The Psychology of the Internet Troll

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We all behave differently when alone. Anonymity frees us from a perceived obligation to act in accordance with certain social norms. For example, most people refrain from picking their nose in public, but dig with abandon when alone. This isn’t revelatory – fear of judgment is a powerful motivator and is well documented by psychologists. So, while most of our anonymous behavior is relatively benign, what happens when it isn’t?

In 1981, Leon Mann published a study documenting the phenomenon of suicide baiting. Studying the circumstances surrounding 21 public suicide attempts, Mann observed that in 10 cases victims were jeered and baited to, “jump!” He identified several contributing factors to this anti-social behavior including membership in a large crowd, the cover of night, and relative distance from the victim – all hallmarks of anonymity. The irony here is that while a focused set of watchful eyes keeps us in check, the distracted eyes of many don’t.

Anonymity makes all the difference, and unfortunately, this frees some to partake in some pretty egregious behavior. This is particularly true online. We’re 20 years into the experiment of the World Wide Web, and we can clearly see how Internet anonymity plays out across social media, chat rooms, and comment sections. Usually just a nuisance, anonymous troublemakers, known as trolls, can be dangerous when they go after the vulnerable. In an effort to better understand what makes them tick, psychologists are starting to take a closer look at the psychology of the Internet troll.

cate has a point. internet trolls probably sit around in the equivalent of dismal caves without a life as such, being inferior types they build themselves up to what they are not to do their bullying.

Now that I have been diagnosed as not PA, I am free therefore to thank you, Cate, for your kind words. May I compliment you on your powers of observation in noting my utter respect for and devotion to wine bottles (except when they are empty when they are discarded with contempt). Speaking of..... when are we going to share another bottle?

I am a fairytale collector and have Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe wonderful Norwegian collection amongst the many. None of the internet trolls live up to fairytale versions at all.

Am I being Passive Aggressive by not finishing my sentence?

When I was a kid, I had this little plastic/rubber figurine with wild purple hair that you could stick on the end of a pencil.

I've occasionally come across internet trolls and.... well, you can guess the rest!

Troll kalla mik
trungl sjǫtrungnis,
auðsug jǫtuns,
élsólar bǫl,
vilsinn vǫlu,
vǫrð nafjarðar,
hvélsveg himins –
hvat's troll nema þat

Trolls call me
moon of dwelling-Rungnir,
giant's wealth-sucker,
storm-sun's bale,
seeress's friendly companion,
guardian of corpse-fiord,
swallower of heaven-wheel;
what is a troll other than that?

Thanks Cate - that looks interesting - will read when I can take a five min break from trolling / posting.... xx

I wonder what Albert Camus would have made of this topic. He wrote in his essay 'L'Homme' that his whole life was devoted to opposing the philosophy of nihilism while still delving deeply into individual freedom. It always seems that his denial is itself almost the most strong enhancement of membership of the philosophy. Denial is tantamount to trolling. It is the philosophical doctrine suggesting the negation of one or more putatively meaningful aspects of life which on consideration those who set out to to troll the rest of us usually claim at the very least to hold precious. Trolling examined this way, thus visiting the mindset of those who set out to negate other lives and giving them structure, the ethnography in which their lives are looked at qualitatively using a research design that is aimed at exploring the cultural phenomena of the knowledge and the system of meaning in the lives of a distinct cultural group who set out to disturb others. That strikes me as very nihilistic.

I, on the other hand, think that as interesting as it is, I shall not look at it closer. I suspect I would be rather more angered than enlightened. Best not go there.

Interesting subject James. I often wonder what makes a troll "tick". What is the difference between most of us who post normal content and these trolls? For example, are they bullies on line only (hiding behind some non-identifying user-name)? Or are they also bullies in the workplace/in the home?