Why are the deplorables so prone to mean-spiritedness just for the sake of being mean?

[GeoWilliam750]

12. "Brainwashing: The Science of Thought Control"

By Kathleen Taylor raises some interesting thoughts. The following excerpts were taken from a section domestic violence, but I think may apply here, as well.

"Roy Baumeister has argued that individuals are much more likely to be violent if they have a high opinion of themselves, and that opinion is threatened, than if they have low self-esteem."

"For people with high self-esteem whose achievements are mediocre, the chances of meeting such an ego threat are great."

"Ego threats, which after all are expressions of alternative ideologies, are minimized as much as possible (demands for purity). Totalist ideology condemns anything other than itself, and an abuser will often load his language with simplistic, pejorative remarks, often based on little actual knowledge, which denigrate not only the victim but her family, friends, background, and opinions."

There is much more, and it is a good read.