Studies: Internet Trolls Really Are Horrible People

[Midtowner]

In the past few years, the science of Internet trollology has made some strides. Last year, for instance, we learned that by hurling insults and inciting discord in online comment sections, so-called Internet trolls (who are frequently anonymous) have a polarizing effect on audiences, leading to politicization, rather than deeper understanding of scientific topics.

That’s bad, but it’s nothing compared with what a new psychology paper has to say about the personalities of trolls themselves. The research, conducted by Erin Buckels of the University of Manitoba and two colleagues, sought to directly investigate whether people who engage in trolling are characterized by personality traits that fall in the so-called Dark Tetrad: Machiavellianism (willingness to manipulate and deceive others), narcissism (egotism and self-obsession), psychopathy (the lack of remorse and empathy), and sadism (pleasure in the suffering of others).

Internet troll personality study: Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, sadism.

So I wasn't imagining that the comments section everywhere is full of truly horrible people. It's a scientific reality

[Garin]

You should start a troll enforcement project. You & KR could get little yellow vests that say troll patrol and you could write demerits and yell citizens arrest... and fun stuff like that. Anyone with a different pov than you or someone that challenges you guys gets this label.

[venture]

Internet troll personality study: Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, sadism.

So I wasn't imagining that the comments section everywhere is full of truly horrible people. It's a scientific reality

Incoming "Such and such is on your ignore list" message boxes to prove your point. LOL

[Midtowner]

Incoming "Such and such is on your ignore list" message boxes to prove your point. LOL

I was trying not to bring them in to this discussion by specifically referencing comments sections, but if the shoe fits...

[ylouder]

I've stopped going to certain news sites because of internet trolls and lately there seems to be a positive movement to finally stop them. I know some sites have taken down the comment section or require people to post through facebook or other avenues; granted those can be easily by passed but it at least takes a little more effort.

The only thing it really does for me is reenforces that miserable and hateful people have nothing but time to sit around and complain about everyone else.


Seems like a very sad way to spend a limited amount of time on this planet.

[Midtowner]

Just FYI, with those Facebook accounts, if they're obviously not real people, if you report them, FB will delete the account. I've done that a few times.

[kelroy55]

Not sure we needed studies to know that about trolls.

[PennyQuilts]

I've stopped going to certain news sites because of internet trolls and lately there seems to be a positive movement to finally stop them. I know some sites have taken down the comment section or require people to post through facebook or other avenues; granted those can be easily by passed but it at least takes a little more effort.

The only thing it really does for me is reenforces that miserable and hateful people have nothing but time to sit around and complain about everyone else.


Seems like a very sad way to spend a limited amount of time on this planet.

Oh, stop complaining...

[PennyQuilts]

Just FYI, with those Facebook accounts, if they're obviously not real people, if you report them, FB will delete the account. I've done that a few times.

You have time to patrol facebook? And an interest in doing so? Really?

[kevinpate]

Not sure we needed studies to know that about trolls.

Hey, now, the folks who conduct studies gotta eat too

[kevinpate]

You have time to patrol facebook? And an interest in doing so? Really?

You have time to patrol folk who patrol FB folk? Really?
(sorry ... could not resist.)

[Garin]

You have time to patrol facebook? And an interest in doing so? Really?

Is he patrolling or just trolling? Oh the hypocrisy

[Midtowner]

The lady doth protest too much, methinks.

[ylouder]

I really don't understand penny. I would guess she is being sarcastic but from her confrontations with numerous people in other threads I don't know what to think.

[PennyQuilts]

You have time to patrol folk who patrol FB folk? Really?
(sorry ... could not resist.)

. No, that's just a comment - sure didn't go looking to bust people and report them. And if I did, I would sure be embarrassed.

[PennyQuilts]

I really don't understand penny. I would guess she is being sarcastic but from her confrontations with numerous people in other threads I don't know what to think.

I suspect you not knowing what to think has little to do with what I do.

Looks like you don't understand irony.

[zookeeper]

I think the trolls they're talking about in the study are of a different breed than we see around this forum. Some of the big networks have shut their comments off until they find a solution for the trolls that make your blood curdle. YouTube used to be quite the trolling heaven, too. Has it cleaned itself up any since their Google+ changes?

[ylouder]

I suspect you not knowing what to think has little to do with what I do.

Looks like you don't understand irony.

As I said I didn't know if you were being sarcastic because I was complaining about complaining or if you were just spreading your typical bitterness instead of actually participating in a real discussion.

[Midtowner]

I think the trolls they're talking about in the study are of a different breed than we see around this forum. Some of the big networks have shut their comments off until they find a solution for the trolls that make your blood curdle. YouTube used to be quite the trolling heaven, too. Has it cleaned itself up any since their Google+ changes?

Yeah, I didn't start this about them at all. They just hopped on over and got on the defensive... I guess it should say something that they thought I was talking about them, but we don't need to keep going back to that well.

The trouble is though, especially in politics comments sections, it's really tough to tell whether someone is Tea Party or troll.

For example, in any given comments section having anything the least bit to do with the federal government, you have:

__________________________________
This guy, Edmond, OK

Obummer need's to go back to Kenya if he wants to be a Marxist, let him do it in his own country! He's a diskrace to this country and to the flag and for everything AMERICA stand's for! He and hi's Muslim's are going to take over this Country with him flying in secret Muslim's on the airline's. Don't you people realize we are at WAR??? When Obummer implements Agenda 21, you won't even recognize this Country! God help us and GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!
_________________________________________

Troll or Tea Party member? Tough to tell..

[RadicalModerate]

You should start a troll enforcement project. You & KR could get little yellow vests that say troll patrol and you could write demerits and yell citizens arrest... and fun stuff like that. Anyone with a different pov than you or someone that challenges you guys gets this label.

Wait a second . . . Are you suggesting that Kenny Rogers has time to be a virtual crossing-guard on the Internet highway? Has the botox begun to infiltrate his brain? 'course he did write that song about knowin' when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em . . . so I guess I just don't know what to think, either.

[JohnnyW]

I'm glad to see that there is an effort to try to control the trolling. I guess people get a thrill by stirring up people's emotions and that is their idea of fun. I have seen it here by people not discussing the topic at hand but rather making ad hominem attacks and poking fun at other people's ideas.

For your question, YouTube has always been the worst offender of it and I think the requirement of the Google plus account is helping.

[Prunepicker]

I've noticed that most people that are called trolls simply don't agree with
the person who's calling them a troll.

I don't use the term since I believe everybody has their opinion and there's
no reason for name calling due to the fact that they differ.

Fact: One can't help but notice that the self proclaimed tolerant are the
first to cry troll.

[Plutonic Panda]

You have time to patrol facebook? And an interest in doing so? Really?

I have agreed with everyone of your posts up until this post. You must know, Facebook makes the reporting feature because it relies on the community to report impostors and people that are violating its terms of use. If you see one, you should report them. Facebook relies on you to do so to make it a better and more enjoyable place.

[Stew]

Only the willing get trolled so I simple choose not to be trolled. It's so silly in a textual world to get bent out of sorts over words on your computer screen. I just don't get it.

[PennyQuilts]

I have agreed with everyone of your posts up until this post. You must know, Facebook makes the reporting feature because it relies on the community to report impostors and people that are violating its terms of use. If you see one, you should report them. Facebook relies on you to do so to make it a better and more enjoyable place.

That wasn't all he said. He made a point of saying he went looking for them. I think that is creepy, frankly. I mean, who would want to do that - other than a troll going around trying to control other's speech? Maybe it is just me but I don't understand going out of your way to look for things you don't like and then try to get them banned. Odd hobby. It is one thing to see something that is out of line in the course of reading. It is another to take it upon yourself to be a hall monitor. I just don't see what someone gets out of that.