Final answer:
The most effective strategy to reduce bullying is to promote prosocial attitudes and behaviors among youth. Teaching victims to either avoid conflict or retaliate does not address the root cause of bullying, while exclusion of bullies overlooks the opportunity for rehabilitation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best way to reduce bullying is to promote prosocial attitudes and behaviors in youth environments. Teaching victims to be passive often doesn't address the root causes of bullying and does not empower them to seek support or foster resilience. In contrast, teaching victims to retaliate can perpetuate a cycle of aggression and does not contribute to a positive environment. Exclusion of bullies from school settings might not be effective in the long-term, as it doesn't always address the underlying reasons for the bullying behavior and fails to rehabilitate the bully.
Prosocial behaviors refer to acts like sharing, helping, and cooperation, which promote positive interactions and relationships. Encouraging these behaviors in schools and social environments can help reduce bullying by creating a community that is less tolerant of aggressive behaviors and more supportive of its members.
Witnesses to bullying can also be negatively impacted, with some experiencing a phenomenon known as the bystander effect, where the presence of others discourages an individual from intervening in an emergency situation.