AbstractBystander behavior in bullying has received increasing attention in the literature, but it is seldom grounded in a strong theoretical context and rarely draws from multiple disciplines. The current article proposes how theory in mass communication can aid research efforts seeking to better understand and prevent bullying through bystander intervention. This article first provides an over view of the research on bystanders in bullying and uses Latane´ and Darley’s (The unresponsive bystander: why doesn’t he help? Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs,1970) classic bystander intervention model as an organizing framework. Next, mass communication theory, with its focus on the strategic use of messaging to affect attitudes
and behaviors, is reviewed. Theory and research in com-munication relevant to the prevention of bullying is then discussed, with particular attention to the bystander inter-vention model. The article concludes with recommenda-tions for how future research and interventions grounded in communication and psychology may advance our under-standing and encouragement of adolescent bystander
intervention behavior in bullying.KeywordsBystander interventionMass communication Bullying