I created this topic in the delta forum in order to avoid the anything goes clutter. The purpose of this topic is to bring up two important unrelated topica of ethics and how I think they play a significant role in everyday life and groups. I'd like to hear your input on these discussions with rebuttles, support or further elaboration.
Gossip
The whole purpose this activity is to create a sense of superiority within those that are partaking in it and observing it in a playful manner. By arbitrarily downgrading the state of one unadapted individual, it increases the aura of the entire group without the victim knowing anything about it. Whether it is fact or fiction is insignificant, since at most cases a fault of the individual is extrapolated to great extents in order to undermine that person to boost group morale in a pitiful manner. It all occurs psychologically, but basically by downgrading one or two individuals to a very low level, every gullible participant would suddenly feel superior. If anyone actually finds joy in this on a consistent basis, they should just give up on life due to their uselessness and terribly low self-esteem.
Reputation
Everything you say and do in a social gathering is remembered by most people and this will be used for or against you in the future. Usually those that tend to have the worst acceptance in a group are the types of people that are confrontational and challenge the status quo of a group, whether they are actually accurate or inaccurate in their judgement is meaningless in this situation. Most of the time the secluded member, has a point of view that doesn't coincide at all with public consensus. At the other side of the spectrum, someone who is accepted highly within the group is that somehow he or she has managed to understand the purpose of the group and discuss what is proper and avoid the unacceptable discussions. Unfortunately, some that retain this state tend to behave confrontationally to those who unluckily were unable to adapt and will continue to butcher them until they adapt, which most likely would not happen.
Emotional Bullying
The aggressor of this particular stunt usually tends to be confused about his or her own state. From the victim point of view and outsiders, it appears as if the aggressor is superior and taking advantage of the victim's weaknesses. In reality, the bully is simply attempting to make him or herself superior and the victim's state of superiority is insignificant, since the aggressor is undermining it to increase his or her own status. The person will attack the individual by making a highly arbitrary claim about a mild weakness and exaggerate it into a profound one in order to succeed in tearing the person down. Frequently, this can occur in group setting as well where a few people tear down the morale of an outlandish individual. Eventually everyone views that individual as an enemy and the victim may of created the situation through inane comments and attacks. However, the response by the group is often harsh and only makes the situation worse. By attempting to correct an abrupt victim's behaviour through forced humiliation, it often worsens the condition of the victim pushing him or her into worse behaviour that further warrants the previous label that was created arbitrarily.
I tend to find this behaviour quite frequently with most people and I personally find it disgusting, but I've learned that this is normal human behaviour and I would be lying if I said that I didn't perform these behaviours at least a few times.