Why is explicit praise considered a key component of bullying intervention?

• A. It discourages reporting to authorities
• B. It reduces the need for supervision
• C. Bullies and targets need social reinforcement for good behavior
• D. It creates a punitive atmosphere

Answer: (C)

Explicit praise acts as social reinforcement for prosocial behavior in bullying interventions. When students who intervene, support victims, or report incidents are openly praised, those positive actions become more attractive and more likely to recur because they are noticed, valued, and rewarded by peers and adults. This helps establish a norm where constructive responses to bullying are expected and reinforced, shifting the social environment toward safety and support. It also reduces the appeal of bullying by shifting attention away from negative behavior and toward rewarding what is positive. The other options don’t fit because praising positive actions should encourage reporting, supervision and ongoing support remain important, and a constructive climate is created rather than a punitive one.