This is certainly one of the more generalized entries I've ever posted in this blog. This question has been lingering in my mind for quite some time now and up to this day, I still couldn't figure out exactly what's in the mind of a bully.
To start it off, I think I would like to separate bullies into two categories, namely the 'braggarts' and the 'tormentors'. Throughout my life, I've witnessed few cases of bullying or taunting, usually the stronger against the weaker. Please bear in mind that this is a personal write-up based on my own opinions, thus it might not be totally correct. You are welcome to criticize if you would like to do so.
1st type: The Braggarts.
Braggarts usually will boast and brag about their 'extraordinary' and 'out-of-this-world' achievements to their peers or anyone who care to listen to their usually long lists of imposing and unbelievable feats. The more you listen to this kind of people, the more satisfaction they derived from their own stories. What they don't realize is that sometimes their stories can become so unbelievable that they're actually making a mockery of themselves rather than elevate themselves in the eyes of the listeners.
2nd type: The Tormentors.
Tormentors are the ones who constantly enjoy picking on other people so that they can have a good laugh at the expense of the victims of their insults or demeaning jokes. The tormentors usually targeted weaker victims who are deemed to be less defensive and are less likely to retaliate. They are doing this either to have some cheap fun or to stroke their egos by making themselves feeling superior than the victims.
Both types of bullies described above can be easily found anywhere. They can be your peers, your usual circle of friends, your seniors or even your colleagues. The one I am most familiar with are the usual circle of friends. I think the closer a bunch of friends get together, the more obvious the divide of 'bullies' and the 'victims' will surface.
As much as I would like to think that bullies utter distasteful remarks about others just so they can have a good laugh themselves, the other part of me is enticing me to think the other way round.
For me, there is a dark side of every bullies. Deep underneath the superior surface that they are trying to portray, there lies a deep sense of inferiority complex and jealousy towards others in their inner selves.
Inferiority complex happened when you feel that you are weaker or more inferior compared to other people around you. This sense of inadequacy will then manifest itself in the form of bullying, so that you can appear stronger and bigger against the victims.
I think people bully because they're so insecure about themselves or they're jealous at someone, thus they 'compensate' the inferiority by taunting or making a joke about the other person to make themselves feel more superior, while at the same time trying to demoralize and to demean the other party.
I know this entry reads like an academic writing, however this question has been hovering above me for so long that I am trying to understand the reasons why people would like to taunt or to make disparaging remarks against the others. Can't they just cut down on those childish acts and try to prove themselves by actually performing better than their targeted victims?
I leave it for you guys to think about it and to enlighten me on your views.
