Why do people claim that bullies have low self esteem?

Question

Bullies seem to have exceptionally high self esteem. People with low self esteem don't boldly approach others, physically accost others, etc. People with low self esteem hide and don't want to be bothered.

Answer 1

It's a kind of reverse psychology to make the big bad bully ashamed of himself.   Doesn't work.

It's like the 'drugs don't work' thing. Anyone who's used drugs knows they work just fine. Shaming people into changing their habits doesn't work very well and may even cause them to strengthen their rebellion.

Answer 2

I disagree with your assessment of people with low self-esteem hiding and not approaching others. Everyone is different and everyone with low self-esteem is different. Have you ever hear of the phrase "you knock people down so you can stand higher?" Such is the case of bullies. If they felt good about themselves and had good esteem, they would have no reason to bully.

People with low self-esteem DO boldly approach, they do physically accost others. They are "hiding" their low self-esteem by projecting some type of authority thereby trying to give others the illusion of control.

Answer 3

Becaue people who are happy don't mind and want others to be happy also and those that are miserable tend to want others to be too.

If you don't like yourself how could you possibly like others?

Answer 4

Yeah, bullies may "boldly approach others", but it's certainly not ever the captain of the football team that they are bullying, or a guy from the wrestling team - it's someone that they know is weaker than them.  Which, makes them feel bigger and tougher, which in turn feeds their low self esteem.