What defines bullying aggression?

Bullying aggression is primarily characterized by unprovoked, repeated physical or verbal attacks. This definition highlights key elements of bullying: it is intentional, aggressive behavior that occurs repeatedly, and it involves a power imbalance, where the aggressor seeks to harm the victim. This type of aggression is not simply a part of typical social interactions or competition, as it involves a deliberate intention to cause harm, whether through physical actions, verbal harassment, or emotional distress.

Understanding bullying in this manner is crucial because it allows for interventions and strategies to be developed specifically aimed at addressing and preventing such behavior. Recognizing the unprovoked and repeated nature of these attacks also serves to differentiate bullying from normal childhood disputes or playful interactions that may occur among peers, which do not involve the same intention to intimidate or harm.