Why Do People Inflict Pain On Others?

This is the question I was contemplating on one of my recent drives to school. Why do we inflict pain and how can I teach my students to avoid doing so as often as possible? This involves breaking the issue down to components that are simple enough to express to children. This is what I came up with...

There are 3 reasons or motivations that cause us to inflict pain on another.

1. Indifference
(the act of not caring)
What does it look like? Imagine you are walking across the playground. To your right, there are 3 fifth graders picking on a fourth grader. They have taken his basketball and are keeping it away from him while calling him names. You are so excited about getting in line at the handball court that you don't really notice it and walk right past.
What should you be asking yourself? "Am I paying attention?"


2. Good Intentions
(making things worse through a poorly thought out attempt to help)
What does it look like? Imagine that you meet someone who is very hungry. They have obviously not eaten in many days and if they don't eat soon they are going to die. The only food you have with you is a bag of peanuts. You kindly offer the stranger your peanuts. They refuse to eat them. Thinking that they must be disoriented and confused by the hunger, you force some peanuts down their throat. Suddenly, they have a severe allergic reaction and die.
What should you be asking yourself? "Do I have all the necessary informtion?"

3. Self-interest
(doing something to help yourself no matter how it affects another)
What does it look like? Imagine that you are grown up, driving to work. You know the rules (speed limits, stop lights, etc) and understand that they are there to reduce the risk to yourself and others. However, you are very late for a meeting, so you run a red light. You get through fine, but the car that had to stop for you gets hit from behind.
What should you be asking yourself? "How many people am I helping right now?"