There is now scientific evidence that Internet trolls are indeed just as mean in their private lives as they are in their digital ones, and it appears the driving force behind their trolling is good old-fashion sadism.
The research comes from a team out of Canada from multiple universities who put their findings rather bluntly. “It might be said that online trolls are prototypical everyday sadists,” the investigators state.
In other words, Internet trolls are not the nicest people in the world, but they are as old as time.
Sadism is no joke; it is indicative of psychological disturbance and, in extreme cases, can be diagnosed using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Loosely defined, a sadist is a person who derives pleasure from inflicting pain, suffering or humiliation on others.
This is nothing new. In fact, the term “sadist” comes from the infamous Marquis de Sade, a French writer of the 1700s and early 1800s who was imprisoned in an asylum for his lewdness.
“Both trolls and sadists feel sadistic glee at the distress of others,” the researchers wrote. “Sadists just want to have fun and the Internet is their playground!”
READ MORE: NewsNet5.com
Article Courtesy of WEWS NewsChannel 5
Picture Courtesy of Getty Images and WEWS NewsChannel 5
