Norm Misperception and Witnessing Bullying: The Role of Individual and Contextual Characteristics

Previous studies have shown that when young people witness bullying, perceived social norms of their peer group affect their behavior. However, few studies have examined the specificity of norm misperception (i.e., overestimation of peer antisocial responses and the underestimation of prosocial responses relative to the objective group norm) on specific witness responses (joining in, bystanding or active defending).

Citation:
Camacho A, Runions K, Ortega-Ruiz R, Romera EM. Norm Misperception and Witnessing Bullying: The Role of Individual and Contextual Characteristics. J Adolesc. 2025.

Keywords:
Defending; descriptive norms; deviant peer pressure; gender; passive bystanding; pro‐bullying

Abstract:
Previous studies have shown that when young people witness bullying, perceived social norms of their peer group affect their behavior. However, few studies have examined the specificity of norm misperception (i.e., overestimation of peer antisocial responses and the underestimation of prosocial responses relative to the objective group norm) on specific witness responses (joining in, bystanding or active defending).