Biological Explanations for Bullying

Main Causes of Bullying

According to Swearer and Hymel (2015), bullying is interpersonal, aggressive behaviour that demonstrates different relationship patterns. There can be various causes for such behaviours, ranging from genetics to psychological causes, such as cognitive biases and individual differences. There are many theories on the different causes of bullying and the factors that can influence bullying, such as environmental, psychological and biological explanations.

Bullying is a complicated social phenomenon. It targets individuals beyond age, race and boundaries meant to belittle and intimidate them. It can also be considered a psychosocial factor, as it causes mental and physical harm to an individual.

Biological Reasons for Bullying

Although some causes of bullying may interact or overlap, there are specific causes that are heavily researched. Some of the biological reasons for bullying include:

• Genetic influences leading to bullying behaviour.
• Evolved gender differences.
• Hormones that influence behaviour and even aggression.

Genetic and Environmental Influences on Different Forms of Bullying

Are there biological reasons for bullying? Can our genes be the ones to blame? Scientists believe there is a connection between genetics and a person becoming a bully or being bullied. Based on extensive literature, researchers imply that our genetics play a vital role in influencing our psychological traits. This influence can manifest in our behaviour, determining if we become bullies or victims of bullying.

Consider the following examples:

Fig. 2 - Some research suggests genes play an important role in determining who becomes a bully or victim.

Depression may link with increased aggression (Swearer et al., 2015), translating to bullying behaviour.

Sugden et al. (2010) investigated the relationship between bullying victimisation, emotional problems, and variation in moderation by the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT). They analysed 2,232 British children and found that bullying victimisation leads to the eventual development of emotional problems, and genetic variation in the 5-HTTLPR gene moderates this process.

Children who were bullied with specific gene variations (SS) were at greater risk of developing emotional issues by the age of 12 than other children. They suggested that 5-HTTLPR moderates the risk of developing emotional issues after experiencing stressful events such as bullying.

This research can help us understand the link between the 5-HTT gene and aggression that may lead to children becoming bullies or victims of bullying.

Evaluation of Genetic and Environmental Explanations for Bullying

The research by Thalia et al. (1999) demonstrates that environmental factors, such as peer pressure and the social environment, play an essential role in developing bullying behaviours. It is not solely a genetic predisposition to bullying.

However, the research ignores the involvement of hormones between both genders that may also be related to bullying behaviour.

Popma et al. (2007) found that teenagers in a delinquency programme had high levels of cortisol that matched with aggression scores from self-reports, suggesting that cortisol is another hormone that affects aggression levels, especially in adolescent males.

Overall, the research evidence mentioned above seems correlational, as it suggests only an indirect link between genes and bullying, such as in Swearer et al. (2015). It explains the genetic predisposition to developing bullying behaviour but not much else beyond that.

Further research is needed to fully establish the interaction between a person’s genetics and their vulnerability to bullying.

Fig. 3 - There may be an indirect link between bullying and genetics.

Evolutionary Explanations for Bullying Behaviour

What would be the evolutionary explanations for bullying behaviour? Most evolutionary theories prioritise resource collection and maintenance, survival, and successful reproduction. Males have higher sexual jealousy, using anti-cuckoldry manners as male retention strategies.

To rule out such a situation, a male adapts retention strategies that reduce the chance of cuckoldry from their partner. These male retention strategies may also include bullying behaviour.

Wilson and Daly (1998) established a link between aggression and male retention strategies. They suggested males use aggression to implement these strategies. Men using direct guarding strategies were almost twice as likely to be violent towards their female partners. They divided male retention strategies into two categories:

Shackleford et al. (2005) studied 107 married couples analysing the link between male retention strategies and aggression.

• Males completed the male retention inventory.
• Wives completed the spouse influence report.

The results showed that aggression was used more in partner relationships maintaining the male retention strategies.

Bullying may correlate with an evolutionary advantage. For instance, from an evolutionary perspective, men who bully other men have more chances to choose as many females to mate with. It gives them the advantage to pass their genes to as many children as they want over other males.

Comparatively, females may practice bullying within relationships to maintain loyalty.

Evaluation of Evolutionary Explanations for Bullying

Research evidence supports bullying behaviour as having an evolutionary advantage. As we can see in Volk et al. (2015), bullying behaviour is an adaptive behaviour that increases the likelihood of sexual opportunities in terms of attractiveness, age, sex etc.

It provides a new understanding of bullying behaviour compared to a genetic explanation that only blames the parent’s genes. This research can help re-evaluate our anti-bullying programs in terms of their success.