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Why Bullies Bully
A (Nearly) Complete Explanation
by Gary Namie, Ph.D.
A (Nearly) Complete Explanation
by Gary Namie, Ph.D.
Here are some deeper explanations. Unfortunately each of these factors are beyond anyone's ability to reverse. The responsible employer who might want the bullying to stop is powerless to effect change when these explanations operate.
Brain Structure
From studies of the most heinous among us, serial killers, there is evidence of a different size and structure of the prefrontal cortex of the brain, an area responsible for impulse control. A smaller than normal area leads to a reduced ability to control emotional outbursts and to care about consequences of personal negative actions. Of course, nothing can be done to alter brain structure in adult bullies. It is good to consider intellectually this explanation, but no solution exists to correct it. For the lamest bullies, this could be used only as an excuse.
Family-of-Origin Experiences
Possibly abused as a child, the adult bully becomes an abuser because of what was either personally experienced (abuse ranging from verbal to sexual) or witnessed in a domestic violence household. However, not everyone abused becomes an abuser. The transgenerational transmission of family violence is a credible theory. Still, as adult bullies, the individuals should be responsible for their actions. Note that bullies always dodge responsibility. Someone else, the target or their boss, made them harm the target, according to the bully. So, that same accountability should be turned on the bully. Stop whining about your family troubles when you were a kid, grow up and be a nonviolent member of society!
Schoolyard Bullies Grow Up
So the boy who punched lone, vulnerable targets in the schoolyard and the girl who stole affection from her target's boyfriend grew up. If they were never confronted by adults about the consequences of their actions, chances are good that they grew into adulthood with a successful history of intimidating and acting hostile toward anyone they arbitrarily chose to disrespect. They got the message from others, for years, that they could hurt others with impunity. Worse, they probably were rewarded for it with prized membership in the "in" clique. Why should they now take seriously any threat from a peer or boss who appeals to them to start respecting others and treating them with dignity? Those appeals come from "losers," they, the bullies, have been "winners" and intend to operate as usual without interference from well-intentioned do-gooders. Furthermore, grown bullies learned long ago that witnesses will stand idly by, too afraid to intervene. Bullies calls the shots from childhood into adulthood.
THE BULLY'S PERSONALITY
Personality is the most popular explanatory factor. Personality assumes that people have stable, predictable patterns of behaving that cut across most situations. Personality combines genetic predispositions with life experiences (nature, nurture). The less flexible the person across different events and interactions with different people, the more permanent and stable is seen the personality. For example, pig-headed stubbornness and a refusal to consider facts and evidence contrary to one's position illustrates the power of personality over the social skill of adeptness and situational flexibility. Since it is the bully who chooses his or her target, the setting, the time and the method of bullying, it seems simple to explain 100% of the cause as who the bully is.
Trouble is that it is too simple (see our 3-factor explanation). But let's indulge in the fantasy and consider what aberrant personality types could account for bullying.
Psychopaths -- the worst and rarest variety
From Robert Hare, author of Without Conscience, who studied serial killers and rapists as a prison psychologist, come characteristics of psychopaths, which he estimates to represent about 1% of the population.
First, there are emotional/Interpersonal characteristics: glib & superficial -- charming, fakes expertise, can describe horror with detachment; egocentric & grandiose -- inflated sense of self, unattainable plans; lack of remorse or guilt -- Ted Bundy said "guilt = social control, very unhealthy" victims deserve their fate; general lack of empathy -- whoever is weak begs to be exploited; deceitful & manipulative -- lies = pride, see duality predator/prey, con/the conned; shallow emotions -- no fear, anxiety, apprehension of consequences of actions.
Second, psychopaths have a socially deviant lifestyle: impulsive -- immediacy of pleasure, just doin' it not plannin' or thinkin'; poor behavior controls -- inability to "picture" consequences, no internalized social restraints, hyper-reactive to perceived insults and provocation; need for excitement -- zero tolerance of dull, repetitive, routines (like a job); lack of responsibility -- does not honor traditional obligations: bills, promises, laws; early behavior problems -- violence to animals, siblings, lying, theft, promiscuity; adult antisocial behavior -- instrumental use/misuse of trust by others, societal rules are unreasonable.
Third, the psychopath thrives on Showtime -- putting it all together: looks, fast-talking, mastery of NVC, props, reading victim's buttons. The psychopath's intolerance of routine probably disqualifies most workplace bullies, unless they are the CEOs!
Individuals with an Antisocial Personality Disorder
According to the clinician's "bible of mental disorders," the DSM-IV-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, American Psychiatric Association), APD is a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of the rights of, others as indicated by 3 or more of the following: deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, or conning others for personal pleasure, or; irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated assaults or conflicts, or; reckless disregard for the safety of others, or; lack of remorse, being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt or mistreated another person, or; repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest.
Additionally, the adult over 18 must have had a record of similar behaviors before the age of 15 (been a childhood bully), and not be schizophrenic. It is estimated that 2-4% of the population is certifiable as APD.
Individuals with a Narcissistic Personality Disorder
According to the DSM IV-TR, the Narcissist exhibits a pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, as indicated by 5 or more of the following: belief that she or he is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions), or; sense of entitlement, unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations (e.g., subservience by others), or; interpersonally exploitative, takes advantage of others to achieve her or his own ends, or; lacks empathy, is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others, or; shows arrogance through attitudes or behaviors, or; grandiose sense of self-importance, exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without earning it, or; preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power or brilliance, or; often envious of others or believes that others are envious of her or him, or; requires excessive admiration.
It is estimated that 2-4% of the population is certifiable as NPD. Note: all bullies are narcissistic and egocentric. Not all narcissists have clinical NPD, but it doesn't matter.
Those with a Machiavellian Personality, likely for most bullies
One of the most important books of the Renaissance was a small volume called The Prince written by Niccolo Machiavelli. Machiavelli had been a government worker, close to powerful men. He offered advice to princes on how to rule. The Prince's philosophy differed from medieval ideas about the proper duties and obligations. Machiavelli's sources were the rulers he observed -- Leonardo do Medici and Cesare Borgia. These men were powerful, tricky, and often dishonest. The adjective "Machiavellian" has come to mean unscrupulous, amoral, tricky, and manipulative.
Psychologist Richard Christie created the Machiavellianism personality scale. Christie believes that Machiavellians demonstrate: a distorted view of human nature -- showing a relative lack of affect (emotions) in interpersonal relationships, they get others to do what they wish, they view people as objects to be manipulated rather than as humans with whom to have empathy; no conventional morality -- all interactions are viewed as utilitarian (based on what is accomplished or what's in it for me), regardless of immorality or amorality; no gross psychopathology -- unlike psychopaths, they are reality-based, however evaluation of others and situations can be distorted by emotions, and; low ideological commitment -- they are not idealistic driven by high-minded principles or lofty goals, instead they focus on tactics.
High Machs are said to exhibit the "Cool Syndrome" characterized by resistance to social influence (coming from others), an orientation to cognitions (rational thoughts), initiating and controlling structure (components of bossiness).
Machiavellians manipulate and exploit others to advance their personal agendas but they are not mentally ill. They do not have a personality disorder, schizophrenia or psychopathy. Machiavellianism represents the core of bullying.
It is an accurate way to describe capitalism's "way of doing business" that goes largely unquestioned in contemporary society. To condemn it is taboo. Capitalists' right to harm people for the sake of optimizing profit is modern society's most sacred right, protected by laws and the absence of laws to protect those exploited.
© 2006 Gary Namie, WBI/Work Doctor, Inc.