Hey, lizard, I asked you a question. I’d like to hear your answer. We know anything you say, the opposite is true. So what does that tell you, boy?
HUH?
7 Common Reasons Why People Bully
Given how damaging bullying is to others, it’s understandable to wonder why people bully in the first place. This article explores common reasons why people bully.
They Have Emotional Trauma
You might be familiar with the phrase, “hurt people hurt people.” While personal trauma doesn’t give anyone an excuse to hurt others, sometimes it can give us insight into how the other person works.
“So often, people that intentionally seek to intimidate others are hurting due to their own difficult life experiences, and they lack the coping skills to manage their pain in a healthy way so they externalize their hurt onto others,” explains Michelle Felder, LCSW, therapist, and founder of Parenting Pathfinders.
They’re Insecure
Any community can have unspoken tiers of “social status,” which can prompt people with bullying tendencies to taunt others for social gain. They ultimately feel insecure and bully others as a means to fit in or make themselves feel superior.
“Cliques and the desire for social status are often a breeding ground for bullying,” says Limor Weinstein, MA, LMHC. “The same is true in workplaces. Jealousy and a desire to get to the ‘top’ can lead to belittling others around you, which can happen especially in competitive work environments.”
Being mean to others also has the effect of getting others to treat you better since they don’t want to become the target of bullying. Bullies may note this (perhaps even subconsciously) and use it to their advantage.
They’ve Been Bullied
Sometimes people bully because they themselves have been the victim of bullying. In a way, they may feel as though bullying others can protect them from the familiar experience of being bullied themselves.
Some people try to get ahead of the bullying they anticipate experiencing and will bully others in an attempt to protect themself by striking first. This is an unhealthy defense mechanism but is a common experience that is often at the root of someone’s decision to bully.
— MICHELLE FELDER, LCSW
It’s Learned Behavior
Other times, bullying is learned behavior. For instance, if a child witnesses an adult bullying others—or is the subject of bullying from their own parent or adult—then they may repeat that behavior. Among adults, bullying can become a toxic part of the culture at work or in other social communities and is ultimately accepted as the norm.
They Have Poor Social Skills
It’s also possible that someone that chooses to bully has limited social skills or has a hard time getting along with others in general.
Essentially, they lack appropriate coping skills to manage and respond to uncomfortable social situations in a healthy way.
For example, Felder says they may be resentful or jealous of the person they’re targeting, or they may feel like they aren’t getting the attention that they want from them.
They Feel Anonymous
Online bullying has been on the rise for years because that is where so many of us spend our time. The digital sphere has the additional allure of seeming more anonymous.
Weinstein says, “Online bullies are often somewhat detached from their cyber activity, hiding behind a screen and unleashing their inner bully.” This can empower them to be crueler than they’d ever be in person.
They Lack Empathy
Some bullies simply lack care, so they have no problem dominating, blaming, intimidating, or taking advantage of others. In that sense, they lack the ability to relate to another person’s experience and understand how their terrible behavior negatively impacts people.
“They target weaker people and refuse to acknowledge the repercussions of their behavior. They are driven by a desire for power and attention,” says Weinstein. “No matter what sort of bully they are, they have not learned to be kind, compassionate, or respectful.”
https://www.verywellmind.com/common-reasons-why-people-bully-5496259