The Hierarchy of Social Development

The hierarchy has four levels (concepts). As with any hierarchy, the most advanced or highest level is placed at the top. After the concepts have been taught, reference is made only to the LETTER. For example, the highest level is referred to as LEVEL D.

LEVEL D - Democracy (highest level)

Ø Develops self-discipline

Ø Demonstrates initiative

Ø Displays responsibility

Ø Does good because it is the right thing to do

The motivation is INTERNAL.

On this level, a person's MOTIVATION is INternal. The concept of democracy is used because democracy and responsibility are inseparable. The goal is to aim at this level.

LEVEL C - Cooperation/Conformity

Ø Considerate

Ø Cooperates

Ø Complies

Ø Conforms

The motivation is EXTERNAL.

This level is characterized by consideration and complying with requests; but the MOTIVATION is EXternal. Action at this level is often prompted by MOTIVATION to please others, receive a reward, or to avoid a negative consequence. Most of us live our lives at this level. A danger exists at this level; however, when the young conform and comply to peer influence that may not be in societies or in the person's best interests. The difference between the two is in the MOTIVATION, rather than in the behavior. For example, if a teacher asks a student to pick up trash and dispose of it, and the student does, that demonstrates Level C. If, however, the students see the trash and takes the initiative to dispose of it WITHOUT THE TEACHER'S FIRST ASKING that demonstrates Level D motivation. The BEHAVIOR is often the same. The difference is in the MOTIVATION.

These two higher levels of MOTIVATION are BOTH acceptable.

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The two lower levels of BEHAVIOR are NOT acceptable.

LEVEL B - Bossing/Bullying

Ø Bosses others

Ø Bothers others

Ø Bullies others

Ø Breaks laws and makes own standards

Bullying: Bullying is not limited to taking someone's lunch money or pushing someone down on the playground as most people envision. The following are types of bullying behavior.

· Physical Aggression - hitting, pushing, spitting and stalking

· Verbal Aggression - name calling, teasing, making insulting remarks, threatening, disrespecting or demeaning a person's race, disability, appearance, or sexual orientation

· Emotional Aggression - spreading rumors, isolating a person from a peer group through hurtful gossip

· Sexual Aggression - unwanted sexual advances or actions intended to make the other person uncomfortable, embarrassed, or humiliated, and might include obscenities or gestures, exposure, or physical contact

· Cyber Bullying - using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phone to communicate words, images, or language, to willfully harm a person in the manner described above

Must be bossed to behave

This level is characterized by a lack of impulse control, a lack of consideration for others, and by displaying inappropriate behaviors. When behaving at this level the young are sending the message, "Control us because we are not capable of controlling ourselves."

What constitutes Bullying: Everyone talks about bullying, but when asked, few can give a consistent, clear-cut definition of the term. In Polk County Schools, student behavior is defined as bullying if it meets three criteria:

1. A behavior must be unwanted, offensive, threatening, insulting, humiliating, or interferes with the individual’s school performance which results in the victim feeling stressed, injured, or threatened.
2. There must be an imbalance of power between the victim and the aggressor.
3. The behavior must be repeated.

Reporting Bullying: Here are a few tips if you are a parent who needs to report bullying to a school.

• Write down what your child says so you can remember the details.
• Don’t let the child talk you out of getting involved
• Talk with the teacher first. Then speak with others as necessary
• Do not contact the bully or his/her parents directly.
• Keep an open line of communication with the school to monitor progress.

POLK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HARASSMENT OR BULLYING REPORTING FORM

ESCUELAS PÚBLICAS DEL CONDADO DE POLK FORMULARIO DE INFORME DE ACOSO O INTIMIDACIÓN

LEVEL A - Anarchy (lowest level)

Ø Absence of order

Ø Aimless and chaotic

Ø Absence of government

Anarchy is the fundamental enemy of civilization.

This level is characterized by chaos, being out of control, unsafe.