Workplace bullying can happen for a wide variety of reasons—for example, the bully may have high levels of narcissism or psychopathy that lead them to manipulate or belittle others for personal gain. One theory suggests that workplace bullying may occur when the victim violates known workplace norms (for example, by reporting an ethical violation that others had agreed to sweep under the rug). This theory suggests that workplace bullying is a kind of “degradation ceremony” that punishes the transgressor while strengthening the bonds between other in-group members.