Peer Conflict vs. Bullying

Peer Conflict

• Equal power

• Past relationship(s)

• Conflict - Accidental 

• Equal emotional reaction 

• Not seeking power or attention

• Not attempting to escalate the problem

• Shows remorse

• Motivated by a disagreement

• Takes responsibility for their own actions
• Effort to resolve the problem or conflict

Bullying

• One-sided

• Imbalance of power

• Seeking power, attention or material things

• Attempting to gain control through conflict
• Strong emotional reaction from victim
• Blames the victim

• KEY: Motivated by a distinguishing characteristic

• NOT as a result of heightened frustration during a conflict

• No effort to solve the problem of conflict