McGrath, as for why people engage in destructive or cruel behavior designed to hurt others they could not possibly have any beef with (vandalism, cruel put-downs etc.) it strikes me this sort of "bully" behavior (for it is very childish) also stems from fear: the bully strikes out to make a name for himself, to draw attention to himself for being tough enough or bold enough to do the nasty thing. If he vandalizes in secret, well the evidence is still there on the wall or tombstone or church door, for all the world to see. This pumps them up, makes them feel important. Picking on someone who can't defend themselves, while most of us would think this very unsportsmanlike (for lack of a better word) and unfair, the bully probably sees it as his duty to do so, because everyone else is too "afraid" to do it...Bullies of this type don't feel like they measure up, they are usually outcasts of the worst sort, and most likely have some painful past experiences with rejection by loved ones, or betrayal by same. My two cents, anyway, having observed a lot of bullies in my day...