Play as an Interview Technique to Research Bullying Behavior
By Barbara R. Pedalino, PsyD
The Bully
So you’re back again
Showing your face
Striking out.
You’re very familiar
You disguised yourself well
Until you struck out.
With fangs and cruelty
You lash out with venom
You sting and you wound.
How sad for you
To be brimming with such evil
Always on alert to attack.
Your victims seem gentle
Your victims seem kind
Why then? Why do you do what you do?
You show no remorse
Attempt to hide the truth
But I know what I know.
I will persevere
What will you do?
What happens when the truth is known?
You live in fear
For you have lived what you deliver
And you are exposed.
Revenge is not my style
You have safety in that
You live in your own state of torment.
Have you courage to change?
Will you risk to grow?
Or remain a victim of your own despair.
Barbara Pedalino (June 9, 2002)

Whatever motivates some people to treat others inhumanely has been a gnawing curiosity to me since childhood observations and encounters. I noticed some adults seemed kind and gentle while others seemed rageful and hostile. I wondered why some children were upset when they got in trouble at school while others found it amusing, fun and worth the punishment to be mischievous. I wondered why some children frolicked on the playground while others stood alone or were taunted. I wondered why some children were bullies and others were bullied. Some children seemed happy and well-adjusted while others appeared downcast and ill-at-ease. What were the variables in people’s lives and characters that explained these differences? I became increasingly interested in learning more about what may have happened to people who bully. Did they feel meddled with, commanded, preached at, imposed upon?
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If I keep from meddling with people, they take care of themselves.
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If I keep from commanding people, they behave themselves.
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If I keep from preaching at people, they improve themselves.
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If I keep from imposing on people, they become themselves.
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