• Question: why do you think people are mean to others? is it a due to their own insecurities?

    Asked by emily_b to Ben on 15 Jun 2017. This question was also asked by Ella.
    • Photo: Ben Kenward

      Ben Kenward answered on 15 Jun 2017:

      Not necessarily, but it could be. I think mainly it’s because people think they can get what they want by being mean. Sometimes people are right about this (e.g. bullies do indeed often gain social prestige), but sometimes people are wrong and use meanness even when it doesn’t help them. Being in an insecure social position does increase the chances of that.

Comments