Why Do People Bully? The Causes

Jakarta (ANTARA) — According to UNICEF, bullying can be identified by an intention to harm the victim, behaviour that is repeated, and an imbalance of power between the perpetrator and the victim.

Bullying is generally carried out repeatedly by someone who intends to cause physical or emotional harm. Perpetrators are often in a position of greater social standing, such as being more popular or wealthier.

Children are the most vulnerable to bullying. Boys tend to experience physical bullying, while girls are more often subjected to psychological bullying. Child victims of bullying are often from low-income families, have disabilities or are immigrants.

Psychology Today reports that perpetrators of bullying often have psychological traits that affect how they treat others. They are generally apathetic towards other people’s feelings and find it difficult to feel motivated to help or value others.

Factors that can trigger bullying

Several factors can lead someone to bully others. These may be linked to a person’s characteristics or to traumatic experiences. Victims of bullying can also become perpetrators. The following are some possible triggers.

1. Emotional trauma

A traumatic experience can be one factor that leads someone to bully others. They may struggle to manage their emotions when facing problems or recalling painful events, and then take out those negative feelings on others through bullying.

2. Lack of empathy or difficulty controlling emotions

Perpetrators of bullying may be unempathetic, narcissistic or unable to control their emotions. They may feel superior when they control and intimidate their victims. For example, someone in a senior position may feel entitled to demean someone in a more junior role.

3. Low self-confidence

A desire for validation from others can prompt someone to bully. They may feel insecure and choose to put others down to appear superior or gain acceptance within a particular group.

4. Difficulty managing emotions

Bullies may also misinterpret other people’s intentions. Psych Central reports that aggressive children sometimes struggle to understand what others mean. They may interpret words or behaviour that are actually normal as a threat, prompting them to bully.

5. Having previously been bullied

A victim of bullying may go on to bully others. They may believe that bullying someone else will prevent them from becoming a victim again. They try to protect themselves by making others afraid, so that they are not targeted.