Internet trolling, the act of deliberately provoking or antagonizing others online, isn’t just random meanness. It often stems from specific personality traits, environmental influences, and even a person’s genetic makeup. It’s a behavior that can have serious consequences, sometimes tragically so, as seen in cases like Megan Meier’s suicide, which was linked to cyberbullying. Understanding what drives trolls is the first step to recognizing and dealing with this harmful online behavior.
Researchers, including those from Brigham Young University, have identified key traits that fuel trolling. These often fall under a “dark triad” of narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, frequently coupled with schadenfreude—the enjoyment of others’ misfortune. Let’s delve into the top 10 factors that motivate internet trolling.
10 Narcissism
Narcissism is a personality trait where individuals have an inflated sense of their own importance. They crave admiration from others and often lack empathy, meaning they don’t understand or share the feelings of others. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), narcissistic personality disorder involves a long-term pattern of such behavior.
People high in narcissism might use various hurtful tactics to get what they want. These can include verbal attacks, manipulation, emotional blackmail, and trying to make others doubt their own perceptions (gaslighting). They might constantly compare others negatively, try to sabotage them, or lie. The impact on those targeted by narcissistic behavior can be severe, leading to self-doubt and symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder, like unwanted thoughts, flashbacks, and feeling constantly on edge.
9 Machiavellianism
Machiavellianism in psychology refers to a personality trait where someone is so focused on their own goals that they’ll manipulate, deceive, and exploit others to achieve them. They often disregard ethics or morals if it means getting what they want. Unlike narcissists, they don’t necessarily need to be the center of attention; they prefer to be like puppeteers, pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Individuals with Machiavellian traits are competitive rather than cooperative and are skilled manipulators. They might tell people what they want to hear, use flattery, or even commit crimes if they think they won’t get caught. For those dealing with such individuals, it’s often better to focus on self-care, set boundaries, and rely on trusted people for support rather than trying to outsmart them.
8 Psychopathy
Psychopathy is closely related to antisocial personality disorder. This disorder is marked by a consistent disregard for other people’s rights, often shown as hostility or aggression. Deception and manipulation are key characteristics. Psychopaths can be charming at first, using compliments to gain trust. They might appear as leaders but can lie effortlessly and are good at acting.
They often prey on kindness, cheat, and engage in gaslighting. In relationships, their behavior can swing between cruelty and apparent kindness. They might mirror others, pretending to share their morals and values. Experts suggest watching for red flags early in any relationship and trusting your instincts to protect yourself from psychopathic individuals.
7 Schadenfreude
Schadenfreude is a German word that means taking pleasure in someone else’s suffering or misfortune. It’s a common human tendency, sometimes seen in reactions to minor incidents, like someone tripping and spilling coffee, or laughing at another person’s expense. For internet trolls, this feeling can be a powerful motivator.
When narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy are combined with schadenfreude, it creates a potent mix. Trolls’ feelings of self-importance, their need for admiration, lack of empathy, self-absorption, and manipulative behavior, all get amplified when they also enjoy seeing others suffer. This often leads them to post annoying and offensive messages online.
6 Negative Social Potency
Some trolls are driven by what’s called negative social potency. This is essentially the pleasure they get from being cruel, callous, and using others for their personal gain. Research led by Dar Meshi at Michigan State University found that some users of social media platforms like Facebook and Snapchat derive enjoyment from being mean. Activities like embarrassing or angering other users were found to be pleasurable for these individuals.
Meshi’s research suggests that the more a person trolls, the more they enjoy the rewards of this negative social power, which can make them more addicted to trolling. Understanding this can help psychologists in finding ways to help both trolls and their victims.
5 Environment and Genetics
As we’ve seen, narcissism can be a foundation for trolling. According to the Mayo Clinic, both genetics and a person’s home environment (their upbringing) can contribute to narcissism. Studies on identical twins separated at birth and raised in different homes have shown that they share more personality traits than fraternal twins (who don’t have identical genes), suggesting a strong genetic component to personality.
Furthermore, genomic studies have started to link certain gene variations with personality disorders. For example, a specific gene called tryptophan hydroxylase-2 might be involved in the development of narcissistic personality disorder. While narcissism seems to have an inherited component, the environment also plays a crucial role in how these traits develop and are expressed.
4 Brain Damage
Narcissists often show little empathy or concern for others. Brain damage, particularly during childhood, might explain this lack of emotional intelligence. A part of the brain called the insular cortex is considered the seat of compassion and empathy. It helps us recognize our own emotions and those of others. In narcissists, this area, as well as the cerebral cortex (involved in conscious awareness), can be abnormal, often due to childhood abuse by narcissistic parents.
Damage to other brain areas like the hippocampus (crucial for learning and memory) and the amygdala (where emotions like fear, guilt, and shame originate) can also play a role. This damage can lead to an inability to handle their own emotions, especially shame and guilt, and can result in a permanent state of fear and anxiety. This cycle can even perpetuate, as abused children may develop similar brain abnormalities. However, it’s important to note that environmental factors also significantly influence behavior.
3 Neurobiology
Dr. Royce Lee, a psychiatrist at the University of Chicago Medicine, found that narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is linked to increased oxidative stress in the blood and to being overly sensitive in social interactions. Oxidative stress is an imbalance in the body that can damage cells. This finding raises questions about whether the personality disorder causes the stress, or if the stress contributes to the disorder.
Lee’s research suggests NPD might be a disorder of hypersensitivity, connecting oxidative stress to how people manage their emotions. For instance, levels of oxidative stress might relate to difficulties in recognizing or expressing shame. This highlights that NPD isn’t just about arrogant behavior; it has a neurobiological basis. Since narcissism is a factor in trolling, understanding this biological component could lead to new treatments for narcissism, potentially reducing trolling behavior linked to this hypersensitivity.
2 Mood and Discussion Context
A person’s mood and the context of an online discussion can also trigger trolling behavior. A study published in a peer-reviewed journal simulated an online discussion and found that the chances of trolling doubled when people were put in a negative mood or when they saw other troll posts. This suggests that a negative mood and exposure to trolling can encourage more trolling.
The authors of the study concluded that these two factors—mood and discussion context—can explain trolling behavior even better than a person’s past history of trolling. They also pointed out that, under the right (or wrong) circumstances, almost anyone could act like a troll.
1 Other Environmental Factors
Several other environmental factors contribute to trolling. The “online disinhibition effect” is one, where hiding behind a computer screen gives trolls a false sense of security. Anonymity, or not revealing one’s true identity, also emboldens such behavior. Tribalism, or a strong sense of belonging to a group, can lead to a pack mentality where individuals feel more comfortable attacking outsiders.
Perceived threats to one’s beliefs can also trigger defensive and aggressive online behavior. Additionally, conditioning plays a role; people with sadistic tendencies might feel rewarded by the hostile comments they make, reinforcing their trolling behavior. To protect yourself, it’s helpful to seek social support, avoid “feeding the trolls” (reacting to their provocations), and block them when possible.
As the ancient Stoic philosopher Epictetus wisely said, “Any person capable of angering you becomes your master; he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him.” These words remind us of the power we have in choosing how we react to others’ provocations, especially online.
Conclusion
Understanding the motivations behind internet trolling reveals a complex interplay of personality traits, psychological states, and environmental influences. From the dark triad of narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, to the simple yet corrosive pleasure of schadenfreude, and even biological factors like brain structure and neurochemistry, many elements can contribute to this disruptive online behavior. While anyone might be susceptible to trolling under certain conditions, recognizing these drivers is a crucial step towards fostering healthier online interactions and protecting ourselves from their negative impact.
What are your thoughts on these motivations? Have you encountered internet trolls? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below!
