, L. R., & Miller, L. S. (1994). Long-term effects of repeated exposure to media violence in childhood. In L. R. Huesmann (Ed.), Aggressive behavior (pp. 153–186). New York: Springer Science and Business Media.
Hutchens, M. J., Cicchirillo, V. J., & Hmielowski, J. D. (2015). How could you think that?!?!: Understanding intentions to engage in political flaming. New Media & Society, 17(8), 1201–1219. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444814522947.
Hyland, P. K., Hyland, J. M., & Lewis, C. A. (2016). Conceptual and definitional issues regarding Cyberbullying: A case for using the term cyber aggression? In C. Mc Guckin & L. Corcoran (Eds.), Bullying and cyberbullying: prevalence, psychological impacts and intervention strategies (pp. 29–49). New Jersey: Nova Publishers.
Johnson, W., McGue, M., & Krueger, R. F. (2005). Personality stability in late adulthood: A behavioral genetic analysis. Journal of Personality, 73(2), 523–552.
Juvonen, J., & Gross, E. F. (2008). Extending the school grounds? Bullying experiences in cyberspace. Journal of School Health, 78(9), 496–505. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1746-1561.2008.00335.x.
Kärnä, A., Voeton, M., Little, T. D., et al. (2011). A large-scale evaluation of the KiVa antibullying program: Grades 4–6. Child Development, 82(1), 311–330. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01557.x.
Katzer, C., Fetchenhauer, D., & Belschak, F. (2009). Cyberbullying: Who are the victims? A comparison of victimization in internet chatrooms and victimization in school. Journal of Media Psychology-German, 21(1), 25–36. https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-1105.21.1.25.
Kokkinos, C. M., Antoniadou, N., & Markos, A. (2014). Cyber-bullying: An investigation of the psychological profile of university student participants. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 35(3), 204–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2014.04.001.
Kowalski, R. M., Limber, S., & Agatston, P. W. (2008). Cyberbullying: Bullying in the digital age. Malden: Blackwell Publishers.
Krahé, B. (2001). The social psychology of aggression. East Sussex: Psychology Press.
Langos, C. (2012). Cyberbullying: The challenge to define. Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 15(6), 285–289. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2011.0588.
Law, D. M., Shapka, J. D., Hymel, S., et al. (2012). The changing face of bullying: An empirical comparison between traditional and internet bullying and victimization. Computers in Human Behavior, 28(1), 226–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2011.09.004.
Levick, M., & Moon, K. (2010). Prosecuting sexting as child pornography: A critique. Valparaiso University Law Review, 44(4), 1035–1054.
Lingam, R. A., & Aripin, N. (2016). “Nobody Cares, Lah!” The phenomenon of flaming on youtube in Malaysia. Journal of Business Society Review Emergency Economics, 2(1), 71–78. https://doi.org/10.26710/jbsee.v2i1.20.
Lopes, B., & Yu, H. (2017). Who do you troll and why: An investigation into the relationship between the dark triad personalities and online trolling behaviours towards popular and less popular Facebook profiles. Computers in Human Behavior, 77, 69–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.08.036.
Lorenz, L. (1974). Civilised man’s eight deadly sins. Harcourt, Brace. New York: Jovanovich.
Marcum, C. D., Higgins, G. E., & Ricketts, M. L. (2014). Juveniles and cyber stalking in the United States: An analysis of theoretical predictors of patterns of online perpetration. International Journal of Cyber Criminology, 8(1), 47–56.
Mc Guckin, C., & Corcoran, L. (2016). Intervention and prevention programmes on cyberbullying: A review. In R. Navarro, Y. Santiago, & E. Larrañaga (Eds.), Cyberbullying across the globe: Gender, family and mental health (pp. 221–238). London: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25552-1.
Ménard, K. S., & Pincus, A. L. (2012). Predicting overt and cyber stalking perpetration by male and female college students. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 27(11), 2183–2207. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260511432144.
Menesini, E., & Nocentini, A. (2009). Cyberbullying definition and measurement: Some critical considerations. The Journal of Psychology, 217(4), 230–232. https://doi.org/10.1027/0044-3409.217.4.230.
Menesini, E., Nocentini, A., Palladino, B. E., et al. (2013). Definitions of cyberbullying. In P. K. Smith & G. Steffgan (Eds.), Cyberbullying through the new media: Findings from an international network (pp. 23–36). Oxfordshire: Psychology Press.
Menesini, E., Palladino, B. E., & Nocentini, A. (2016). Noncadiamointrappola! Online and school based program to prevent cyberbullying among adolescents. In T. Völlink, F. Dehue, & C. Mc Guckin (Eds.), Cyberbullying and youth: From theory to interventions. Current issues in social psychology series (pp. 156–175). London: Psychology Press/Taylor & Francis.
Minton, S. J. (2016). Physical proximity, social distance, and cyberbullying research. In C. Mc Guckin & L. Corcoran (Eds.), Bullying and cyberbullying: Prevalence, psychological impacts and intervention strategies (pp. 105–118). New York: Nova Publishers.
Moor, P. J., Heuvelman, A., & Verleur, R. (2010). Flaming on youtube. Computers in Human Behavior, 26(6), 1536–1546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2010.05.023.
Nocentini, A., Calmaestra, J., Schultze-Krumbholz, A., et al. (2010). Cyberbullying: Labels, behaviours and definition in three European countries. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 20(2), 129–142. https://doi.org/10.1375/ajgc.20.2.129.
Olweus, D. (1993). Bullying at school: What we know and what we can do. Oxford: Blackwell.
Olweus, D. (2012). Cyberbullying: An overrated phenomenon? The European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 9(5), 520–538. https://doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2012.682358.
Palladino, B. E., Nocentini, A., & Menesini, E. (2016). Evidence-based intervention against bullying and cyberbullying: Evaluation of the NoTrap! program in two independent trials. Aggressive Behavior, 42(2), 194–206. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.21636.
Patchin, J. W., & Hinduja, S. (2006). Bullies move beyond the schoolyard: A preliminary look at cyberbullying. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 4(2), 148–169. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541204006286288.
Patchin, J. W., & Hinduja, S. (2011). Traditional and nontraditional bullying among youth: A test of general strain theory. Youth Society, 43(2), 727–751. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X10366951.
Patterson, G. R., Reid, J. B., & Dishion, T. J. (1992). Antisocial boys. Oregon: Castalia.
Psychological Society of Ireland. (2018). Psychological society of Ireland submission to the oireachtas joint committee on children and youth affairs. The Irish Journal of Psychology, 44(6), 128–129.
Pyżalski, J. (2012). From cyberbullying to electronic aggression: Typology of the phenomenon. Emotional Behavioural Difficulties, 17(3–4), 305–317. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632752.2012.704319.
RAE. (2018). Diccionario de la lengua Española [Dictionary of the Spanish language]. http://dle.rae.es/?id=98ULSyc. Accessed 16 Apr 2018.
Rigby, K., Smith, P. K., & Pepler, D. (2004). Working to prevent school bullying: Key issues. In P. K. Smith, D. Pepler, & K. Rigby (Eds.), Bullying in schools: How successful can interventions be? (pp. 1–12). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Schenk, A. M., & Fremouw, W. J. (2012). Prevalence, psychological impact, and coping of cyberbully victims among college students. Journal of School Violence, 11(1), 21–37. https://doi.org/10.1080/15388220.2011.630310.
Short, E., Barnes, A. B. J., Zhraa, M. C., et al. (2016). Cyberharassment and cyberbullying; Individual and institutional perspectives. Annual Review of Cybertherapy Telemedecine, 14, 115–122.
Slonje, R., & Smith, P. K. (2008). Cyberbullying: Another main type of bullying? Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 49(2), 147–154. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9450.2007.00611.x.
Smith, P. K. (2009). Cyberbullying: Abusive relationships in cyberspace. The Journal of Psychology, 21(4), 180–181. https://doi.org/10.1027/0044-3409.217.4.180.
Smith, P. K. (2012). Cyberbullying and cyber aggression. In S. R. Jimerson, A. B. Nickerson, M. J. Mayer, et al. (Eds.), Handbook of school violence and school safety: International research and practice (2nd ed., pp. 93–103). New York: Routledge.
Smith, J. D., Schneider, B. H., Smith, P. K., et al. (2004). The effectiveness of whole-school antibullying programs: A synthesis of evaluation research. School Psychology Review, 33(4), 547–560.
Smith, P. K., Mahdavi, J., Carvalho, M., et al. (2008). Cyberbullying: Its nature and impact in secondary school pupils. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 49(4), 376–385. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2007.01846.x.
Sourander, A., Klomek, A. B., Ikonen, M., et al. (2010). Psychosocial risk factors associated with cyberbullying among adolescents: A population-based study. Archives of General Psychiatry, 67(7), 720–728. https://doi.org/10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.79.
Sticca, F., & Perren, S. (2013). Is cyberbullying worse than traditional bullying? Examining the differential roles of medium, publicity, and anonymity for the perceived severity of bullying. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 42(5), 739–750. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-012-9867-3.
Szoka, B., & Thierer, A. (2009). Cyberbullying legislation: Why education is preferable to regulation. Progress Freedom Foundation, 16(12), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1422577.
Tedeschi, J. T., & Felson, R. B. (1994). Violence, aggression, and coercive actions. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Tokunaga, R. S. (2010). Following you home from school: A critical review and synthesis of research on cyberbullying victimization. Computers in Human Behavior, 26(3), 277–287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2009.11.014.
Välimäki, M.A. Almeida, D., Cross, M., et al (2012). Guidelines for preventing cyber-bullying in the school environment: A review and recommendations: COST Action IS0801: Cyberbullying: Coping with negative and enhancing positive uses of new technologies, in relationships in educational settings. https://sites.google.com/site/costis0801/guideline.
Vandebosch, H., & Van Cleemput, K. (2008). Defining cyberbullying: A qualitative research into the perceptions of youngsters. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 11(4), 499–503. https://doi.org/10.1089/cpb.2007.0042.
von Marées, N., & Petermann, F. (2012). Cyberbullying: An increasing challenge for schools. School Psychology International, 33(5), 467–476. https://doi.org/10.1177/0143034312445241.
Walther, J. B. (2007). Selective self-presentation in computer-mediated communication: Hyperpersonal dimensions of technology, language, and cognition. Computers in Human Behavior, 23(5), 2538–2557. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2006.05.002.
Wei, H. S., & Chen, J. K. (2009). Social withdrawal, peer rejection and victimization: An examination of path models. Journal of School Violence, 8(1), 18–28. https://doi.org/10.1080/15388220802067755.
Willard, N. E. (2007). Cyberbullying and cyberthreats: Responding to the challenge of online social aggression, threats, and distress. Illinois: Research Press.
Ybarra, M. L., & Mitchell, K. J. (2004). Online aggressor/targets, aggressors, and targets: A comparison of associated youth characteristics. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 45(7), 1308–1316. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00328.x.
Ybarra, M. L., Diener-West, M., & Leaf, P. J. (2007). Examining the overlap in internet harassment and school bullying: Implications for school intervention. Journal of Adolescent Health, 41(6), S42–S50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohea1th.2007.09.004.
Zezulka, L. A., & Seigfried-Spellar, K. C. (2016). Differentiating cyberbullies and internet trolls by personality characteristics and self-esteem. Journal of Digital Forensics, Security, and Law, 11(3), 5. https://doi.org/10.15394/jdfsl.2016.1415.
Zillmann, D. (1979). Hostility and aggression. New Jersey: Erlbaum.
Zillmann, D. (1983). Arousal and aggression. In R. Geen & E. Donnerstein (Eds.), Aggression: Theoretical and empirical reviews (pp. 75–101). New York: Academic.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Hyland, J.M., Hyland, P.K., Corcoran, L. (2018). Cyber Aggression and Cyberbullying: Widening the Net. In: Jahankhani, H. (eds) Cyber Criminology. Advanced Sciences and Technologies for Security Applications. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97181-0_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97181-0_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-97180-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-97181-0
eBook Packages: Law and CriminologyLaw and Criminology (R0)