Bullies can be tough to categorize. A bully may be outgoing and aggressive, the kind of person who gets her way through force or obvious teasing. On the other hand, a bully can appear pretty reserved on the surface, but may try to manipulate people in more subtle, deceptive ways, like anonymously starting a damaging rumor about someone just to see what happens.

Many bullies, though, share some common characteristics. They are generally focused on themselves and finding ways to seek pleasure. They are often insecure and therefore they may put other people down to make themselves feel more interesting or powerful. For them, it may be particularly difficult to see things from someone else's point of view. And some bullies act the way they do because they've been hurt by bullies in the past or because another person in their lives - like a parent or other family member - is abusing them in some way.

Reviewed by: Steve Dowshen, MD, and Jennifer Shroff Pendley, PhD
Date reviewed: March 2001