Key Takeaways
- Course evaluations and online comments can be a breeding ground for mean and hurtful feedback due to anonymity and a lack of accountability.
- The Online Disinhibition Effect, lower perceived consequences, and certain personality traits such as the Dark Triad can contribute to trolling behavior.
- Practicing empathy, focusing on outcomes, and being factual can help to promote kinder and more constructive feedback.
- Anonymous feedback can have real-life consequences, including damaging credibility and impacting identities.
- Understanding the psychological mechanisms behind trolling behavior can help to develop strategies for mitigating its effects.
Introduction to the Problem
Throughout the year, we all have particular events that mark the passage of time. Birthdays, holidays, special events. As professors, we have a few unique days too: some fun, some not. There’s the first day of classes, where we still get the jitters, and the last day of classes, when we are often just as excited as the students. And then there is the day our course evaluations arrive. Typical of many universities, the courses we teach have an anonymous evaluation at the end. These are usually a combination of multiple-choice questions that ask students to rate components of the class on a scale and open-ended questions that allow for additional feedback. In theory, the purpose of these evaluations is to provide useful feedback to the professor. However, in reality, they often become a place for students to say all the things they didn’t say throughout the semester, including hurtful and unconstructive comments.
The Psychology of Trolling
As professors, we have received comments that range from genuinely kind to downright cruel. Despite our best efforts to focus on the positive feedback, we often find ourselves fixated on the negative comments. This is due to a phenomenon known as negativity bias, which is an evolutionary advantage that helps us to avoid harm. However, it’s essential to recognize that this bias exists and to make a conscious effort to overcome it. The Online Disinhibition Effect, which occurs when people feel anonymous and unaccountable, can also contribute to trolling behavior. Research has found that anonymous commenters are significantly more likely to post vulgar, rude, and hateful comments than non-anonymous commenters.
Factors that Contribute to Trolling
Several factors can contribute to trolling behavior, including lower perceived consequences and certain personality traits. Anonymous posters often have a false sense of confidence that they will not be caught, and some believe that online messages are not permanent. However, this confidence is misplaced, as online activity can be tracked, and posts can be permanently archived. Additionally, certain personality traits, such as the Dark Triad, which includes sadism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism, can lead to maladaptive social and emotional processing. A lack of empathy can also contribute to trolling behavior, as individuals may not consider the impact of their words on others.
The Consequences of Trolling
Being subjected to unkind anonymous feedback can have real-life consequences. As professors, we have learned to move past the mean comments, but these evaluations are still part of our annual reviews and can impact our raises and identities. In the case of businesses, mean-spirited comments can damage their credibility and impact their competitive rankings. It’s essential to recognize that these comments are not just harmless opinions but can have a significant impact on individuals and organizations.
Mitigating the Effects of Trolling
So, how can we mitigate the effects of trolling? One strategy is to practice empathy. Before posting a comment or review, take a moment to consider how your words may affect the subject. Remember that your comments say as much about you as they do about the subject. Focus on outcomes, and try to provide constructive feedback that can help to bring about positive change. Be factual, and avoid hyperbolic language that can be damaging and unhelpful. By promoting kindness and empathy online, we can create a more positive and supportive environment for everyone.
Conclusion
Course evaluations and online comments can be a challenging and hurtful experience for many individuals. However, by understanding the psychological mechanisms behind trolling behavior, we can develop strategies for mitigating its effects. By practicing empathy, focusing on outcomes, and being factual, we can promote kinder and more constructive feedback. It’s essential to recognize that anonymous feedback can have real-life consequences and to take steps to create a more positive and supportive online environment. By doing so, we can help to put our trolls to sleep and create a more compassionate and constructive online community.
