JAT BALWAN
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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.
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.
