Coping with Bullying in the Classroom Through Agent-Based Modeling

In the recent year, observation of Ijime among Japanese students has been a growing concern. To understand the effect of this behavior in a detail level, we build an agent-based model and conduct a set of experiments. In the model, the main interactions occur between victim and bully as prisoner dilemma game. The results indicate that students can attend higher social standing by being not cooperative. As such, if one is a victim, it is recommended not to comply with the bully. In the case of being bullied, one needs to take the role seriously. By encouraging victim to be aggressive toward bully, the effect of Ijime can be alleviated.