On the Psychology of Trolls



I got to thinking about the psychology of trolls after seeing the results of a very effective, albeit clumsy, troll in another post.

For those that don’t know, the kind of troll I’m talking about is not the kind that lives under bridges. I’m talking about a troll of a different type. An Internet troll.

“An Internet troll is someone who posts controversial and usually irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an on-line discussion forum or chat room, with the intention of baiting other users into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.” (yes I’m citing wiki…).

Trolls are said to use “flame bait.” In that they post incendiary comments that elicit flaming emotional responses from other readers. Responding to a troll is called “feeding the troll.” In a social learning or behavioural perspective, this would be providing reinforcement for the troll…it will increase their trolling behaviour.

Some research on email-based trolls takes into account the notion of deindividuation, a social psychological process in which factors are purported to reduce an individual’s identity. While interesting, and probably plays some role, I’ll just add some pure speculation.

In some instances, trolls may be passive-aggressive individuals…people who do not feel comfortable expressing their hostility in direct ways. However, with the anonymity provided by the Internet, they feel less inhibited and more directly incite others.

In other instances, trolls may desire attention, consciously or unconsciously, and by trolling and posting flame bait, they can get attract a great deal of attention. Thus the notion of “feeding the troll” is apt. The food, in this case, is the attention provided by an emotional counter response, or simply a response at all.

Some trolls may have an organised agenda. In other words, a set of atheist trolls, might set out to try “evangelise,” believers to their cause. They may copy and paste incendiary comments or talking points from other favourite troll hangouts. Yes…trolls may run in packs…(not mentioning any names here, but you know who they are)

Trolls can be very skilled at “pushing the buttons” of a reader. Sometimes, they seem to know just the right thing to say in their flame bait to elicit the most extreme flaming response.

So, my advice to XN readers is, DNFTT (do not feed the trolls). And so it goes, trolls will continue to be fed…because it’s so irresistible to lash out against these creatures. I suppose that’s another issue entirely…the psychology of responding to flame bait.

 

i thought you were an english teacher not a psychologistlol

 

wow, do we have issues tonight or what?!?!?

 

Unfortunately the chemist is closed!

From another perspective, I have to admit that the trolling post I read made me laugh my head off!

The way the gullible jumped in with both feet and their eyes firmly closed amused me enormously! It was highly entertaining.

Perhaps I should add a sub theme here. What do people think of trolls on the forum? Do they provide something positive or are they merely an irritant on the butt of XN?

 

Oh, didn't you know? I wear many hats, including this pretty number. But the best psychologist has to understand himself first!

 

A troll doll!!!! brings back memories!! :excited:

 

MY THANKS TO EVERYONE

493ky was so similar to another one that I think it may be the same one. If it is who I think it is, he was a thief that stole about $500 worth of games from Andreamedis when he left her apartment where he had been staying rent free for some time.

If it wasn't you Taylor, I apologize, but you are still a thief and there is a warrant out for your arrest in las vegas.

Thank all of you for jumping on his thread and derailing it. I note that this was one of very very few times a user has been deleted. The only other one I know of is sexserv, that was at her own request. I rather got to like her after a while.

Thank you very much,

Lainie

 

I'll be your troll doll, Lioness!

 

You have bright pink hair!!!!??

 

hey....Mr. Partyparty.....

I have no idea who you are referring to.

Can't be me though.....I don't do clumsy.

 

Funny you should walk in :excited:

And no, I most definitely wasn't talking about you. But I wish I could be as good as you think you are

 

Ouch......

Now there's a backhanded compliment if ever I heard one!!

However.....trolling on this site would be akin to shooting fish in a barrel....

so I personally haven't even ever bothered trying.

I will admit winding Shake up is good fun though!!

 

i have no idea how TCL made me think of thisrolleyes but i have realized that (this is not a rule, just an observation) i like some trolls and not others. i have discovered through epiphany that i do not like trolls who start their own trolling threads. for instance, i liked Bug24 but not *insert name of a troll thats started a pointless attention seeking thread in the hopes of making their abnormally small penis acceptable in their own minds*. its really that simple.


...that was the worst example of anything i have ever read but do you understand me?

 

We all feed the trolls...lol, good definitions there hed!
There are also, "Strategic" and "Tactical" trolls,

And...

From "The Frontman"

Tactical trolls take much more care and effort over the creation of their persona. Such trolls are likely to be seen as long term list members, and have the confidence and trust of the bona fide people on the mailing list. They use many of the techniques listed for Playtime Trolls, but in addition:

* I could substitute "Respected member" for "long term list member"

And...
Strategic Trolls
Strategic trolls often operate in groups, rather than alone. They use multiple personalities, each of which uses the techniques outlined in the section on tactical trolls. However, they have an overall strategy for drawing bona fide list members into argument, ultimately causing them to leave, or for the trolls to dominate of the group. In particular:

• They have various phases to their strategy, where each phase aims to achieve different things.
• The first phase usually involves establishing multiple personalities who become recognized as integral members of the group - "friendly trolls." Don't be deceived by the title - they appear to be friendly but they have very different hidden motives. Establishing friendly trolls in a group is a process that can take many months or even years.
• The second phase involves using new personalities to start divisive threads, in the manner outlined under "Tactical Trolls." In the event that no list members respond to these threads, other phase two trolls will respond to them to keep the debate active.
• If existing list members have not yet joined in the arguments, the third phase involves "offensive trolls" attacking their own personae from the first phase. As these trolls will have built up a lot of goodwill in the group, other list members will jump to their defense, and they are therefore drawn in to the argument.
• In case other list members don't join in, "defensive trolls" may join in and continue to give air time to the "offensive trolls." The friendly trolls can also incite bona fide list members to join in using offlist emails.
• Another phase may involve the friendly trolls starting to retaliate publicly, calling on the support of bona fide list members.
• When things start to get out of hand, petrol will be poured on the flames to try and stir things up as much as possible and cause the maximum amount of strife and chaos.

 

Morning TLC, how you doin?

Are you back from Finland or still swimming with the fishes?
Speaking of fishes, thought you might like this

 

Excellent addition Waf, but think of the psychology of those who would build this up over years. I suddenly feel perfectly sane and normal!!!!

 

=

 

Gosh, being a troll sounds so involved it looks like it could be put on their resumes!!!

 

You mean the fish job?????

 

Another good troll pic, and thanks Hed.

Wayfarer