An Investigation of Aggression and Bullying in the Workplace

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.1 Statement of the Problem

1.2 Purpose of the Study

1.3 Research Questions

2. Brief Review of the Literature

2.1 Definitions of Bullying

2.2 Workplace Bullying

3. Research Method

3.1 Informed Consent

3.2 Confidentiality

3.3 Geographic Location

3.4 Data Collection Procedures

3.5 Instrumentation

3.6 Validity and Reliabilty

3.7 Data Analysis Procedures

3.8 Summary

Objectives and Topics of the Dissertation

The primary objective of this research is to analyze the characteristics of workplace bullying, focusing on both perpetrators and victims. By utilizing a mixed methods approach, the study seeks to bridge the gap in existing literature regarding personality traits, dysfunctional upbringing, and organizational factors that contribute to aggressive workplace behavior in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area.

• Prevalence of workplace bullying across different professional settings.
• Psychological and behavioral profiling of bullying perpetrators and victims.
• Influence of upbringing and family-life antecedents on aggressive workplace conduct.
• Development of insights into covert versus overt workplace aggression.
• Operationalization of bullying through subjective perceptions and frequency-based metrics.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

Introduction: Provides a foundation by discussing the rampant nature of workplace bullying and the insufficiency of current regulations and research to mitigate the problem.

Brief Review of the Literature: Examines existing definitions of bullying, distinguishes between schoolyard and workplace contexts, and reviews studies on individual dynamics and negative social acts in the workplace.

Research Method: Details the mixed methods research design, including data collection via the Workplace Aggression Research Questionnaire (WARQ), sampling procedures, ethical considerations like informed consent, and analysis techniques using NVivo and statistical cross-tabulation.

Keywords

Workplace Bullying, Aggression, Perpetrator, Victim, Social Constructivism, Mixed Methods, Negative Acts Questionnaire, Psychological Abuse, Workplace Environment, Personality Traits, Dysfunctional Upbringing, Organizational Behavior, Harassment, Mental Fitness, Coping Resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this research paper?

The paper examines the phenomenon of aggression and bullying in the workplace, specifically aiming to profile the characteristics of those involved and the antecedents that lead to such behavior.

What are the primary themes discussed in the work?

Key themes include the impact of bullying on organizational productivity, the prevalence of hidden bullying, the role of dysfunctional upbringing in perpetrator behavior, and the necessity of improved organizational responses.

What is the primary research goal?

The primary goal is to provide diagnostic insights into the personality traits, socio-demographic profiles, and organizational statuses of both bullies and their victims to better understand and eventually mitigate workplace aggression.

Which scientific methodology is employed?

The study utilizes a mixed methods research design, combining quantitative data from the Workplace Aggression Research Questionnaire (WARQ) with qualitative insights gained from in-depth, face-to-face interviews.

What does the main body of the work cover?

The main body reviews existing literature on bullying definitions, describes the research framework and data collection methods, and outlines the procedures for analyzing psychological and organizational factors.

Which keywords characterize this research?

The study is characterized by terms such as workplace bullying, aggression, perpetrator, victim, social constructivism, and mixed methods research design.

Why is "social constructivism" used as a theoretical framework?

It is used to allow for a degree of objectivity in interpreting the subjective experiences of participants regarding the causes and patterns of bullying behaviors in their work lives.

How does the researcher address the difficulty of anonymity in this study?

To protect identities, the researcher utilizes dual-judge manual coding for interviews and avoids video recording, ensuring all data is stored securely and reported only in the aggregate.