Navigation controls Masthead [INLINE] December 19 1996 BRITAIN [INLINE] Young bullies graduate to the board BY JEREMY LAURANCE HEALTH CORRESPONDENT SCHOOL bullies could grow up to become chairmen of major companies because both require qualities necessary for tough management, a psychologist said yesterday. The traditional picture of the bully as a stupid brute lacking social skills is a dangerous myth. In order to exert their power, bullies require insight into the way their victims' minds work and the capacity to manipulate social situations. A study of 72 children aged seven to ten at three south London schools showed that those identified as ringleader bullies had a superior understanding of other people's thoughts but not their feelings. The children were given 11 stories and their capacity to read others' minds and emotions was assessed. Jon Sutton, a researcher at Goldsmiths' College, London, said: "It is this gap between their social and emotional understanding that makes ringleaders such cold and effective bullies." The results, presented to the British Psychological Society's conference in London yesterday, suggested that bullies were not socially inept, Dr Sutton said. "In some areas they are superior. This kind of skilled manipulator should do well. They could make good managers." However, the ruthlessness necessary in successful management could also lead people into crime. Dr Sutton said that the bullies' inability to read other people's emotions was also seen in psychopaths, who were distinguished by their capacity for "cold cognition". He said anti-bullying measures should include all those who hang around the ringleaders. Most children were against bullying, yet 85 per cent of incidents occurred with other children present. Dr Sutton suggested that the silent minority should be helped to break the cycle. Next page: Fresh anguish for jailed mother Copyright 1996. [LINK] [LINK] [LINK] Interactive Times button Search button [ISMAP] [LINK] [ISMAP] [LINK] [LINK]