Practical Activity Choreography: Theme & Research

Within the image above you can see a victim of bullying surrounded by 3 Bullies. The bullies are on a higher level showing their power over the victim. The victim is on the floor curled in a ball, almost hiding from the bullies.  The mental state of bulling victims are low and many suffer from poor mental health as a result. The bullies are pointing towards the victim. This makes me think about verbal bullying and name calling. It also makes me think of other types of bulling which can be physical. 

In the background school lockers can be seen, this indicated a popular place where bullying takes place. Having the school lockers also shows the bullies and victim are children. 

From this image I have created movement to help show my theme and intentions. In the dance I have used pointing movements to show the verbal bullying, I have also used pushing movements and contact work to show the how bullying can develop over time from a verbal bullying to more physical actions.

For the victim I have used hiding movement such as curling in a ball and hiding the face, this is to show fear of the perpetrator and vulnerability they feel. Hiding aware from the danger they feel mentally and physically. 

From the image I also had the idea of having a power imbalance between the victim and the bullies. I have replicated the number of dancers from the photo for my group choreography having 3 bullies vs 1 viction. This will allow me to use lifts to manipulate the dancers movements and show how the victim is isolated from their peers and society. 

This image has also inspired me to use levels to create and show a power imbalance between the victim and bullies. Having the victim on a low level will show vulnerability and fear and having the Bullies on a high level will show power and control. 

I have also use circling movement patterns where the bullies surround the victim from this image, helping to create an image of fear from the victim and vulnerability in the situation.

Research Source 2: Internet (Facts)

In order to inform my research I have used information from the following website to gain knowledge, understanding and facts on Bullying 

• Defeat the Label (2023). Is social exclusion bullying. [online] Available at: https://defeatthelabel.com/is-social-exclusion-bullying/ 

• Family Lives (2023). Verbal bullying | Family Lives. [online] Available at: https://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/bullying/general-advice/verbal-bullying

• Positive Action (2021). What Is Physical Bullying and How to Prevent It? | Positive Action. [online] www.positiveaction.net. Available at: https://www.positiveaction.net/blog/physical-bullying.

• Warner, M. (2021). The impact of bullying on mental health. [online] Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Available at: https://med.uth.edu/psychiatry/2021/03/12/the-impact-of-bullying-on-mental-health/.

(You can use the button at the bottom of the page to create references for the sources you use- just copy and past the URL)

"The effects of bullying have serious and lasting negative impacts on our mental health and overall well being. Bullying can cause feelings of rejection, exclusion, isolation, low self-esteem, and some individuals can develop depression and anxiety as a result. In some cases it can even develop into Acute Stress Disorder or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Research has shown that being a victim of bullying can lead to longer term impacts including interpersonal violence, substance use, sexual violence, poor social functioning, and poor performance. Even witnessing bullying can impact one’s wellbeing." (Warner, 2021).

I have used this research finding to help me create and develop my motif (see motif development page by clicking here)

I have used the following information regarding forms of bullying to help me develop my structure through various themes. Each type of bulling will create an episode in my episodic structure. 

Social Exclusion is now recognized as a subgroup of bullying. This means that idea of excluding someone repeatedly, aggressively and on purpose with the intent to cause emotional harm to them, is right up there with verbal, physical and cyber bullying. Social exclusion is bullying when a child feels alone or left out because of the manipulation of their peer relationships and social status (Defeat the label, 2023). 

It is not uncommon for people to experience some form of verbal bullying (being called names or insulted) at some point in their lives. Many young people we speak to hear insults on a daily basis when they are in school or socially (Family Lives, 2023)

Physical bullying is the use of physical actions to intimidate and gain control over a target. The physical actions are unwanted by the victim and can either cause damage to their body or possessions. This behavior is all too common in schools. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 6.7% of students in the 2016-2017 school year were physically bullied.

Some common types of violence enacted through physical bullying include:

• Hitting or kicking

• Shoving or pushing

• Tripping

• Pinching

• Damage of property 

(Positive Action, 2021). 

This research of  common types of violence helped me create movement within episode 3 of my choreography. I have incorporated these physical bullying behaviours through a variety of partner and group work between the victim and the bullies

Physical bullying (and other types of bullying) differ from mean actions in the following ways:

• Power imbalance — The target of bullying is usually defenseless due to a disparity in power with their attacker. It may be physical — the bully could be stronger or have ‘bullying assistants’. Or it could be intellectual, such as children with learning differences.

• Repetitive behavior — Physical bullying is ongoing and habitual, not a one-time act.

• Intentional actions — The bully carries out violence with the intention of harming the other child." (Positive Action, 2021).