Defining the trait psychopathic and sadistic predictors of malevolent internet trolls
A new study from Federation University Australia has been published, which reveals that men between the ages of 18 to 74 were more likely to perpetuate defamatory, deceitful, callous and malicious malevolent trolling on the internet.
The findings also characterised how these behaviours are linked to trait psychopathy and sadism, which is when people emotionlessly enjoy physically and/or psychologically inflicting harm, pain and humiliation towards others for amusement or entertainment.
Other predictors contained in the study’s findings also show that self-esteem while exhibiting sadistic behaviours causes a significant high level of positive impulses lacking empathy and personal responsibility, thereby making trolls feel better when targeting their victims online.