Bullying May Be In Your DNA, Study Finds

Get this –  a new study found that bullying may be in your genetics!

Researchers at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada studied 133 students in grades 8-10 and compared the psychological health among four groups: bullies, victims, bully/victims and bystanders.

According to the study, bullies had the lowest levels of depression, highest level of self-esteem, and highest social status. Hmmm . . . we wonder if this is because of the behavior itself or their higher social rank due to being a bully.

Research suggests that bullying is just a form of evolutionary behavior, and that in order to survive, “pushy” and “aggressive” behavior was imperative.

"Our ancestors used aggression to do things like defend territory and attract mates to produce the best offspring, so it may be that bullying is a contemporary way that people are expressing this drive,'' says the study’s lead researcher, criminologist Jennifer Wong.

A behavior once used as a survival tactic, is now used on the playground.

"For kids in high school establishing rank, bullying gives them advantages, which is why they keep doing it," Wong says.

The study is an attempt to understand bullying and to help create effective programs to help children who exhibit these behaviors with their peers.

Experts say that while anti-bullying programs help with levels of victimization, they don’t necessarily reduce the levels of bullying.

The researchers suggest that bullies should channel their aggression in other activities, like sports and even creative endeavors.

What do you think of this new study?

Additional reporting by Victoria Meneses