Psychology of unnecessary rudeness/offensiveness on this site

[shivvy]

(I know that this might not fit well in this category however I didn't want to post it in chatterbank.) I try not to get involved when people on this site are nasty for no apparent reason but can anyone suggest a valid reason ie a psychological explanation why people feel the need to be so offensive? I noticed a question earlier which is an example of what I mean. Someone posted a question worried about a lump on her dogs leg. However amid the very helpful replies, someone suggested that the dog should be shot. This is only one example of people being deliberatly immature and nasty and I am sure you have all seen similar posts. Why do people do this and what do they get out of it? Is it too obvious (psychologically) to suggest that it is because we are all essentially anonymous on these sites and therefore people do not behave as they would in a face-to-face social situation?

[Ice.Maiden]

Shivvy - I think many people are just having a bit of a laugh. It's probably not meant in a nasty way at all.

[Louisa 69]

I've just had a nose in that post. The person who made that remark has a habit of making offensive remarks.
Some folks are just sad through and through.

[Ice.Maiden]

Didn't see it lou - but you know what I mean. Some questions just beg for an amusing reply - but half the time, i don't think people are really being all that mean. You then find them answering other things and giving perfectly normal, logical replies.

[cazzzz1975]

sometimes people find it difficult to socialise online, whether it be a problem with bantering or just thinking of something to type.

These problems can be overcome in some people by lurking and gradually chipping in, then by getting to know people on here they get past their socialisation issues.

Some people never get past it, its often easier to insult people than to say something useful, however these people learn that the negative posts create more attention that is focused soley on them, thus they enter into a cycle of getting attention the only way they know how (by being a troll)

If no one replied to their insults or everyone blanked their posts they would not do it, its like dealing with a tantrum :D

[Quoi]

Pretty well agree with that cazzz - it is an attention seeking psychology that is best ignored. It isnt helped though when the main culprits are egged on by the bystanders.

[cazzzz1975]

That is the problem with the boredom factor as well quoi, sometimes the troll post can be deemed as entertainment for a few hours, so everyone dives in and has a go, myself included.

Im not proud of it but Im honest :D

[Ice.Maiden]

This is also true, Cazzz. I was a bit of an airhead myself at first - not because I couldn't socialise online, but because I'd had a few drinks - was being spurred on by a number of other people, and to be honest - was just horrible. It seemed amusing at the time though - although I'm the first to hold my hands up and say I was wrong. Perhaps what I mean is, that just because there's some "stupid" or funny reply to a sensible question, it might not mean that the person replying's being deliberately nasty. We all have mood changes, and I don't believe there's a person living who hasn't perhaps said something they've regretted later - x

[Quoi]

It depends what you want out of answerbank - the excitement & voyerism of a playground fight or an adult humurous dialogue.

[Louisa 69]

I think we all do Cazzz, especially if you feel strongly about what they are saying.

[pastafreak]

I was on that thread, and there was absolutely NOTHING humourous about the remark-it was seen as tasteless by all who replied. i for one would hope to come across here the same as I am in reality.

[megan07]

I agree with cazzzz, well said my love, hugs megan. xxx

[cazzzz1975]

I like a good debate, its difficult on a Q&A site, It depends on the debate as well, I have some specific interests, I also enjoy the frivolous questions and witty banter!!

Im not a fan of the posts that descend into name calling and general nastyness.

[Jugglering1]

I think that what is also forgotten (by the *nasty* posters) is the fact that behind these pixels and nicknames, there are real human beings with feelings and emotions. I am sure that if the same conversations were taking place face-to-face, most of the nastiness we see here simply would not occur.

I made the mistake once of treating a question as a joke and replied accordingly (not nasty just in jest) but the questioner was for real..... I rapidly apologised but just wished I'd sat on my hands.

[pastafreak]

Was someone saying you we LEg and BABYBOW....whatever for?? Some just stir..

[cazzzz1975]

If someone launches an unprovoked insult of me in a thread, I dont feel upset because I know that the person with the "issues" is not me.

When Blu3wave insults everyone under the sun she makes herself look like an idiot, not the people she is insulting, But she gets the attention she needs by being offensive, In the end its her I feel sorry for...

[cazzzz1975]

But this is because regulars hide behind another name in order to vent their true feelings. It drives me mad when people do that because it causes even more trolls to appear