Survey: Online trolls are 'everyday sadists' (Duh!)

[Xeno]

Survey: Online trolls are 'everyday sadists'

If you've ever complained that the trolls junking up online comment sections are a bunch of sadistic psychopaths, you might be onto something.

An online survey by a group of Canadian researchers suggests that Internet trolls are more likely than others to show signs of sadism, psychopathy and "Machiavellianism": a disregard for morality and tendency to manipulate or exploit others.

"It was sadism, however, that had the most robust associations with trolling of any of the personality measures," says an article by psychologists from the University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg and University of British Columbia. "In fact, the associations between sadism and ... scores were so strong that it might be said that online trolls are prototypical everyday sadists."

Sadism is a tendency to take pleasure in other people's pain or discomfort.

As defined in the article, online trolling is "the practice of behaving in a deceptive, destructive, or disruptive manner in a social setting on the Internet with no apparent instrumental purpose."

So, as opposed to cyberbullying, saying nasty things during an argument over politics or even making hateful comments that reflect the commenter's true feelings, trolls are offensive for the sheer enjoyment of it. Or, in Internet parlance, "for the lulz."

"Trolls operate as agents of chaos on the Internet, exploiting 'hot-button issues' to make users appear overly emotional or foolish in some manner," the article reads. "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!'."

Survey respondents were asked about their Internet behavior, including how much time they spend online and whether they comment in places like YouTube or on news websites. They also were given tests that measured responses against psychology's ominously named "Dark Tetrad": narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy and sadistic personality.

Commenters who said they enjoy trolling other users more than other options (which included debating topics and making new friends) consistently scored higher on the "tetrad" and displayed a tendency to enjoy trolling because it is pleasurable, the authors wrote.

The questions asked to determine sadistic tendencies included ''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."

We all knew this, right? Every troll I've ever dealt with online had a streak of sadism a mile wide. They enjoy making people upset and angry, take pleasure in the chaos they cause and devote most of their energy to dreaming up new ways to torment as many people as possible. Their only motivation is the pleasure they derive from inflicting pain and discomfort. The only surprising thing about this study is that it took this long for academics ta analyze the behavior that everyone who has ever visited a message board or new site's comments section knows so well.

 

[Superwoman Prime]

Sadists are. . . sadists?

I. . . I need to sit down. Going to faint.

 

[KevanG]

I don't mind teasing a bit but full on trolling annoys me.

That's not saying I'm not a sadist, if I did I'd have to turn in my S.A.D (Sadists against dumb asses) card.

 

[MrMaooz]

 

[DarthSkywalker]

What qualifies as a troll? Because on some forums, it feels like the majority.

 

[Victarion]

Whatever happened to turning your computer off and doing something else for a little while?

 

[Schlosser85]

Maybe next they'll do a survey telling us that homosexuals are more likely to be attracted to the same sex, or that cats consume cat food at a greater quantity than other animals.

 

[KevanG]

Well actually dogs tend to consume it in greater quantities if they get the chance.

Stupid mutts.

 

[Xeno]

What qualifies as a troll? Because on some forums, it feels like the majority.

The study defined trolls.

As defined in the article, online trolling is "the practice of behaving in a deceptive, destructive, or disruptive manner in a social setting on the Internet with no apparent instrumental purpose."

So, as opposed to cyberbullying, saying nasty things during an argument over politics or even making hateful comments that reflect the commenter's true feelings, trolls are offensive for the sheer enjoyment of it. Or, in Internet parlance, "for the lulz."

In other words, trolls are people who act like ass****s for no reason other than that annoying people gives them pleasure.

Whatever happened to turning your computer off and doing something else for a little while?

I often wonder why trolls don't turn their computers off and stop actively trying to disrupt sites. The article explains that they are sadistic and inclined to psychopathy, with their main enjoyment in life coming from hurting others. So it's fair to assume that they can't tear themselves away because they're deriving sick enjoyment from their online pastime.

 

[Hal_Jordan]

I think it's more likely that the anonymity of the internet is to blame for trollish/sadistic behavior. Or it at least allows these trolls/sadist to act out when they normally wouldn't.

 

[Victarion]

I often wonder why trolls don't turn their computers off and stop actively trying to disrupt sites. The article explains that they are sadistic and inclined to psychopathy, with their main enjoyment in life coming from hurting others. So it's fair to assume that they can't tear themselves away because they're deriving sick enjoyment from their online pastime.

Absolutely. It's disgusting.