Disruptive online communication: How asymmetric trolling-like response strategies steer conversation off the track

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openAccess

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Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä

Date

2021-06

Major/Subject

Mcode

Degree programme

Language

en

Pages

37

Series

Computer Supported Cooperative Work: CSCW: An International Journal

Abstract

Internet trolling, a form of antisocial online behavior, is a serious problem plaguing social media. Skillful trolls can lure entire communities into degenerative and polarized discussions that continue endlessly. From analysis of data gathered in accordance with established classifications of trolling-like behavior, the paper presents a conversation analysis of trolling-like interaction strategies that disrupt online discussions. The authors argue that troll-like users exploit other users’ desire for common grounding – i.e., joint maintenance of mutual understanding and seeking of conversational closure – by responding asymmetrically. Their responses to others deviate from expectations for typical paired actions in turn-taking. These asymmetries, described through examples of three such behaviors – ignoring, mismatching, and challenging – lead to dissatisfactory interactions, in that they subvert other users’ desire for clarification and explanation of contra-normative social behavior. By avoiding clarifi- cations, troll-like users easily capture unsuspecting users’ attention and manage to prolong futile conversations interminably. Through the analysis, the paper connects trolling-like asymmetric response strategies with concrete data and addresses the implications of this nonconformist behavior for common grounding in social-media venues.

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Keywords

Asymmetric responses, CMC, Common grounding, Conversation analysis, Disruptive communication, Trolling

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Citation

Paakki, H, Vepsäläinen, H & Salovaara, A 2021, ' Disruptive online communication: How asymmetric trolling-like response strategies steer conversation off the track ', Computer Supported Cooperative Work: CSCW: An International Journal, vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 425-461 . https://doi.org/10.1007/s10606-021-09397-1