Arguing on the webernet

GuitarJerry

Is there any peer reviewed research about the psychology of people that argue on Internet forums?

Just curious.

SwimFan1981

Didn't I just see you offering to argue everyone down in the "Concerns over dairy" thread? :laugh:

sissiluv

To me the only difference between arguing IRL and doing it over the computer are a) I have references to make my points with on hand, b) I don't have to deal with my stuttering that pops up when I'm stressed and c) I don't have to fear it coming to blows.

However just because it's over the internet I don't feel it makes anyones concerns any less valid, poignant or real. This is still real human interaction, its just not face to face.

It's fun as peas too.

whierd

Is there any peer reviewed research about the psychology of people that argue on Internet forums?

Just curious.

Is your profile picture saying "Come At Me Bro!"

Unknown

This content has been removed.

stephdeeable

What else are we supposed to do on here? It can't ALL be cat gifs.

Showmm

There's a HUGE difference between arguing in real life and online. Or disagreeing or discussing or whatever you want to call it.

This is what happens online. You take a complicated topic. Person A expresses an opinion about it and Person B disagrees strongly, and tells Person A why B's opinion is better. Person A takes 10% of what B said and argues only on that point, ignoring the rest of the arguments. In real life, you would say, "Let's leave point Z out of it for now. What about A-Y?" Online, they can far more easily ignore you or your rebuttals than they can in real life.

I occasionally get dragged into an online argument, but usually nowadays I have enough sense to stay out of them. Otherwise I turn into this:

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

What else are we supposed to do on here? It can't ALL be cat gifs.

I actually prefer internet arguments. I tend not to get into them but I like to read them because people can actually link to studies or articles, I can go off and read those things and then come back. It's less stressful to me than witnessing an argument IRL.

I don't know that most people are much different online than they are IRL. I'm pretty non-confrontational either way.

FitBeto

To me the only difference between arguing IRL and doing it over the computer are a) I have references to make my points with on hand, b) I don't have to deal with my stuttering that pops up when I'm stressed and c) I don't have to fear it coming to blows.

However just because it's over the internet I don't feel it makes anyones concerns any less valid, poignant or real. This is still real human interaction, its just not face to face.

It's fun as peas too.

People do not argue IRL, any where near the extent they do on the Internet, in my life experience. It's the anonymity that provokes *kitten*-like behavior and over-the-top incessant point-making.

If you want to test my theory, have a huge MFP get-together and make friends with a ton of these people. Soon, you'll find that you pretty much stop with the barking.

Maybe 78% of people don't argue like this "IRL" - but from where I'm standing your barking sounds alot like meowing

darrensurrey

What else are we supposed to do on here? It can't ALL be cat gifs.

:laugh:

TylerJ76

To me the only difference between arguing IRL and doing it over the computer are a) I have references to make my points with on hand, b) I don't have to deal with my stuttering that pops up when I'm stressed and c) I don't have to fear it coming to blows.

However just because it's over the internet I don't feel it makes anyones concerns any less valid, poignant or real. This is still real human interaction, its just not face to face.

It's fun as peas too.

People do not argue IRL, any where near the extent they do on the Internet, in my life experience. It's the anonymity that provokes *kitten*-like behavior and over-the-top incessant point-making.

If you want to test my theory, have a huge MFP get-together and make friends with a ton of these people. Soon, you'll find that you pretty much stop with the barking.

Why are you trying to argue this?

darrensurrey

To me the only difference between arguing IRL and doing it over the computer are a) I have references to make my points with on hand

Yep. It's annoying arguing down the pub.

"Cows have 5 legs."
"No, they don't."
"Yes, they do, I saw a whole herd of them yesterday. At least 4,000. I asked the farmer and he said most cows do have 5 legs."

jamie610811

shut up

stephdeeable

What else are we supposed to do on here? It can't ALL be cat gifs.

I actually prefer internet arguments. I tend not to get into them but I like to read them because people can actually link to studies or articles, I can go off and read those things and then come back. It's less stressful to me than witnessing an argument IRL.

I don't know that most people are much different online than they are IRL. I'm pretty non-confrontational either way.

I watched that for so long I started to feel creepy.

HelloDan

Some good points raised already.

Another contributing factor is body language and tone of voice.
In real life, it's possible to disagree without being aggressive, and to have a civil discussion, despite having different viewpoints.

On the internet, because you cannot see the other person, or hear their tone, you miss the soft cues as to how they intend a point to come across, and most people instinctively assume a disagreeing response as some kind of aggressive act and escalate their reply accordingly, until it is well and truly out of hand.

darrensurrey

What else are we supposed to do on here? It can't ALL be cat gifs.

http://youtu.be/EHW_r5Jpbic

darrensurrey

Some good points raised already.

Another contributing factor is body language and tone of voice.
In real life, it's possible to disagree without being aggressive, and to have a civil discussion, despite having different viewpoints.

On the internet, because you cannot see the other person, or hear their tone, you miss the soft cues as to how they intend a point to come across, and most people instinctively assume a disagreeing response as some kind of aggressive act and escalate their reply accordingly, until it is well and truly out of hand.

YOU ARE WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!









I would call you out but you're too close so might actually turn up.

SteveJWatson

To me the only difference between arguing IRL and doing it over the computer are a) I have references to make my points with on hand

Yep. It's annoying arguing down the pub.

"Cows have 5 legs."
"No, they don't."
"Yes, they do, I saw a whole herd of them yesterday. At least 4,000. I asked the farmer and he said most cows do have 5 legs."

Alright Dave?

darrensurrey

To me the only difference between arguing IRL and doing it over the computer are a) I have references to make my points with on hand

Yep. It's annoying arguing down the pub.

"Cows have 5 legs."
"No, they don't."
"Yes, they do, I saw a whole herd of them yesterday. At least 4,000. I asked the farmer and he said most cows do have 5 legs."

Alright Dave?

:laugh:

Bethie_B

It's not the webernet. It's the interwebz. Everyone knows that.

darrensurrey

It's not the webernet. It's the interwebz. Everyone knows that.

Is there any peer reviewed research to prove this?

HelloDan

Some good points raised already.

Another contributing factor is body language and tone of voice.
In real life, it's possible to disagree without being aggressive, and to have a civil discussion, despite having different viewpoints.

On the internet, because you cannot see the other person, or hear their tone, you miss the soft cues as to how they intend a point to come across, and most people instinctively assume a disagreeing response as some kind of aggressive act and escalate their reply accordingly, until it is well and truly out of hand.

YOU ARE WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!









I would call you out but you're too close so might actually turn up.

LOL!

I was actually waiting for the disagreeing response from the moment I clicked post!

likitisplit

Because everybody is a troll on the internet. Can you imagine what it would be like if we weren't?

Person A: I only ate 1000 calories today and I'm hungry!
Person B: You go!
Person C: Eat some mud and fill yourself up.
Person Some great ideas on here. You guys rock.
Person E: Here's a cat gif.

WendyTerry420

Is there any peer reviewed research about the psychology of people that argue on Internet forums?

Just curious.

Since I'm a "know-it-all," that's my excuse. I have several corners of the internet where a debate will last for days, or even weeks.

darrensurrey

Is there any peer reviewed research about the psychology of people that argue on Internet forums?

Just curious.

Since I'm a "know-it-all," that's my excuse. I have several corners of the internet where a debate will last for days, or even weeks.

Usually about religion.

g0tr00t

Homemade waffles are ALWAYS better than store brand garbage. I'm right, I know, don't you dare respond.

SoDamnHungry

To me the only difference between arguing IRL and doing it over the computer are a) I have references to make my points with on hand, b) I don't have to deal with my stuttering that pops up when I'm stressed and c) I don't have to fear it coming to blows.

However just because it's over the internet I don't feel it makes anyones concerns any less valid, poignant or real. This is still real human interaction, its just not face to face.

It's fun as peas too.

People do not argue IRL, any where near the extent they do on the Internet, in my life experience. It's the anonymity that provokes *kitten*-like behavior and over-the-top incessant point-making.

If you want to test my theory, have a huge MFP get-together and make friends with a ton of these people. Soon, you'll find that you pretty much stop with the barking.

Maybe 78% of people don't argue like this "IRL" - but from where I'm standing your barking sounds alot like meowing

Probably because of all the cat gifs.

scs143

Why are you trying to start arguing on the "webernet"?

Crankstr

no

n0ob

People also don't have the time to say such WRONG and LONG explanations of things IRL either.

I'd stop someone for saying something as wrong as much of the stuff posted in a real conversation...

TylerJ76

no

YES.