Question

Scientifically, how would you define what does and does not constitute bullying?

Answer 1

Bullying Behaviour

Bullying is an act where the intention of the bully is to harm the victim physically, mentally , emotionally and socially. Bullying can also be a compulsive behaviour for some so it is very important to rule out the cause / reason behind the wrong doing.

Bullying can be done on various platform like the cyberbullying or social bullying or in private spaces demeaning or using cuss words for someone.

This is mostly done undercover that means the bully won't reveal their identity, his motive is to threaten the vulnerable individual with a hidden identity. The victim should not give in to it rather always voice out such things in order to stop this behavior.

What can be called a bullying is something that is disturbing or harming the one who is being bullied. So it completely depends on the intention of the bully. Sometimes people are making fun or using sarcasm to make fun or create humour but not necessarily intended to harm the self respect of the target.

Precisely, three things define a bullying behaviour:

- First, Intentions to harm the victim, bullying cannot be accidental - it is planned and executed.

- Secondly, this behavior will be repeated as it is not a out of the box comment said to someone. Bullying will be repeated time and again , unless untill the bully completes his mission.

- Third, bullying cannot be done if the victim or vulnerable individual is equivalent to the bully in power. Usually, the one who is low on self worth and has low self confidence is the target of the bully.