Why do people ridicule others? Is there any psychological basis to it?

Answer 1

Yes, there's a psychological basis for it. Simply put, people ridicule others to make themselves look better in the eyes of others and in their own estimation of themselves. The only way to do that is either by pointing out the flaws in others or by inflating one's own attributes. Either way, it's based in low self-esteem and low self-image (and typically not based in reality). Psychological issues, both.

To wit, the guy directly above me (whose comment has now been removed) has a need to tear you down so he can look like he knows everything. Truth is, he's miserable with himself. (I'm sure he was trying to be funny and ironic. It isn't funny.)

Answer 2

All depends on facts if a person is being ridiculed or someone is telling them to stop crossing their boundaries and acting on false belief's of cake man theory. Is or can their be a psychological basis...no, for the simple fact psychology never has all the facts and strangely enough does not seek it. It's a way of life people choose...false and self-destructive as it may be they get what they pay for.

Answer 3

Might be a symptom of conduct disorder in childeren. Some conduct disordered childeren grow in to psychopathic personalities who enjoy suffering. 4% of adults has a psychopathic personality. Read the books from Robert D. Hare. He invented the Psychopathic CheckList. This test is used all over the world in prisons and etc..

Answer 4

They obey to a vestigial instinct to inflict damage upon a fellow being. In orderly societies where physical violence is condemned, they lash out at others verbally.
Because it is not frowned upon and is often even portrayed as a competitive trait (ie, The Apprentice, The Weakest Link, etc.), they indulge in their appetite for meanness.
The superior mind on the other hand does not set his conduct according to society's superficial and often hypocritical norms but rather according to his own more elevated standards :)

Answer 5

People ridicule others to make themselves feel better. Most people who enjoy putting others down are insecure and have low self esteem. Putting others down makes them look better to themselves. That's why it's best to ignore these people and their comments. Feel sorry for them instead.

Answer 6

I believe it has to do with psychology. Some people feel less inadaqauate about themselves and their faults when they point out other people's flaw or shortcomings.

Answer 7

Insuperiority complex ;)