: Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, sadism.
Internet troll personality study: Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, sadism.
Thank you to amaebi.
I am not so much interested in internet "trolls" as i am in this apparent "dark tetrad" which the authors seem to regard as a "syndrome," a number of symptoms which can be grouped together, each enhancing the impact of the others. This syndrome may infect five percent of internet users and there is no reason for me to suspect that the percentage would be much different in the general population, although there could be reasons to hypotheses that internet familiarity and use might be higher for those with the "tetrad."
Some people who are psychopathic, sadistic, narcissistic and Machiavellian are, of course, "criminals." But i suspect that most are not indictable in our culture. Using the well known principal that the person who steals the horse is punished while the person who steals the ranch (or a bunch of ranches) is rewarded. most will choose to exercise their "dark tetrad" characteristics in "legitimate" business and political endeavors. Some, like the dentist in The Little Shop of Horrors, might go into medicine; but they will no doubt seek out the most lucrative and high status specialties, and those in which they are best able to express their narcissistic and sadistic tendencies.
I do not know what i can do to avoid such people or to limit the impact they have on myself or others. Lack of competency, skill, or reputation is obviously not a good way to spot such individuals. Perhaps i should care less about the competency of the people i deal with and more about they hearts?
Thank you to amaebi.
I am not so much interested in internet "trolls" as i am in this apparent "dark tetrad" which the authors seem to regard as a "syndrome," a number of symptoms which can be grouped together, each enhancing the impact of the others. This syndrome may infect five percent of internet users and there is no reason for me to suspect that the percentage would be much different in the general population, although there could be reasons to hypotheses that internet familiarity and use might be higher for those with the "tetrad."
Some people who are psychopathic, sadistic, narcissistic and Machiavellian are, of course, "criminals." But i suspect that most are not indictable in our culture. Using the well known principal that the person who steals the horse is punished while the person who steals the ranch (or a bunch of ranches) is rewarded. most will choose to exercise their "dark tetrad" characteristics in "legitimate" business and political endeavors. Some, like the dentist in The Little Shop of Horrors, might go into medicine; but they will no doubt seek out the most lucrative and high status specialties, and those in which they are best able to express their narcissistic and sadistic tendencies.
I do not know what i can do to avoid such people or to limit the impact they have on myself or others. Lack of competency, skill, or reputation is obviously not a good way to spot such individuals. Perhaps i should care less about the competency of the people i deal with and more about they hearts?