Anatomy of Child Bullying in Japan 3: Bullying and the Relation to Teacher Leadership - Papers & Essays

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Anatomy of Child Bullying in Japan 3: Bullying and the Relation to Teacher Leadership

Summary:

School atmosphere is a factor in promoting and preventing or curtailing the incidence of bullying. Teacher leadership plays a strong role in the creation of this atmosphere. Teacher leadership can be categorized in terms of two functions. The first is the Performance Function (P Function), which consists of instruction and organization, and the second is the Maintenance Function (M Function), which entails maintaining and managing relationships. When both functions are weak, bullying and classroom disorder are more likely to occur. Moreover, when only the P Function is strong, students tend to experience dissatisfaction, which is likely to lead to bullying, but compared to when both functions are low, it also suggests that P Function works to curtail bullying. The study also found that when both functions were high or when the M Function alone was high, there was an atmosphere of mutual acceptance, bullying was less likely to occur, and the teacher was also well liked.

Keywords:
atmosphere, bullying, class, classroom collapse, school, Shinkichi Sugimori, teacher, teacher leadership, teacher's role
Japanese

Anatomy of Child Bullying in Japan


Today, bullying is not just a problem between children who bully and those who are bullied. Here, I take a perspective that considers it to be a problem that occurs within a group and explain the relation between bullying and the teacher's leadership in the class group. Observations of the teacher-class relationship are also seen to apply to relationships between the parent-child at home and in workplace relationships.

In a class, the teacher is the acknowledged leader. How does teacher leadership affect the atmosphere of a class and promote or prevent the occurrence of bullying?

Ordinarily, bullying is considered to take place out of the sight of the teacher and other adults, and because the teacher is not directly involved, what the teacher says and does may not be thought of as having much effect on bullying. Nevertheless, there is ample data indicating that teacher leadership has a significant effect on the occurrence of bullying.

Chart 1 employs the PM Functions that are used to discuss and measure leadership. Teacher leadership can be divided into the P Function (Performance Function) and M Function (Maintenance Function). P Function refers to activities that structure the class as a group, including making and observing rules. M Function refers to activities that maintain human relations within the class group, including becoming close to students and watching over and recognizing them, etc.

Think back to your homeroom teacher when you were in the sixth grade. What would be their total PM scores? If you can't remember, try to remember a different grade. The lowest total PM score is 10 for each and the highest is 50. Using the Excel sheet, you can input and tally the score yourself.

Chart 1. Teacher PM Leadership

What was your homeroom teacher like when you were in the sixth grade? Mark the answer that best applies to each of the 20 P and M Functions below, from 1 (Not at all) to 5 (Very much) and total the score.

Not at all Not much Half of the time Fairly well Very much
P Functions
1.Admonished us for forgetting to bring books and school supplies 1 2 3 4 5
2.Reminded us to bring books and supplies 1 2 3 4 5
3.Reminded us to study at home (do homework) 1 2 3 4 5
4.Reminded us to wear name tag, carry a handkerchief and other daily items 1 2 3 4 5
5.Reminded us to keep desk and bags neat, where to place hats, etc. 1 2 3 4 5
6.Reminded us to use things carefully and with respect 1 2 3 4 5
7.Encouraged us to be friendly with all students in the class 1 2 3 4 5
8.Encouraged clear expression of opinion 1 2 3 4 5
9.Reminded us to observe rules and regulations 1 2 3 4 5
10.Encouraged questions when something was not understood and inquiry on one's own 1 2 3 4 5
P = Total minimum score of 30 or more is considered P.
p = Total score of less than 30.
P Function Total (    ) points
M Functions
1.Understood children's feelings 1 2 3 4 5
2.Considered things from children's perspective 1 2 3 4 5
3.Impartial and treated all children the same 1 2 3 4 5
4.Listened to what children were saying 1 2 3 4 5
5.Teaching helped students learn how to study 1 2 3 4 5
6.When students did the wrong thing, asked the reason before scoldingく 1 2 3 4 5
7.Gave advice when students were troubled 1 2 3 4 5
8.Explanations helped students understand 1 2 3 4 5
9.Played with students 1 2 3 4 5
10.During class, stopped at each desk to teach and help individual students 1 2 3 4 5
M = Total minimum score of 30 or more
m = Total score of less than 30
M Function Total (    ) points

The total minimum score of 30 or more is represented as an upper-case or large P or M and a score of less that 30 as a lower-case or small p or m, with upper- and lower-case letters indicating relative strength of the P or M Functions. These functions are thus paired as follows: PM (both functions are strong), Pm (strong P, weak m), pM (weak p, strong M) or pm (both weak). What do these functions tell us about the teacher and the class?

The same questions were presented to university students. What were the results? Do you find anything in common with your classes? We categorized the PM style given by university students to their sixth-grade homeroom teacher into four types and for each type, had them score the teacher from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very much) in response to questions as "How cohesive was the class?" "Was the class fun?" and "How did you like the teacher?" (Fig. 1 to Fig. 3). Students were also asked to describe the class and responded with their own comments (Chart 2).

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Fig. 1. Cohesiveness in the Classroom by Teacher Leadership Type

school_2013_5_2.jpg
Fig. 2. Fun in the Classroom by Teacher Leadership Type

school_2013_5_3.jpg
Fig. 3. Teacher Popularity by Teacher Leadership Type

Chart 2. 6th Grade Class by Teacher Leadership Type

Classes of PM teachers (strong P and M)
  • Energetic, cheerful class
  • Sometimes argued, but had a good relationship
  • Good class solidarity in events.
  • This teacher's class always won the sport events.
  • We felt the teacher liked us.
  • Class was cohesive and it was fun to go to school every day. We were afraid when the teacher got angry, but as a class we often put on fun events. Efforts were made to make students with developmental disorders feel comfortable.
  • The class was cheerful, energetic and fun. The teacher took care of bullying when it seemed likely to occur, and the class became united in the end.
  • The best homeroom teacher ever. The school had lots of problems, but we got along. The teacher used nicknames and always found something distinctive about each of us and tried to bring out our individuality.
  • We concentrated during class. Everyone played outside during recess. Good atmosphere.
  • Cheerful and energetic class. The teacher got angry every day, but the class was lots of fun.
Classes of Pm teachers (strong P, weak m)
  • The teacher was serious and the class was quiet.
  • The teacher had favorite students.
  • We didn't understand why the teacher was angry.
  • Thoroughly militaristic instruction, and separated the math class by test scores.
  • There was bullying.
  • The class split into two groups and there was no cohesion.
  • It was like the TV drama "The Queen's Classroom" (Joo no kyoshitsu). Everyday was uncomfortable, boring and dull.
  • The teacher was very particular about everything, which bothered the male students, but it contributed to group cohesion and everyone got along.
  • The class was not in a state of collapse, but there was not much cohesion.
Classes of pM teachers (weak p, strong M)
  • Good atmosphere and good teamwork between boys and girls.
  • Not so strict about forgotten homework; gave students quite a bit of freedom.
  • In Sports Day events, the class focused on practice and cheering on other members. Everybody got along harmoniously.
  • Good overall atmosphere. Everyone liked the teacher who tried to look things from the students' viewpoint.
  • Very good teacher. Good class atmosphere, but we didn't do much studying.
  • One child was bullied for a time, but this stopped in the second half of the year and everyone got along well.
Classes of pm teachers (weak p and weak m)
  • The class was in a state of collapse.
  • Close to total collapse.
  • Terrible bullying.
  • The class lacked cohesion.
  • Disorder in the classroom. Many students did not attend class and played games. The class was united in its rebellion against the teacher.
  • The teacher got mad at kids who were difficult to handle, which made the atmosphere bad.
  • Many of the students had not the chance to learn how to study. The class was divided and not cohesive.

What do these figures and charts tell us?

The classes of PM teachers (both high P and M) were well liked by students, united as a group, showed good results in their activities, and were considered fun. Even when bullying occurred, it was resolved through the teacher's efforts, and students with developmental disabilities also felt comfortable and secure.

As for the classes of teachers with only one high function (either Pm or pM), classes of Pm teachers had a tense atmosphere and the students did not like the teacher or feel comfortable and secure in the class. In contrast, classes of pM teachers had a warm atmosphere; students liked the teacher, and the classes were totally different in character from the former. What could be the reason?

Teachers with a high P function only tend to control the students so that the class fits their view of what a good class is (children are well-behaved and highly motivated to study, etc.). The teacher rigidly applies his or her own theory and views of how students should be, and as a result, the students do not understand why the teacher is angry and feel that the teacher does not understand them, etc. Also, when the teacher treats students in a negative manner for behavior that does not coincide with his or her principles, the teacher implicitly sends a message to the children that bullying is justified when there is a reason. This results in bullying of the child or stress that leads to the act of bullying. Research on bullying also indicates that in classes of teachers who have excessively strong ideas on how classes should be held (strong irrational beliefs), bullying is more likely to occur and more students tend to think that teacher does not understand them or do not like the teacher. However, if students are clearly instructed that bullying is unacceptable, this acts as a definite restraint, and for this reason, even if bullying occurs, it is not likely to become widespread.

On the other hand, because teachers with only a high M function (pM) acknowledge the students, and try to understand their feelings, this also encourages the students to acknowledge each other.

The last case is that of teachers with both low p and m functions (pm). The classes of pm teachers are characterized by rampant bullying and disorder(classroom collapse). Why are effective rules difficult and bullying and classroom collapse often problems for pm teachers? Because the pm teacher finds it difficult to make rules and understand children's feelings well, the class tends to become less cohesive, and if no action is taken, mutual recognition declines and rules are also ignored. Students are also less fond of the teacher; they do only what they like and refuse to do what they don't like. They only talk to their friends and pay no attention if another student is isolated and friendless. Classroom collapse ensues, bullying is rampant, and students who feel alienated and out of place feel even more helpless and vulnerable.

As seen above, bullying and other problems of abusive behavior are less likely to occur in a class that is a well-organized group with rules that enable it to function well for the mutual recognition and support of its members. This also applies, to a greater or lesser extent, to the family, workplace, and any sort of group.



Related article

"Anatomy of Japanese Bullying"

Profile:
report_sugimori_shinkichi.jpg Dr. Sugimori is Professor of Social Psychology at Tokyo Gakugei University, conducting research on group psychology (evaluation of team working, psychology in the citizen judge system, and effects of experiential activities) as well as risk psychology, from the standpoint of cultural social psychology focusing on social relations between individuals and groups. He also serves as Board Member of the Japanese Society for Law and Psychology; Executive Board Member of the Society for Field-Culture Education; Board Member of the Youth Friendship Association; Councilor of the Outward Bound Japan; Researcher of the Center for Research on Educational Testing; Board Member of the Children Institute for the Future, Tokyo Gakugei University; Chairman of the Accreditation Committee, Japan Association for Certifying and Training Educational Specialists.

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