Researchers sought to determine which of 70 characteristics were seen by an international group of experts as being most applicable to bullies and victims. There was strong agreement among the 14 experts on the following 19 characteristics for bullies:

• Control others through verbal threats and physical actions

• Quicker to anger and sooner to use force than others

• Tend to have little empathy for the problems of the other person in the victim/bully relationship

• Chronically repeat aggressive behaviors

• Inappropriately perceive hostile intent in the actions of others

• Are angry, revengeful

• Have more family problems than usual

• Parents are poor role models for getting along with others

• Parents are poor role models for constructively solving problems

• Inconsistent discipline procedures at home

• Parents often do not know child's whereabouts

• Suffer physical and emotional abuse at home

• Are likely to have contact with aggressive groups

• See only aggression as a way to preserve their self-image

• Perceived physical image is important for maintaining a feeling of power and control

• Focus on angry thoughts

• Create resentment and frustration in peer group

• Exhibit obsessive or rigid actions

Return to Day 2: Bullies, Victims, and Bystanders

Reference:

Hazler, R. J., Carney, J. V., Green, S., Powell, R., & Jolly, L. S. (1997). Areas of Expert Agreement on Identification of School Bullies and Victims. School Psychology International, 18, 3-12.