About Teasing

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Teasing has been described by psychologists as privileged disrespect (Radcliffe-Brown, 1940), playful annoyance (Pawluk, 1989), and a mock insult (Eisennberg, 1986). The contradictory nature of this word is best conveyed through its derivation. Teasing roots from the Anglo-Saxon word taesan (to tear apart) and the French word attiser (to make warm) (Pawluk, 1989).

Teasing ranges from playful joking to aggressive bullying and can be expressed both physically and verbally. While bullying takes the form of hitting, kicking and other violent behaviors, teasing is manifested through nicknames, facial gestures and taunting (Keltner et all, 1998).

Teasing is a pervasive activity that occurs in most group contexts including family, friends, coworkers and teammates. While teasing is commonly thought of as an ostracizing mechanism, new research has suggested that teasing actually facilitates bonds within a group and acts as an indicator of intimacy. While teasing is most prevalent among group members who are familiar with one another, teasing can be used among strangers to communicate friendliness and indirectly express affection.

source: www.units.muohio.edu

TALKING POINTS:

Whom do you tease?
What is your intention when you tease someone?
Do you like people teasing you?
When you are teased, how do you feel? What do you do? Do you tease back?

Agree or disagree:

1. Teasing is too complicated to understand.
2. Teasing is different across cultures.
3. When you are teased, it may mean the person teasing you likes you.
4. I enjoy it when people play jokes on me.
5. I experienced being bullied when I was younger.
6. I experienced bullying other kids when I was younger.
7. Teasing is only present among young people.
8. Only a confident person teases others.