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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOnline trolls are "psychopaths and sadists," psychologists claim
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/online-trolls-are-psychopaths-and-sadists-psychologists-claim-9134396.html"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.".........
winter is coming
(11,785 posts)1) Does anyone really say "yes" when asked if they agree with statements like "I enjoy physically hurting people"?
2) Dark Tetrad would be a cool name for a band.
Cleita
(75,480 posts)ElboRuum
(4,717 posts)But would a troll not troll the researchers by answering not honestly but rather for their own amusement?
fascisthunter
(29,381 posts)It makes sense and I notice very similar behavior. Very weird to say the least.
Donald Ian Rankin
(13,598 posts)Coyotl
(15,262 posts)Paid political trolls are sometimes just making money, corporate shills too, publicists likewise.
sir pball
(4,918 posts)It's much simpler, plus if every troll were sociopathic Machiavellian schemers IRL the world would be a horrid place indeed.
Rex
(65,616 posts)I love the pics!
sir pball
(4,918 posts)It got so bad at Eater that they did away with guest posting a while ago; even with accounts it doesn't always get better. Look at CNN..
If you're a gamer and haven't read every single Penny Arcade you're doing yourself a grave disservice, btw
TheMightyFavog
(13,770 posts)Last edited Sat Feb 22, 2014, 11:20 PM - Edit history (1)
I remember reading about some of the horrible things that trolls were doing to that Chris Chan guy when one of his videos made Fark about five years back. You would have to be some sort of sociopath to think that picking on a guy with mental health issues is funny.
Gman
(24,780 posts)Aristus
(67,676 posts)Judging by the number of howling rage-junkies who pile on me when I offer an informed medical opinion on just about anything...
libodem
(19,288 posts)With my distress. I don't like the feeling of being misunderstood or of not being able to come to some resolution in a conversation. It frustrates me not to be able to reach someone with reason.
Some arguments leave me feeling like no body wins and everybody loses.