Raising Parents

Jennifer Hancock: How to Stop Bullying Using Behavioral Science | Raising Parents #18

This episode explores the root causes of bullying, an aggressive behavior of intentionally harming or harassing children, leaving lasting negative impacts on both victims and bullies.

Join Dina Sargeant and Jennifer Hancock as they delve into the issue of bullying, discussing valuable insights offered by behavioral science regarding the methods of preventing bullying and empowering parents, educators, and policymakers to create safe and supportive environments for children.

Meet Jennifer Hancock

Jennifer Hancock is the author of The Bully Vaccine and the owner of “The Bully Vaccine Project” website. She teaches skills and techniques based on Operation Conditioning. Such skills and techniques are reliable and are used by reputable animal trainers, being the basis for most successful weight loss programs. She believes that these behavioral modification principles would make drastic positive changes once applied to bullying.

About the episode

In this episode of Raising Parents, Jennifer Hancock defines bullying as a form of harassment toward individuals, highlighting that the behaviors associated with it are considered criminal when implemented among adults. She refers to bullying as a both powerful and devastating experience, depending on whether you are on the sending or receiving end. 

According to Jennifer, there is a significant relationship between parenting behaviors and children’s involvement in bullying. She also tackles the importance of behavioral science in understanding bullying. Jennifer states that children’s tendency to be aggressive and manipulative may vary according to different personalities. 

As a behaviorist, Jennifer classifies bullying into three categories: adaptive bullying, maladaptive bullying, and bullying related to mental illnesses like psychopathy or sociopathy. She also encourages parents, teachers, and policymakers to recognize bullying as an acquired behavior, emphasizing the importance of education about behavioral change and standing up against bullying.

Jennifer also encourages schools and educational institutions to develop comprehensive bullying prevention plans that are not merely awareness campaigns. She ends the episode with the hopeful outlook that behavioral science is the key to empowering children and cultivating a healthier, kinder, and more empathetic society. 

In conclusion

Bullying is a form of harassment involving aggressive behavior intended to socially violate a person, whether mentally or physically. Parenting behaviors play a significant role in fostering ethical strength to stand up against bullies and injustice. Behavioral science provides valuable insights into how bullying is acquired, facilitating interventions and creating safer environments for children.

Be the first to see our next episode. Follow us on social media to stay updated:

YouTube

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

You can also subscribe and listen to the show on your preferred podcasting platforms:

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Amazon

iHeart Radio

Podbean

PlayerFM

Podchaser

Google Podcast

Nadine Aref

Recent Posts

Toddler Activities for Work-From-Home Parents

Have you ever wondered if it's possible to work from home with a toddler? Managing…

15 hours ago

How the Health Effects of Food Additives Sabotage Cognitive Longevity

In the modern world, the nutritional value of food is often secondary to convenience, and…

5 days ago

The Link Between Wealth and Innovation

Historically, wealth and innovation have been deeply related. From the patronage of Renaissance inventors to…

1 week ago

The Hidden Costs of Perfectionism

If you're reading this, there's a good chance you've felt the pull of perfectionism yourself,…

1 week ago

Where Different Types of Love are Felt in the Body

You might not know this, but love is much more than just feelings; it is…

1 week ago

Why Do We Believe What We Believe? A Deep Dive Into the Psychology of Belief Systems

Beliefs are the invisible architects of life. They influence your interpretation of events, your relationship…

1 week ago