"If a kid is bullied in school, is it "more efficient" for him to give in to the bullies and just hand over his lunch money every day? Or should he take a stand over days and weeks, and then never be bothered by bullies again?"
I think that depends on the circumstances. In some cases it might be more efficient to not get the shit beat out of you (that is if there aren't other ways to deal with it at the institutional level).
By take a stand you are assuming that the person being bullied can actually stand up to the bully and make him go away.
Fighting back often all it takes, making bully pay that is.. you do not need to win every fight you just need to make people think twice about messing with you, there are always easier victims to play with.
I think that depends on the circumstances. In some cases it might be more efficient to not get the shit beat out of you (that is if there aren't other ways to deal with it at the institutional level).
By take a stand you are assuming that the person being bullied can actually stand up to the bully and make him go away.