The Psychology of Trolling: Unmasking the Digital Aggressor
In an era where digital interaction increasingly shapes our social landscape, the phenomenon of online trolling has surged to concerning levels within the United Kingdom and beyond. Recent data from the Law Commission UK (2018) reveals that approximately 1% of internet users in the UK report having been subjected to trolling within the past year, rising to 5% among those aged 16-24. While these numbers may appear modest, the profound psychological consequences of such experiences demand urgent academic scrutiny. To combat this modern form of aggression, it is crucial to explore the psychological profile of those who engage in trolling, investigate the motivations underpinning their behaviour, and re-evaluate the societal perception that trolling is a lesser form of harm compared to physical abuse.
Defining Trolling: Malice or Mischief?
A troll is traditionally defined as an individual who deliberately incites conflict, hostility, or distress through provocative and antagonistic online behaviour. While some instances of trolling may be rooted in a desire to entertain or amuse, scholarly inquiry predominantly classifies trolling as a malevolent act aimed at causing harm. The deliberate nature of this behaviour differentiates it from impulsive outbursts or misunderstandings, positioning it as a calculated and sustained effort to disrupt the emotional well-being of others.
The Consequences of Trolling: Psychological and Social Ramifications
The harmful repercussions of trolling are well-documented. Victims frequently endure lowered self-esteem, depression, anxiety, disrupted sleep patterns, and, in extreme cases, self-harm and suicidal ideation. A comprehensive 2017 Ofcom report on adult media use and attitudes substantiates the prevalence of this phenomenon, employing data from 1,846 adults and an additional 3,743 respondents via the Technology Tracker. The findings suggest that while 1% of internet users overall reported trolling victimisation, the figure rises notably among younger demographics. International research echoes these trends, with studies estimating rates of cyberbullying as high as 31.4% and cyber victimisation between 24.6% and 30.2%. These statistics underscore the necessity of understanding the psychological underpinnings of trolling behaviour to inform both prevention and intervention strategies.
Profiling the Troll: A Psychological Inquiry
Efforts to delineate the psychological characteristics of trolls have largely converged on two dominant perspectives. The first approach situates trolling behavior within the framework of the Five-Factor Model of personality, examining traits such as conscientiousness, agreeableness, emotional stability, openness to experience, and extraversion (Gylfason, Sveinsdottir, Vésteinsdóttir, & Sigurvinsdottir, 2021). Findings suggest that trolls typically score lower on agreeableness and conscientiousness, reflecting an antisocial disposition.
The second and arguably more compelling approach investigates the association between trolling and the so-called 'Dark Triad' of personality traits — Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy (Paulhus & Williams, 2002; Jones & Paulhus, 2011, 2014). Emerging research expands this triad into a 'Dark Tetrad' with the inclusion of sadism (Vaillancourt & Arnocky, 2019). Sadism, defined as deriving pleasure from inflicting pain, has garnered considerable empirical support as a key predictor of trolling behaviour. Notably, individuals exhibiting high levels of sadism coupled with high self-esteem appear particularly predisposed to engage in trolling. This synergy suggests that trolls may experience a perverse sense of gratification and self-enhancement through their harmful actions.
Addressing Trolling: Practical and Policy Implications
The insights gleaned from psychological profiling hold significant implications for managing and mitigating trolling behaviour. Recognising that trolls often possess callous, psychopathic traits and a diminished capacity for empathy — encapsulated by a low 'Violence Inhibition Mechanism' (VIM) — underscores the importance of tailored intervention strategies. The following guidelines aim to empower individuals and institutions in responding to online trolling:
- Avoid Immediate Emotional Reactions: Refrain from retaliating in anger or frustration, as this response fuels the troll’s sense of achievement.
- Seek Psychological Support: Address the emotional toll of trolling by consulting mental health professionals or support networks.
- Resist Engagement: Refusing to respond to trolls deprives them of the gratification they seek — engagement sustains their behaviour.
- Document Incidents: Maintain a detailed record of the trolling events, which may serve as evidence in reporting the abuse.
- Report and Escalate: Notify social media platforms of the abuse and, where appropriate, involve law enforcement by contacting 101.
- Educate and Advocate: Promote awareness of the psychological harms associated with trolling, challenging the outdated perception that online abuse is inconsequential.
The forthcoming Online Safety Bill offers a promising legislative framework to address digital abuse, marking an essential step toward ensuring online environments are safer and more accountable.
Conclusion: Reframing Trolling as a Serious Social Issue
In sum, the characterisation of trolling as a benign or humorous online activity must be fundamentally re-examined. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that trolling constitutes a form of psychological aggression, wielded by individuals who exhibit pronounced antisocial and sadistic tendencies. By advancing our understanding of the psychological drivers of trolling, we can foster more compassionate, informed, and resilient digital communities. As society continues to navigate the complexities of online interaction, recognising the profound human cost of trolling — and treating it as a legitimate form of abuse — is imperative for safeguarding mental health and social cohesion
References
Davis, A. C., Visser, B. A., Volk, A. A., Vaillancourt, T., & Arnocky, S. (2019). The relations between life history strategy and dark personality traits among young adults. Evolutionary Psychological Science, 5(2), 166-177.
Gylfason, H. F., Sveinsdottir, A. H., Vésteinsdóttir, V., & Sigurvinsdottir, R. (2021). Haters Gonna Hate, Trolls Gonna Troll: The Personality Profile of a Facebook Troll. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(11),
Jones, D. N., & Paulhus, D. L. (2014). Introducing the short dark triad (SD3) a brief measure of dark personality traits. Assessment, 21(1), 28-41.
Law Commission (UK), Abusive and Offensive Online Communications: A Scoping Report, November 2018, available at: https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/lawcom-prod-storage- 11jsxou24uy7q/uploads/2018/10/6_5039_LC_Online_Comms_Report_FINAL_291018_WEB.pdf
Paulhus, D. L., & Jones, D. N. (2015). Measures of dark personalities. In Measures of personality and social psychological constructs (pp. 562-594). Academic Press.
Disclaimer: The content generated on this blog is for information purposes only. This Article gives the views and opinions of the authors.
Dr Michelle Hunter-Hill is a Chartered Psychologist, Behavioural Scientist and Coach who specialises in advising on trolling, and the psychological safety of workers/contributors in various occupational settings (offices, remote-working, on screen, on track/field/pitch). Dr Hunter-Hill creates psychometric profiles (assessments) of trolls/digital bullies, and deviant types such as narcissistic leaders, extreme risk takers and more. Dr Hunter-Hill runs the Issues@Work Clinic, and The Psychometrics Cafe’. Dr Hunter-Hill is Director of the MSc Occupational and Business Psychology programme at University of Roehampton.
