Debate Position
Bullying is a phenomenon seen universally across a variety of cultures and societies. Through scientific evidence it becomes apart that this global phenomenon is a product of nature. This can be seen through support of research done on genetic links between personality traits and bullying behaviours, evidence of bullying in all walks of life, and the evolutionary evidence that support the human drive to exhibit bullying behaviours.
Genetics and Personality There appears to be a shared set of personality traits seen amongst bullies that contributes to their bullying behaviours. Some of these traits include aggression, neuroticism, lack of guilt towards their actions, lack of empathy towards their victims and tolerance to violence …show more content…
The DRD4 gene has been linked to aggression, which is a prominent personality trait in bullies, as well as the gene 5-HTTPLR, which has been linked to neuroticism (Book et al., 2012). Furthermore, in a twin study done by Ball, Arseneault, Taylor, Maughan, Caspi and Moffitt (2008), research found that genetics influenced bullying tendencies 61% of the time. This same study found it is less likely for girls to bully than it is for boys to bully. This was consistent with the other studies examined. Book et al. (2012) found parallel results, as it was determined by their study that the rates of bullying amongst boys was higher than amongst girls. This study used a HEXACO model in …show more content…
The above traits such as good mental and physical health would make an individual more attractive to potential mates. Bullies have also been found to begin dating far younger than non-bullies or bully victims, which entails that they would have more opportunity for sexual reproduction (Book et al., 2015). Similar to the chicken flocks, bullies use their aggression to establish their position in the social hierarchy and researcher have found they are equally, if not more popular than their peers (Koh & Wong, 2015). Popularity is seen as an attractive quality in a potential mate along with good mental and physical health. With better mental health and low levels of anxiety, it would be more likely that a bully would engage in social interactions with members of the opposite sex for mating opportunities (Koh & Wong, 2015). Other traits that attract the opposite sex include, athleticism, social status, security and dominance (Koh & Wong, 2015). It is evident through the research presented that it is more likely for those who bully, to have more opportunity to produce offspring, making bullying a naturally selective
Bullying is a phenomenon seen universally across a variety of cultures and societies. Through scientific evidence it becomes apart that this global phenomenon is a product of nature. This can be seen through support of research done on genetic links between personality traits and bullying behaviours, evidence of bullying in all walks of life, and the evolutionary evidence that support the human drive to exhibit bullying behaviours.
Genetics and Personality There appears to be a shared set of personality traits seen amongst bullies that contributes to their bullying behaviours. Some of these traits include aggression, neuroticism, lack of guilt towards their actions, lack of empathy towards their victims and tolerance to violence …show more content…
The DRD4 gene has been linked to aggression, which is a prominent personality trait in bullies, as well as the gene 5-HTTPLR, which has been linked to neuroticism (Book et al., 2012). Furthermore, in a twin study done by Ball, Arseneault, Taylor, Maughan, Caspi and Moffitt (2008), research found that genetics influenced bullying tendencies 61% of the time. This same study found it is less likely for girls to bully than it is for boys to bully. This was consistent with the other studies examined. Book et al. (2012) found parallel results, as it was determined by their study that the rates of bullying amongst boys was higher than amongst girls. This study used a HEXACO model in …show more content…
The above traits such as good mental and physical health would make an individual more attractive to potential mates. Bullies have also been found to begin dating far younger than non-bullies or bully victims, which entails that they would have more opportunity for sexual reproduction (Book et al., 2015). Similar to the chicken flocks, bullies use their aggression to establish their position in the social hierarchy and researcher have found they are equally, if not more popular than their peers (Koh & Wong, 2015). Popularity is seen as an attractive quality in a potential mate along with good mental and physical health. With better mental health and low levels of anxiety, it would be more likely that a bully would engage in social interactions with members of the opposite sex for mating opportunities (Koh & Wong, 2015). Other traits that attract the opposite sex include, athleticism, social status, security and dominance (Koh & Wong, 2015). It is evident through the research presented that it is more likely for those who bully, to have more opportunity to produce offspring, making bullying a naturally selective