Why do people like to gang up on just one person?

Question

I've noticed how hateful and spiteful people have become. I was watching a talk show and how these teenage girls would gang up on one girl and beat the living daylights out of her. I had this happen to me a few times on a church forum where I've been the scrapegoat and then everyone else starts in agreeing with the bully who started in. I finally stopped posting anything because they would all agree with such and such. Is there a word for this kind of behavior?

Answer 1

All bullies male or female are only strong in a group of others.. meet them on their own and have the guts to confront the leader and stand up to her and she or he will run away like a hare.. x*x I found that out a long time ago. .they are only strong when in a clique of others.. alone they have a low self esteem.. xx

Answer 2

its called "pack-mentality"

Answer 3

that one word for this behavior is....."WTF?"

Answer 4

That's right and it doesn't occur everywhere by everyone. If you are young and you are stuck mainly in situations and around people where this occurs that's unfortunate and it's common at young age.

However, as you get older you're in a better position to surround yourself with the right people, to play by different rules and to just be positioned where you're not affected by it anymore.

Hang in there, you'll come out on top.

Answer 5

I think the situation is beyond words. It's cruel and demeaning for the person getting ganged up on, often because the bullies find it easier to get a large group of people and just all go for one person.

Mississippi150

Answer 6

Jealousy. Insecurity. Some people are just "mean".  

Answer 7

Let's put it like this, the bully to victim ratio is very high, and that adds to their advantages. Usually defeating one person seems easy when you have only one victim. However, if the victim comes with friends, then they're much harder to defeat because they'll most likely stick up for the  victim. And gangs are usually formed because they're stronger than one individual bully. Plus, they're less likely to get into trouble.

By the way, does your church  forum have a moderator? You can always report inappropriate behavior to the authorities. It's  ironic how they would pick  up a fight in CHURCH forum.  

Answer 8

You were the scapegoat for WHAT?

Sometimes a lot of people will join a group where they all have the same identical mentality. It's easier to pair up with people who think the way you do, especially when you have such a narrow mind ^_^.  People who present themselves in that manner usually do so because it's the only way they can feel good about themselves. In fact people who ACT superior usually suffer from an inferiority complex and make a habit of projecting themselves on others. THEY feel inferior so they try their best to MAKE YOU FEEL inferior. Then of course you have people who are just plain old mean spirited as well as those who have an inability to think for themselves who usually follow and go along with anything just to fit somewhere.

I would absolutely love to tell you this changes as you grow older, but unfortunately SOME women NEVER grow up or become 'nice' with age. So your best option is to completely ignore them. Do not let them know they affected you, because THAT, my dear, is what they feed off of. As soon as they realize they cannot affect you the sooner they will be off to hunt for their next victim.

I highly recommend you read 'Mean Girls Grown Up' -Cheryl Dellasega Ph.D. This book basically discusses adult women who are STILL "Queen Bees," "Middle Bees," and "Afraid-To-Bees."

Answer 9

strength in numbers.