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Cyberbullying

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science

Synonyms

eBullying; Electronic bullying; Technological bullying

Definition

Cyberbullying is a behavior conducted through technological means with an intention to hurt, is usually repeated and where there is an imbalance of power in the relationship.

Introduction

While bullying is a behavior which has occurred for most of human history, with the advent of technological communication, cyberbullying through this medium is now possible. There has been definitional controversy whether cyberbullying is a form of bullying or another phenomenon. Further, there is disagreement about the severity of its consequences compared to face-to-face bullying. The roles involved in cyberbullying have been researched and the motives that lead individuals to conduct this behavior have been explored. However, prevention and intervention of cyberbullying is a consistent theme. To inform these efforts, the perspectives that cyberbullying is a maladaptive socially learnt behavior or an evolutionary adaptation...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

    Marilyn Campbell

Authors
  1. Marilyn Campbell
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Correspondence to Marilyn Campbell .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Todd K. Shackelford

  2. Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Viviana A. Weekes-Shackelford

Section Editor information

  1. University of South Carolina - Beaufort, Bluffton, SC, USA

    Carey Fitzgerald

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Campbell, M. (2018). Cyberbullying. In: Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2495-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2495-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

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