The effects of bullying on passive student observers was examined among 470 middle school students grades 5 through 8. Students completed a 35 item survey with questions regarding demographic information, number of friends, and bullying behavior of self and others. Five additional questions probed students feelings about bullying including attitudes towards the bully and the victim. Results indicated that seventh graders had the highest rate of bullying. By eighth grade approximately 60 percent of students reported having bullied someone at least once. Only 20 percent of fifth graders reported having bullied a fellow student. The overall frequency of bullying was high with 30 percent of male and female students reporting having been bullied in the last 5 days. The majority of bullying was same sex. Male students reported more acts of physical bullying including kicking and punching. Female students reported more indirect bullying including exclusion from peer groups. Overall attitudes towards bullying were more favorable among male students than females. The older students were more indifferent about bullying and less sympathetic to victims than the younger students. Thirty-six percent of eighth graders were indifferent about bullying while only 9 percent of fifth graders were indifferent and 30 percent were very upset by bullying. Bullies were not admired by many students in any grade level. Male students were less sympathetic to victims than female students across all grade levels. Overall sympathy dwindled from fifth to eighth grade. Lastly, fifth graders were more likely to assist a victim while eighth graders were more likely to assist a bully. When students were asked to choose a role of bully or victim, fifth graders were more likely to choose the role of victim and eighth graders the role of bully. The researchers concluded that bullying is a widespread problem in middle schools that needs to be addressed through bullying prevention programs targeted at fifth graders since they would be most receptive to such programs. The most troubling finding was the apparent desensitization among eighth graders regarding the victimization of their classmates. Further research on this desensitization is needed. References