Overview
This lecture explores online trolling, its history, psychological factors, motivations behind it, and strategies for managing harmful online behaviors.
What is Trolling?
- Trolling is disrupting online conversations by posting off-topic or inflammatory comments.
- Early trolling began in the 1990s on forums like Usenet, often targeting newcomers for playful reasons.
- Trolling now ranges from harmless pranks to harmful behaviors like cyberbullying.
Types and Motivations of Trolls
- Some trolls seek laughs (the "lulz"), while others aim to provoke or harass.
- Griefers disrupt online games for fun or to upset other players.
- Groups like Anonymous may use trolling tactics for political activism or to fight censorship.
- Cyberbullying involves targeting individuals with harassing comments, often causing stress.
The Psychology of Trolling
- The Online Disinhibition Effect describes how anonymity online loosens social inhibitions.
- Key factors: dissociative anonymity, invisibility, asynchronicity, solipsistic introjection, dissociative imagination, and minimized authority.
- People often dehumanize others online, making harmful behavior easier.
- Lack of clear authority and social feedback online can enable toxic interactions.
Personality Traits Associated with Trolling
- The "Dark Triad" (or "Tetrad") traits are correlated with aggressive trolling:
- Machiavellianism: manipulation and detachment.
- Narcissism: inflated self-worth, lack of empathy.
- Psychopathy/antisocial personality disorder: no empathy or guilt.
- Sadism: enjoyment of others’ pain.
- Only about 5% of online users self-identify as enjoying trolling.
Managing Trolling and Online Communities
- Well-moderated online spaces tend to have more civil conversations.
- "Broken Windows Theory": toxic behavior attracts more of the same unless addressed.
- Strong moderation can conflict with free speech concerns.
- Humanizing victims can reduce trolls’ detachment and discourage harmful behavior.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Trolling — Posting disruptive or inflammatory content online to provoke reactions.
- Online Disinhibition Effect — Anonymity online leads to less restrained behavior.
- Griefer — Someone who deliberately disrupts online gaming for fun.
- Dark Triad/Tetrad — A group of personality traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism) linked to antisocial behavior.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the Online Disinhibition Effect and Dark Triad traits for further understanding.
- Reflect on how different online communities manage and discourage trolling.
- Avoid engaging with trolls (“don’t feed the trolls”).