PsyPost reports:

A new study reveals a psychological pathway that connects narcissistic personality traits with the tendency to engage in social media trolling. The research suggests this link is partially explained by a person’s feelings of malicious envy and their exposure to antisocial media content. The findings were published in the journal Behaviour & Information Technology.

To understand the study, it helps to first understand the concepts involved. Narcissism is a personality trait characterized by a grandiose sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, and a sense of entitlement. Trolling, in the context of social media, refers to the act of posting inflammatory or provocative messages to intentionally upset others and disrupt online conversations. The researchers, Mars A. Brown and Masahiro Toyama from the Department of Psychology at Marshall University, sought to explore the mechanisms behind the known association between these two phenomena.

Previous research has shown mixed results on the connection between narcissism and trolling, but recent studies have more consistently found a link. The Marshall University team wanted to build on this work by examining potential intermediary factors. They focused on two distinct types of envy. [Continue reading…]