Abstract:
Bullying is not merely a product of social and cultural factors but also a complex phenomenon shaped by evolutionary
and psychobiological processes. This study examines the motivation to bully by exploring its evolutionary roots and psychobiological
foundations, aiming to reveal the multilayered dynamics underlying this behavior. From an evolutionary perspective, bullying may
have served functions such as gaining status, controlling resources, and regulating social hierarchies. From a psychobiological
perspective, neural structures such as the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and reward circuits, along with neurohormonal interactions
involving testosterone, dopamine, and cortisol, appear to sustain bullying behavior. Additionally, the role of the mirror neuron system
in empathy deficits is emphasized. The study further discusses how modern contexts, such as cyberbullying, reshape evolutionarybiological tendencies and proposes an integrative model of bullying motivation. This approach highlights bullying as not only an
individual issue but also an interactive process across biological, psychological, and social domains.