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You Can’t Sit With Us

The Culture of Bullying

Bullying
So What? Who Cares? I'm Bored!

Laura Martocci Ph.D. on May 25, 2018

Boredom can be positioned as the upshot of tolerance. When everything is allowed, what is worth standing for, save intensity of experience?

Boredom can be positioned as the upshot of tolerance. When everything is allowed, what is worth standing for, save intensity of experience?

Health
WalkUpNotOut, Mental Health, and Peer Responsibility

Laura Martocci Ph.D. on April 13, 2018

Mental health, like bullying before it, is a strawman; a simplistic, reductionist explanation for school shootings. The peer group can, however, read the nuances of youth culture.

Mental health, like bullying before it, is a strawman; a simplistic, reductionist explanation for school shootings. The peer group can, however, read the nuances of youth culture.

Anxiety
Bullying: The BACK Story

Laura Martocci Ph.D. on March 8, 2018

The way out of the 'pain loop'—for anyone who is spiraling through stress-chemical reactions to bullying or to chronic pain—lies in addressing the anxiety.

The way out of the 'pain loop'—for anyone who is spiraling through stress-chemical reactions to bullying or to chronic pain—lies in addressing the anxiety.

Friends
"The Kind of Kid You Would Expect To...."

Laura Martocci Ph.D. on February 15, 2018

Instead of reinforcing these characterizations (where has that have gotten us?), it is important to understand their limitations.

Instead of reinforcing these characterizations (where has that have gotten us?), it is important to understand their limitations.

Embarrassment
#Metoo-ocracy and the Democratization of Social Justice

Laura Martocci Ph.D. on January 23, 2018

I began to wonder about victims who might be missing from the conversation—"collaborators" for whom “#metoo” meant “I closed my eyes and made my mind go blank."

I began to wonder about victims who might be missing from the conversation—"collaborators" for whom “#metoo” meant “I closed my eyes and made my mind go blank."

Self-Harm
Self-Cyberbullying

Laura Martocci Ph.D. on November 28, 2017

New study reports that nearly six percent of students (approximately 1 in 20) admitted to posting something cruel about themselves online.

New study reports that nearly six percent of students (approximately 1 in 20) admitted to posting something cruel about themselves online.

Bullying
The Bully Inside

Laura Martocci Ph.D. on October 10, 2017

If we don’t accept our imperfect selves, how much of our tendency to gather "facts," form opinions, and label others brings us to the brink of bullying?

If we don’t accept our imperfect selves, how much of our tendency to gather "facts," form opinions, and label others brings us to the brink of bullying?

Gender
All-Female "Lord of the Flies" Remake

Laura Martocci Ph.D. on October 5, 2017

How would a Muslim girl, a transgender boy, a girl suffering from autism (and, of course, a female 'Piggy') influence dynamics in an all-female Lord of the Flies remake?

How would a Muslim girl, a transgender boy, a girl suffering from autism (and, of course, a female 'Piggy') influence dynamics in an all-female Lord of the Flies remake?

Bullying
Back to School: Packing Your Emotional Backpack

Laura Martocci Ph.D. on August 25, 2017

Witnessing the pain of our children—the shutting down and withdrawal—may reawaken feeling-traps of our own, and cause us to respond in disproportionate ways.

Witnessing the pain of our children—the shutting down and withdrawal—may reawaken feeling-traps of our own, and cause us to respond in disproportionate ways.

Friends
Bystanders and Boundaries

Laura Martocci Ph.D. on August 1, 2017

Has this happened to you? You're chatting with a friend when, suddenly, they lean a bit closer and begin to confide in you about a mutual friend... and expect you will take sides.

Has this happened to you? You're chatting with a friend when, suddenly, they lean a bit closer and begin to confide in you about a mutual friend... and expect you will take sides.

Bullying
The Para-professional–Student Relationship

Laura Martocci Ph.D. on June 21, 2017

Para-professionals wield tremendous power over their charges. After reading “My Paraprofessional Was Supposed to Help me; instead, she Bullied me” I went looking for an interview.

Para-professionals wield tremendous power over their charges. After reading “My Paraprofessional Was Supposed to Help me; instead, she Bullied me” I went looking for an interview.

Law and Crime
Live-streamed Violent Criminal Acts

Laura Martocci Ph.D. on June 9, 2017

Should we discourage live-streaming of violence by punishing online witnesses who do nothing? If not, do we become the bystanders?

Should we discourage live-streaming of violence by punishing online witnesses who do nothing? If not, do we become the bystanders?

Bullying
How Am I Supposed to Feel?

Laura Martocci Ph.D. on May 22, 2017

“Take a deep breath and walk away” is advice that often translates as “continue to take it.”

“Take a deep breath and walk away” is advice that often translates as “continue to take it.”

Bullying
What are 'Horizontal Hostilities?'

Laura Martocci Ph.D. on April 29, 2017

Horizontal hostilities occur between groups whom one would expect to have close affinities. "Compromise" becomes the stuff of betrayal, more heinous than straight-out opposition.

Horizontal hostilities occur between groups whom one would expect to have close affinities. "Compromise" becomes the stuff of betrayal, more heinous than straight-out opposition.

Bullying
The Emily Houser Hate Party

Laura Martocci Ph.D. on April 9, 2017

18 year old Emily Houser reported her boss for sexual harassment. Her co-workers response? A “F*ck Emily Houser” hate party—complete with a sheet cake expressing that sentiment

18 year old Emily Houser reported her boss for sexual harassment. Her co-workers response? A “F*ck Emily Houser” hate party—complete with a sheet cake expressing that sentiment

Friends
Are We All Haters?

Laura Martocci Ph.D. on February 28, 2017

"All my friends in New York define themselves by what they hate,” says Lena Dunham’s character, Hannah Horvath, on Girls.

"All my friends in New York define themselves by what they hate,” says Lena Dunham’s character, Hannah Horvath, on Girls.

Identity
Bullying, Identity, and the "Escape from Freedom"

Laura Martocci Ph.D. on January 19, 2017

“If humanity cannot live with the dangers and responsibilities inherent in freedom, it will probably turn to authoritarianism.” Erich Fromm, 1941.

“If humanity cannot live with the dangers and responsibilities inherent in freedom, it will probably turn to authoritarianism.” Erich Fromm, 1941.

Bullying
Yes Virginia, Family Members Can be Bullies

Laura Martocci Ph.D. on December 20, 2016

Family tables are where we first learn that our silence keeps us out of the line of fire. Yet be wary of addressing the disrespect of the present AND the slights of holidays past.

Family tables are where we first learn that our silence keeps us out of the line of fire. Yet be wary of addressing the disrespect of the present AND the slights of holidays past.

Embarrassment
Rhetoric, Violence, and Redemption

Laura Martocci Ph.D. on November 15, 2016

Social pain—rejection, shame, disrespect—resonates in the "pain center" of the brain, impairing cognitive capacities. This opens the door for violent responses to Trump's rhetoric.

Social pain—rejection, shame, disrespect—resonates in the "pain center" of the brain, impairing cognitive capacities. This opens the door for violent responses to Trump's rhetoric.