Plus effective ways to deal with bullies.
Sadly, bullying is quite common.
This article explores common reasons why people bully.
Peter Dazeley / Getty Images
They Have Emotional Trauma
You might be familiar with the phrase, hurt people hurt people.
They ultimatelyfeel insecureand bully others as a means to fit in or make themselves feel superior.
The same is true in workplaces.
Bullies may note this (perhaps even subconsciously) and use it to their advantage.
Theyve Been Bullied
Sometimes, people bully because they themselves have been thevictim of bullying.
This is an unhealthydefense mechanismbut is often at the root of someone’s decision to bully.
It Is Learned Behavior
Other times, bullying islearned behavior.
Essentially, they lack appropriatecoping skillsto manage and respond to uncomfortable social situations in a healthy way.
The digital sphere has the additional allure of seeming more anonymous.
This can empower them to be crueler than theyd ever be in person.
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.
And remember, another persons choice to bully is about them and their internal traumanot you.
U.S. Department of Education; 2019.
Workplace Bullying Institute.2021 WBI U.S. Davis S, Nixon C.Youth Voice Project: Student insights into bullying and peer mistreatment.
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Rettew DC, Pawlowski S.Bullying: An update.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am.
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