Aggressive computer mediated communication: the trolling phenomenon from the perspectives of the cyber-readers

• Main Authors: Chung, Constantine Jerome L., Samson, Raphael Fredric R.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2012
• Subjects: Online trolling; Internet users > Psychology; Online chat groups > Moral and ethical aspects; Social Psychology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/10154
• Institution: De La Salle University

A study was conducted on the phenomenon of trolling from the perspective of the cyber readers. It focused on the trolling experience of the victims, the affected norms, and the perceived effects. After gathering a sample of 10 participants, 5 male 5 female for an interview, it was found that the phenomenon is an indirect attack targeting specific groups. In addition the experience of the victims had three phases, the first where they interpreted, the second where they reacted and finally the third where they took action. Interpretations were based on the norms of the group, with the resulting reactions being generally negative although some found humor in them. The actions were dependent on their emotional reactions with those finding humour attempting to mimic the troll whereas those who had a negative reaction retaliated or isolated themselves. The norms affected were explicit facilitative norms such as website rules and implicit facilitative norms such as etiquette. The perceived effects of trolling was that it was found to affect the cyber-readers’ online activities, feelings and self.