General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: You know when I *know* our teenager's up to no good? [View all]Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)rather than in one specific action.
'Bullying is characterized by an individual behaving in a certain way to gain power over another person.'
'Research indicates that adults who bully have authoritarian personalities, combined with a strong need to control or dominate. It has also been suggested that a prejudicial view of subordinates can be a particularly strong risk factor.' (op. cit. 'peanut gallery'...)
'Often, bullying takes place in the presence of a large group of relatively uninvolved bystanders. In many cases, it is the bully's ability to create the illusion that he or she has the support of the majority present that instills the fear of "speaking out" in protestation of the bullying activities being observed by the group.'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullying