Troll Research

[Xiaou2]

Canadian researchers have confirmed what most people suspected all along: that internet trolls are archetypal Machiavellian sadists.

In a survey conducted by the group of psychologists, people who partake in so-called trolling online showed signs of sadism, psychopathy, and were Machiavellian in their manipulation of others and their disregard for morality.

The researchers defined online trolling as “the practice of behaving in a deceptive, destructive, or disruptive manner in a social setting on the Internet” for no purpose other than their pleasure.

To achieve the results, the team asked internet users about subjects including how much time they spend online, and whether they comment on websites such as YouTube.

They were also given tests that measured their responses against psychology's "Dark Tetrad": narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy and a sadistic personality.

Questions also surrounded sadistic statements including: ''I enjoy physically hurting people,” “I enjoy making jokes at the expense of others” and “I enjoy playing the villain in games and torturing other characters.”

“It was sadism, however, that had the most robust associations with trolling of any of the personality measures,” said psychologists from the University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg and University of British Columbia in an article published in the ‘Personality and Individual Differences’ journal.

It went on to claim that trolls are “agents of chaos” that exploit “hot-button issues” to inflame and exploit users’ emotions,

"If an unfortunate person falls into their trap, trolling intensifies for further, merciless amusement. This is why novice Internet users are routinely admonished, 'Do not feed the trolls!'," the study warned.

The team concluded that those who enjoyed trolling more than other activities, such debating and making friends, had tendencies in line with the psychological “Dark Tetrad”.

Perhaps most worryingly, the psychologists based their conclusion on cyber-trolling being an “Internet manifestation of everyday sadism,” rather than merely on online phenomenon.

It is thought the findings may contribute towards a trend of sites such as YouTube and the Huffington Post requiring users to comment using registered accounts rather than allowing anonymous posts.

[Le Chuck]

Care to add any analysis to that report?

[pbj]

Meh, I'm the same self-centered nihilist in person, too.

[dkersten]

Which one of those "mental disorders" can be treated with meds?  And because they have a disorder, do you believe their actions are out of their control?

One of my "gaming" friends is the biggest troll you ever meet when playing online games.  He revels in messing with people, trying to make their game play experience as bad as it can get, and if their skill makes it so he can't mess up their day, he will just spew garbage at them all day long.  Thing is though, IRL he is actually a really nice person, very down to earth, compassionate, and loyal to his friends.  He might laugh at a situation even if it is at the expense of another, but the moment something turns serious he is as respectful as a person could be.  Get him online where he can make someone's day miserable though, and Mr. Hyde comes out.  Does this mean he is a sadist or narcissistic?  Or does he just get a good laugh at how seriously people take games on the internet?  Perhaps the outlet on the internet allows him to be more even-keeled in his daily life.. ?

[Vigo]

What a lazy article, it must have been written by a troll.  So all this is analysis based on a survey where any response is accepted at face value, but isn't the basic definition of a troll somebody who intentionally responds in a way to shock and upset others? Why would anyone expect a troll to NOT pick answers like "I kick puppies in my spare time" 

[dkersten]

What a lazy article, it must have been written by a troll.  So all this is analysis based on a survey where any response is accepted at face value, but isn't the basic definition of a troll somebody who intentionally responds in a way to shock and upset others? Why would anyone expect a troll to NOT pick answers like "I kick puppies in my spare time" 

LOL, that's great, I never thought of whether the survey was online.. haha.. of course a troll will troll the survey and skew the results..

[yotsuya]

I'm still quite chuffed they fined Driverman all that money.

[BadMouth]

....so trolls ARE ---uvulas---..... 

[dkersten]

....so trolls ARE ---uvulas---..... 

---uvulas---?  Definitely.  Mentally disabled?  I'm going with "no more than any other person, depending on your point of reference."  Then again, I am a cynic.

[Xiaou2]

Which one of those "mental disorders" can be treated with meds?  And because they have a disorder, do you believe their actions are out of their control?

One of my "gaming" friends is the biggest troll you ever meet when playing online games.  He revels in messing with people, trying to make their game play experience as bad as it can get, and if their skill makes it so he can't mess up their day, he will just spew garbage at them all day long.  Thing is though, IRL he is actually a really nice person, very down to earth, compassionate, and loyal to his friends.  He might laugh at a situation even if it is at the expense of another, but the moment something turns serious he is as respectful as a person could be.  Get him online where he can make someone's day miserable though, and Mr. Hyde comes out.  Does this mean he is a sadist or narcissistic?  Or does he just get a good laugh at how seriously people take games on the internet?  Perhaps the outlet on the internet allows him to be more even-keeled in his daily life.. ?

 Im a very easy going kinda guy.   Most especially in person.   Ive never had the desire to "Trash Talk"  others while playing games or sports..etc. ,  nor to make their experience in life Miserable.   In fact, whenever I can, I help with advice and or in other ways.   In person, and Online.

 Just because someone is Mild-Mannered and controlled in certain aspects in their life... does not mean that "INSIDE"  their mind, their thoughts and feelings... are not dark, twisted, angry, toxic...etc.    If ones only joy is to spend his entire day, making other peoples day awful... I think its pretty clear... the guy has issues.

 The guy could very well be bottled up like a pressure cooker.  Possibly suffered abuses.  Maybe bad at expression.   Maybe hes married to a pushy abusive control freak.   There could be a ton of reasons, with possible addition of Mental Illness.   But as said, he clearly has some issues.  It doesnt make it right, to behave like that...  just because he Can.

 As for the rest...  you would never know how Compassionate and how much of a real friend he is.. until hes put to a seriously straining test.  I found out the hard way... that people Ive thought were good friends... turned on me in my greatest time of struggle and need.   This is the thing about a Narcissist... is that they are extremely good at replication of simulated emotions and behaviors.  They will do nice things once in a while... but if you get in their way... and or make their life more difficult... they will turn on you faster than you can blink an eye.  Not just turn... but possibly stab you in the back as well.   People with Mental Illness, are not bound by logic, reason, and morals...  thought, they can put on a good front.. and will do things to suit the position they desire.

[pbj]

LOL, that's great, I never thought of whether the survey was online.. haha.. of course a troll will troll the survey and skew the results..

Eh, self report surveys can be fairly reliable.  You need to keep things like sample size, question phrasing, cultural bias, et al in mind.  I imagine most would think that people would tend to under report their sadistic thoughts, so it's disturbing what this survey reveals.

[Vigo]

One glaring problem is they are relying on the survey itself to identify who is a troll, as the article states they just polled internet users. The person who states "I eat babies" is also gonna state "I piss people off on the internet for fun"

All this seems to determine is that psychopaths are found on the internet. Gasp!

[Howard_Casto]

Of course they are Canadian researchers as well, so their idea of trolling probably isn't the same as ours.  Eh.

[ark_ader]

I like to frag cops in GTA5.  Ergo I must be an Internet Troll.


Hmmm.  Must be true. I do like hazing haze......

[lilshawn]

Eh.

That's OUR word, you can't say that. It's RACIST!