Final answer:
Perpetrators of bullying tend to target emotionally reactive children, those who are different from their peers, and LGBTQ+ teens. Observational learning can perpetuate a cycle of abuse, with victims potentially becoming abusers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Perpetrators of bullying often select children who exhibit certain characteristics that make them more vulnerable to being targeted. According to research, children who are emotionally reactive are at a greater risk for being bullied because they provide quick emotional responses that bullies seek. Additionally, children who are perceived as different from their peers, such as those who are overweight, have cognitive impairments, or belong to a different racial or ethnic group, are more likely to be bullied. The risk is extremely high for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender teens who face bullying due to their sexual orientation.
The antisocial effects of observational learning suggest that children who witness their parents engaging in violent and aggressive behavior may learn to mimic these actions. This observational learning can create a cycle where victims of abuse might grow up to become abusers themselves, with approximately 30% of child abuse victims eventually becoming abusive parents. This indicates that individuals often replicate the behaviors they are exposed to during childhood.