Bullies and victims: Their ego picture, ideal ego picture and normative ego picture

TLDR

Bullying traits may be both causes and consequences of the bullying situation. Ego, ideal ego, and normative ego pictures of bullies and victims were assessed using semantic differential scales. Bullies self‑rated as dominant, impulsive, and socially required to dominate, whereas victims reported depression, low self‑esteem, and inferiority, with girls scoring lower on socially valued traits and higher on undesirable ones.

Abstract

The ego picture, ideal ego picture and normative ego picture of bullies and their victims in a school situation were measured with semantic differentials. The bullies considered themselves to be dominant, had high ideals concerning dominance and thought this was what the social norms require. They felt themselves to be impulsive and lacking in self‐control. The victims considered themselves to be depressed, lacking in intelligence and personal attractiveness, and displayed in general feelings of inferiority. These characteristics can be partly a cause and partly an effect of the bullying situation. Girls scored in general lower than boys on socially valued characteristics and higher on socially undesirable ones.