Want to know all about group bullying and mobbing? Here are all the details you need to know.
You rarely see lone bullies; they usually run in packs. Therefore, in this post, you will learn about group bullying so that you can better protect yourself against packs of bullies.
Once you learn all about this crucial information, you will be encouraged to protect yourself from these wolfpacks.
This post is all about group bullying to teach you how to outsmart and outmaneuver them and ensure your safety.
Group Bullying
As the old proverb goes, “Never underestimate the power of ‘stoopid’ people in large groups.” This has been true since the dawn of time.
There’s strength in numbers. And bullies are notorious for running in packs and using their numbers to intimidate targets.
Why Bullies Bully in Large Groups
There are several reasons bullies bully in large groups. Here is a list.
1. Group unity
Unity is born when two or more people share a dislike for someone. In fact, for members to tighten their bonds, they need a common enemy they all passionately hate.
Therefore, if they don’t feel they can have solidarity, they will create an enemy they can all unite against. They will single out one person and harass them just to foster camaraderie among the others in the group.
Put another way, they use their victim as a vehicle for bonding and interaction. Each member takes turns bullying the victim because the rest of the pack expects it.
Therefore, they harass the victim to “fit in.” And unity comes at someone’s expense.
We call this “pack mentality” or “herd mentality.” And sadly, most people will do anything, right or wrong, to follow the rest of the herd.
Group Bullying:
2. The group is where they get their power.
Bullies get their power from an entourage. Again, you will never see a bully alone. Why? Because they could never handle being by themselves.
They attack in groups because they need their wingmen to back them. Without their backup, they are just as powerless as you are.
They’re afraid to attack you one-on-one because they’re afraid you will get the best of them. Therefore, these groupies are there to show power- power they could never have on their own.
3. They’re cowards.
Bullies are great big cowards. They bully you to cover up their fear, weaknesses, and shortcomings.
Therefore, they cloak themselves with a tough, holier-than-thou veneer.
4. The group gives each bully anonymity.
Bullies usually have followers and minions backing them up. And they enlist members of their following to do their dirty work.
The group provides each member with a degree of namelessness. It’s easier to call one person out by name. However, it’s not so easy to identify individual members of a large group.
Moreover, each member will protect the other from accountability.
5. Group Bullying Strips you of Humanity.
The bullying becomes so ingrained that it seems to take on a life of its own.
The bullies become drunk on their own power. In other words, they become so addicted to the power that the abuse becomes constant. And tormenting you seems to be all they can focus on.
Blinded by senseless rage, they allow the hatred to control them.
Once they form a group, they no longer see you as a human being. Instead, they see you as so worthless and inferior that you don’t deserve respect.
As far as the bullies are concerned, you don’t even deserve to breathe the same air as them. In fact, you don’t deserve to breathe, period!
Group bullying can be especially dangerous because the victim has a chance of having a mental breakdown. Even worse, they risk dying by suicide or being murdered.
Therefore, it’s so important to get out of that environment. Transfer to another school, go to work for another company, or move to another area.
The only way you’ll ever find peace is to leave without telling anyone. Only then will you live in peace.
Group Bullying:
6. Groups Grow Easily.
School mobs will expand to include several teachers and school staff. At work, managers at many levels and many coworkers may join in.
People who are often peaceful and kind are encouraged to hate the person they are targeting. A bully in power directs them to gossip about you and mistreat you.
Even the sweetest, most compassionate people suddenly become mean and nasty. And, one by one, the entire student body, workplace, or community will bully you.
Moreover, these good, kind people won’t see themselves as participants in bullying. Rather, they’ll view themselves as defenders against an evil enemy.
They will view their own atrocious behavior as justified and necessary. Why? Because to see themselves as bullying participants goes against their sense of decency.
7. People act differently in groups.
Always! Why? Because they feel they must conform. Also, understand that once bullying escalates to mobbing, it’s nearly impossible to stop.
You lose support as more and more people jump on the hate bandwagon. Friends will drop like flies until everyone blames you for any tiny thing that goes wrong.
School staff, the management, or community authorities then close ranks, thereby eliminating any help or escape from the abuse.
What can you do when you suffer group bullying?
1. Make friends with Other victims.
The old saying that “birds of a feather flock together” rings true. The Law of Similarity dictates that in order to find good friendships, you must establish common ground.
Understand that those who share similar experiences are more likely to develop close friendships. Humans are naturally drawn to those who share something in common.
The way to make friends is to find like-minded people to bond with. And nothing bonds humans like a shared contempt for the same things and people. Therefore, developing connections with other targets is not only necessary but wise.
When you find others who have been bullied by the same bullies, it confirms that you aren’t alone. Moreover, it’s a juicy opportunity to make friends and allies. And these new friends just might back you up the next time her bullies come calling.
Opposites don’t attract, commonalities do.
Making friends with other victims also reinforces that you’re not a bad person. It says that, no matter what they say, you can make friends.
It reaffirms that you’re likable, while discrediting the bullies. Therefore, having friends who share the same experiences is a real self-esteem booster.
When targets unite, they share commonality. Therefore, they likely won’t face conflict with one another. Each person in the group finally feels understood.
Again, people tend to become friends with those most like themselves. When you create ties with others your bullies have targeted, you immediately establish common ground.
Therefore, it’s easy to establish rapport.
Group Bullying:
A “Target Rich Environment”
If you’re a target of bullying and you find it difficult to make friends, create a “target-rich environment” for yourself. Keep company with other victims.
I cannot say this enough. We’re attracted to people who share our desires and pursuits. If you can find common ground, developing a positive relationship will be a cake walk!
how do you know that there’s common ground before you even talk to the person?
Start by noticing how the person dresses. Are there any similarities? If the person is wearing a T-shirt with the logo or picture of a rock group you like, there’s a shared interest.
If they only have a slight interest in the group, you, at least, share a love of rock and roll music. What a person is doing also gives clues. Also, their posture has many tells.
For example, you’ll know the person has low self-esteem if they:
- sit alone at the lunch table
- slump in their chair
- don’t interact much with others
Low self-esteem comes from bullying and abuse. So, don’t be afraid to go over and talk to them. You just might be the friend they’re looking for!
Group Bullying:
In conclusion
Group bullying is the worst kind of bullying. It is a form of violence that is rife with pack mentality.
It is especially rampant in workplaces. Everyone collectively harasses and attacks a single targeted individual. The mob often acts under the influence of a ringleader or someone in a position of power.
Group bullying almost always happens in retaliation. For example, a long-bullied target became fed up and finally spoke out or did something about the bullying.
Mobbing is also known as collective bullying.
Remember that bullies and their followers expect you to stay quiet about the abuse. They may even demand that you bow down to and submit to it.
And when you don’t, they will likely punish you for it. Still, you must stand up to bullies no matter what. Also, you must make friends with other targets. And if possible, you might need to leave the environment to get a fresh start elsewhere.
It may be the only way you get to live in peace.
This post was all about group bullying so you can recognize it and defend yourself from it.
Related posts you’ll enjoy:
1. Pack Mentality: All About Group Bullying
2. Reasons Why People Bully – 7 Most Common Motives
3. How to Make Friends when Everyone Hates You: 4 Tips and Tricks
4. How to Make Friends When You Have None at School or at Work