Name calling

Name calling is probably one of the first forms of bullying we experience. Being called a name denigrates and dehumanizes. It makes the victim less then human and so not worthy of the normal rules of respect. It is a way to ostracise someone as “other.” This is important to the bullying dynamic because it causes our tribal instincts to kick in. Our group good, other groups evil. If other groups are evil then we have to resist them by whatever means are necessary.