ABSTRACT
Maines and Robinson (1991a, b; 1992) similarly take the view that we cannot ignore the social context of bullying. They argue that bullying arises out of interpersonal interactions in which dominance and status are gained by some at the expense of less prestigious members of a peer group. Membership of the group is to some extent defined by the exclusion of those who are not members. It is only by fostering co-operative values such as empathy, concern for others and unselfishness within the peer group that the bully will relinquish power as a result of peer pressure. Punitive measures are bound to fail since they simply reinforce the values of hierarchy and dominance through power. Punishment may also put the victim at risk of revenge attacks.
