Psychology of unnecessary rudeness/offensiveness on this site

[shivvy]

(I know that this might not fit well in this category however I didn't want to post it in chatterbank.) I try not to get involved when people on this site are nasty for no apparent reason but can anyone suggest a valid reason ie a psychological explanation why people feel the need to be so offensive? I noticed a question earlier which is an example of what I mean. Someone posted a question worried about a lump on her dogs leg. However amid the very helpful replies, someone suggested that the dog should be shot. This is only one example of people being deliberatly immature and nasty and I am sure you have all seen similar posts. Why do people do this and what do they get out of it? Is it too obvious (psychologically) to suggest that it is because we are all essentially anonymous on these sites and therefore people do not behave as they would in a face-to-face social situation?

[pastafreak]

If some want to joke or get nasty or whatever....do it on chatterbank.....but most questions on other subjects demand serious answers......this particular post was in ANIMALS &NATURE-the poster was genuinely worried about their pet.

[cazzzz1975]

Well it was Lucy Thomas who said the insult, Lets face it most of her posts are all aimed at belittling people for grammar, spelling and composition. best ignored!

[pastafreak]

troll alert!!

[rickee]

You're dead right In a Pickle! It must give them a kick to keep seeing their words online,no matter how stupid and childish those words are. Silly people eh?

[shivvy]

Thanks for all your interesting answers.
I thought that there might have been some 'nasty' remarks on this post but maybe people were concerned about what other peoples analysis of them might reveal!

[kwicky]

Aaron are you referring to masonic clique who prefer their own company and treat women like second class citizens?
Poofs!