Do you think humans are natural bullies?

Question

We shame people into conforming and exclude them when they are outside the 'acceptable' norm of the village. I'm not talking killers vs. the ordinary man. I'm talking about people who want to be themselves and are beat down at an early age by their peers and adults for looking or acting too out of their norm. Purple-haired kids vs. dirty looks. Effeminate males vs. angry straights. Race vs. class.

Can this be explained by anthropology? And why can't we progress from there.

Answer 1

Yes

Animals and plants have it easy when it comes to that.

Answer 2

no. People bully out of fear.

Answer 3

I personally think all humans are capable of being some sort of bully. The concern here is to what extent will a person go to get their way . If you have to force someone to do what you want only to benefit yourself than something is definately wrong with that picture!

Answer 4

I would say yes and no.  There are tendencies to take what you want and need yet we learn through culture to avoid these behaviors that can lead to conflict.  In addition, humans have good tendencies as well such as sacrificing for your mate and kids.

Answer 5

There has always been some people, especially young males, that have bullied their way into power.   Bullies exist as individuals and even more as societies.  Wars allow dominant or stronger societies to expand.  Conflict allows the strong to expand at the expense of the weak.  There is nothing you can do about it except punish the strong.  It might make you feel better but is it always the right thing to do?  We would certainly be in a different world if that notion were made law 500 years ago.

Answer 6

yes

we have this deep inside of ua all

it's just a part of life

Answer 7

Sue. Nice. Good pondering. It may not be as natural to physiology as much as it is to sociology. That implying that your theory is true. But even then, one is left to wonder about physiology affecting social patterns. And even as someone looks at something to observe it, their own views affect it. And the act of "observing" may even be considered "bullying." Good  mental grub..

Answer 8

I know my two year old son is toward children bigger than himself.  Maybe it's a dominance thing?

Answer 9

I think a lot of people are inclined to fear and shun that of which is different from themselves. I do think it is human nature in some regards.

Some people have mentioned it, but yes, the animal world is like this as well. Why do some animals kill their babies. Well, it can be explained partly by biology and survival of the fittest, BUT also because these animals know their "akward" babies are going to be seen as a target for predators.

Now we know that humans are a little more advanced than this, but yes, again to answer your question, humans have a tendancy to bully and reject that which is unknown to them. That does not mean that we all have the tendancy to beat the c**p out of them or other extreme things (some people are more inclined, to this depending on the person). It just means that we are a little hesistant regarding what that person is or their motives.

Hope this made sense!

Answer 10

I think some people are just angry people for whatever reason...maybe from something that happened in their child hood or just they way their life is...and that is when people become bullies and take it out on others...Anger is evolved from fear.

Answer 11

it's not limited to humans.. I've seen plenty of animals bully other animals..  for example: penguins will shun all-white albino penguins..

Answer 12

Only Education can solve this problem. Because there are so many societal beliefs, the truth may be discovered, but never fully accepted. There needs to be a total restructuring of our educational system. Until we accept our faults and shortcomings as a whole, there will never be any societal shift noteworthy of historical value.

Answer 13

Some people do have the propensity to bully others from a young age, have seen it in children and it is an aspect (albeit unpleasant) of human nature.

The best way to possibly change such propensities is to teach people starting at childhood that All People are Equals and should be treated as such.

Its as simple as teaching & living the golden rule:  

Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You

Answer 14

Your question can't be 'explained' by anthropology any more than it can be 'explained' by psychology.  I do NOT believe that people are 'natural bullies' ... in fact, I believe that most people are 'loving, caring, and helpful' at heart ... but because the 'bullies' stand out more by their 'violence' (even 'bad words' is a form of violence) that we have a 'tendency' to 'ignore' our 'differences' and 'embrace' our 'samenesses' so that we 'don't stick out' to get our heads beat against the ground.  I'm 57, and am an 'older lady, a crone' ... but I LOVE to talk to the young people who have an 'alternative life-style' ... and they actually look 'surprised' that I can have an 'interesting talk' with them.  I 'learned' this lesson long ago ... but hopefully there are others who are 'teaching' and 'learning' to 'include the disaffected' so that we as a 'whole people' can 'reject' the 'bullies' and accept the 'different.'

Answer 15

I seriosly don't know. People can help it sometimes, but, I don't know, sometimes people just gotta speak their mind. I wish I could be more help.