Why Do People Bully?

The following is a summary of a 11 May 2012 content from Discovery News.

"It provides a sense of power. It's a way of pulling your core group closer and putting someone else out of it."

"It shows that they have power over others. The reason that they do it repeatedly is that they are getting away with it. Nobody is calling them on their bad behavior. When they aren't called on it they think, 'Well, it must be O.K.'"

"This power brings popularity and high social status for bullies. But they're also perceived as disliked."

Contrary to popular belief, research consistently shows that bullies have average or above average self-esteem. And now it's shown that there is a peer socialization process -- that bullies tend to have more friends.

Experts agree that peer influence is crucial in accounting for bullying. "If your peer group says that pushing and shoving and spitting on people or spreading lies is O.K., even though you may have been taught differently in your home, you lose your moral compass."

The definition of bullying is important. "A person who bullies intentionally picks out someone that they know is weaker than themselves so that they can intimidate, harass or humiliate them to do their bidding. It is a misuse of their power. This behavior is usually repeated and of course this power differential is there."

"It's not just a conflict. In a conflict the kids are of equal power. They are still supported by their friends. It's important to understand that bullying is abuse."

 

Let us constantly remind ourselves that behind every avatar / name is a real person with feelings somewhere in this world.

Many of us play games because it's fun. We can still have fun without the expense of others.