The motivation behind my question: When I joined yahoo answers a few months ago, I was astonished at the hate and negativity that is spread through both questions and answers on the site. Even very respectable people - people who say they are high school teachers, medics, nurses - were spreading negativity through their answers and to other members. I just joined again today to ask a simple question brought up by a professor at my university and re-experienced that negativity. Does internet anonyminity make people more prone to venting their anger online? It seems a little bit like the way people are rude to others when driving that they normally would not be rude to face to face. The car gives anonyminity in that case as the internet gives it in this case.
2007-03-17 18:46:22 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
THAT could be 4 some people. Then there are some of us out here that believe what goes around comes around. Another words if you give kindness sooner or later kindness Will come back to you.
2007-03-17 18:53:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it certainly does. People demonstrate just how racist, hateful, perverted, etc. they are because they feel like they are miles away from everything that is going on in the forums, on youtube, or here at Yahoo! Answers.
But it's not all about the anonymity; people sending e-mails even to ones they do know tend to express things that are much bolder than they could ever dare to say to the person's face, or over the phone.
This is partially due to the ability to sit by your keyboard, sip some lemonade, watch some TV, relax, and release all of your inhibitions. This just isn't possible in a formal atmosphere, and is in some ways a good thing. Allows some topics that aren't normally discussed to surface.
2007-03-18 02:18:47 · answer #2 · answered by L.E. 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think it could be an outlet for people releasing negative feelings, tension, stress. People who are unhappy, negative, tend to take it out or let out steam whether they know it or not.
Playing Devil's advocate here..... sometimes you just get people who post questions that are completely silly, and people just call them out on it. Once I read about a guy who asked how much would a ticket cost him if he drove on the wrong side of the road while speeding. I know those things sometimes strike a nerve to people, and of course they're gonna let him have it.
One time I got reported, because someone posted something about a trashy TV show, now the only things I said was that I couldn't believe someone actually admitting to watching it.... I never said she was stupid, but not only did I get reported, but she then looked for me on IM, and e-mail. Total waste of time, since I gave an opinion, it was not a scientific or an intellectual question, where's Someone's feelings would be hurt. I could have reported her too, for using foul language, but I wasn't going to go down to her level.
If you're gonna post something, you'll get a chance to rate, or defend you opinion. if I posted a question and I don;t like the answer, I could rate it bad or send an IM, but if it gets abusive you must report it.
2007-03-18 02:02:47 · answer #3 · answered by grldragon101 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I think internet anonyminity brings out negativity in a lot of people. But, internet anonyminity just brings out who people really are because they don't know the people they are talking to are.If they were having a face to face conversation with someone rather than on the internet anonymously they would be more cautious with what they're saying.
2007-03-18 01:52:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think is allows people to be more honest. So if they are correcting their negativity in good company they will be uninhibited. Likewise some people not feeling the pressure to carry the party line will be more sincere and share personal feelings.
... I looked at your question and you are being treated fairly.
2007-03-18 01:50:12 · answer #5 · answered by Ron H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
100% yes. Cowards hide behind anoninimity. I run into this ALL the time. I've been told I'm "stupid" for asking obvious sarcastic questions. Everyone needs to feel better than someone else...even though it's made up.
2007-03-18 01:51:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For me it is not negativity. They are just emboldened to say the truth with candidness at the thought that nobody knows them anyway.
2007-03-18 02:00:28 · answer #7 · answered by september 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If that was your question, you got off lightly. " a ping sound when a hair cell dies "?!?!?!
2007-03-18 02:01:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋