February 13, 2014

It’s a scientific fact: Online comment trolls are sadists


A group of Canadian researchers has given the imprimatur of social-science recognition to a fact that many of us who spend time in internet comment forums have suspected: there’s a strong correlation between online trolling and sadism.

“Both trolls and sadists feel sadistic glee at the distress of others. Sadists just want to have fun … and the Internet is their playground!” write Erin Buckels, Paul Trapnell, and Delroy Paulhus of the Universities of Manitoba, Winnipeg, and British Columbia, respectively, in a paper to be published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences.
  
The researchers define trolling as “the practice of behaving in a deceptive, destructive, or disruptive manner in a social setting on the Internet with no apparent instrumental purpose,” referring to trolls as “agents of chaos on the Internet, exploiting ‘hot-button issues’ to make users appear overly emotional or foolish in some manner. If an unfortunate person falls into their trap, trolling intensifies for further, merciless amusement.”

Read more here

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'll feed the troll. Which is what your doing by posting this again in the hopes of getting a comment. You must be lonely.

A study says so... I guess that means global warming is also real and that homosexuality is normal and so forth. Or is pointing out a logical fallacy/asking a poignant question "trolling" in Murrica? Yeah.

"Personality and Individual Differences" founded last week in Tel Aviv? More like eliminate individual differences. That's what scumbags want, to have everyone agree with their garbage. Silencing descent with selfcensorship would be a dream come true for them.

Real trolling is rare. Dumb shit comments however are an overwelmingly American problem, the result of which is your disgusting 'culture'. Filth in, filth out.

Mami said...

Lighten up dick head I posted this as a joke.

foon1e said...

Grizz. Step away from the Troll. Do not engage the Troll. The Troll has cooties ;)
Oh-and i posted this yesterday lol. But your pic is far better than the one i used.

Mami said...

Oh ok didn't notice your post. Feck the begrudgers!

foon1e said...

Lol! Yup - feck 'em up their stupid Troll-Holes.