[–] tonberry2 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago (edited ago)
They are trying to argue against the belief that bullies are sick people with genetic illnesses and broken pasts. Their argument is that bullies are acting the way they do to improve their rank (or at least their belief that they are already in a higher rank). Anybody who has been bullied in high school usually figures this out about the people that pick on them; bullies are trying to achieve grandeur by demonstrating to themselves that they aren't as lowly as the people they pick on. This idea is what this study concludes as well:
The average bully isn’t particularly sadistic or even deeply argumentative,” he says. “What they really are is people driven for status.”
It's actually a great conclusion because it removes the nonsense conclusion that bullies aren't reponsible for their behavior because of poor genetics or what have you. They are choosing to be a-holes for personal gain.
[–] hellraiser 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Instructions for happiness clear. Going to wedgy the next four eyes I see.
[–] tolstoshev 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Hardly surprising: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100203084254.htm
[–] TheHemingWay 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I'm taking this to mean that it's acceptable for victims to humiliate their bullies now because fittest, bitch!
[–] Kiwibomb 2 points 1 point 3 points (+3|-2) ago
This study was a colossal waste of time.
Higher Social Status (Popular) Highest Self Esteem (Popular) Lower Rates of Depression (Popular) all this damn study did is confirm anything we have experienced in high school or ever seen in ANY teenager based TV Show/Cartoon/Movie.
Damnit now I am thinking about "Not Another Teen Movie"
[–] didntsayeeeee 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Damn damn, that shit's wack!
[–] rationalinquisition 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
It looks like they just did a survey. As a professional statistician, I would question how seriously these results should be taken.
[–] anonlymouse [S] 1 point 0 points 1 point (+1|-1) ago
And she said based on the results she wants to re-do the study on a larger scale.
As a professional statistician do you also only skim articles?
[–] rationalinquisition 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I question the the methodology itself. Letting people self-analyze their own level of depression, social status, and self-esteem, especially with a group that has statistically proven history of narcissism, doesn't seem like the most accurate form of assessment.
[–] Raverdash ago
Who would have guessed that people who beat the fuck out of others and make them feel terrible feel pretty good about themselves?! It's like it's a fucking mystery!