The nature of trolling: sadism and Machiavellianism Bashny.Net

Although the word "Troll" has only recently entered the mainstream lexicon (partly thanks to the rising popularity of online discussion forums such as 4chan and Reddit, and massive multiplayer online games), trolling originated in chat rooms, 80s.

Then the "trolls" called the online instigators humiliating and, in fact, meaningless disputes or altercations ("flamewars"). Currently, however, "trolling" has become a common term that is equally well applied to inflammatory comments on Youtube and tweets, the purpose of which is to cause irritation.

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Trolling is in the stage of recovery. In the United Kingdom in 2014, more than 1,200 people were convicted under article 127 of the Law "On communications" (2003). According to this law, any communication or material sent to "through public communication networks" and having "grossly offensive, violent, obscene or menacing character" is defined as a crime. While in 2004 this law was made only 143 conviction.

Psychologist John Schuler believes that one possible explanation for the increase in the number of cases of trolling can be "the effect of an inhibition in the Network", which leads to the weakening of social constraints due to factors such as Internet anonymity and invisibility. An important role plays the fact that we spend more time on the Internet: In 2005, a billion people have received permanent access to the Internet, and in 2015 — 3.2 billion.

But can disinhibition to be the only explanation for trolling? What is the primary reason the desire to "trolling"? In 2014 a team of researchers under the leadership of Erin Buckels from the University of Manitoba, published an article under the title "Trolls just want to have fun".

They put forward the hypothesis that there is a connection between personality disorders and a penchant for online trolling. To test this idea, the team spent two Bakels an anonymous online survey of the online habits that include questions and statements relating to trolling. For example: "I sent people addresses shocking sites for fun". In addition, to measure behaviors associated with trolling, the authors used

A global assessment of Internet trolling (Global Assessment of Internet Trolling, GAIT). Participants were evaluated on a scale of statements like "I enjoy upsetting people on the Internet". For example 1 meant "strongly disagree" and 5 being "strongly agree".

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The authors found a strong positive correlation between trolling and Machiavellianism, a propensity for craftiness, shrewdness and willingness to deceive for the sake of achieving personal goals; in addition, linkages were established with psychopathy or lack of remorse and empathy, and a tendency to manipulation. Propensity for sadism, or the tendency to derive pleasure from causing others physical or psychological pain was one of the most stable personality traits related to the behavior of a Troll. The authors come to the conclusion:

 

"The relationship between sadism and GAIT assessments, was so strong that it could be said that the prototype of an online Troll is a household sadist".

 

In another study, which is called "the Dark side of Facebook", psychologist at Federation University (Australia) Evita March, together with colleagues conducted an online questionnaire similar to the survey Bakels. It was attended by three hundred ninety-six adults from 18 to 77 years old, 76 per cent of them women. The researchers found that trolls on Facebook "tend to be ruthless, cruel and emotionally dependent pleasures, which they receive at the expense of someone else's pain and discomfort." This pleasure could be addictive. March notes:

 

"When you participate in this, your actions are supported by specific biological mechanisms: the neurotransmitters and dopamine. But, as with any addictive behavior, you need more and more to get the same pleasure, so we see that people more and more go trolling".

 

So, while the Internet allows trolls to exist, it is difficult to say that he creates them. It comes down, like so much else, human nature.published 

 



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Source: monocler.ru/priroda-trollinga/