The Five Stages of Online Deviance: Why Good Intentions Go Bad on Social Media
How and Why Online Deviant Behavior Progresses: A Formulaic Breakdown
Online deviant behavior often unfolds in a predictable sequence, escalating from seemingly benign actions to collective condemnation. This progression is driven by psychological, social, and technological factors unique to digital environments, such as anonymity, group dynamics, and the rapid spread of information. Below is a formulaic breakdown of how this cycle typically occurs, with a mild, non-inflammatory example to illustrate each stage.
The Five-Stage Progression
1. Virtue Signaling
Definition: Publicly expressing opinions or sentiments to demonstrate one's good character or moral correctness, often to gain social approval.
Example: On a community forum, someone posts, "I always bring reusable bags to the grocery store because I care about the environment."
Recognition: Look for statements that seem more about displaying one's values than contributing to a genuine discussion, often phrased to highlight personal virtue.
2. Moral Policing
Definition: Enforcing certain moral values or norms, often intrusively, by judging or correcting others' behaviors.
Example: Another user replies, "People who still use plastic bags are just selfish and irresponsible."
Recognition: Watch for unsolicited corrections or judgments, especially when someone frames their view as the only morally acceptable position.
3. Shaming
Definition: Publicly calling out or humiliating someone for perceived norm violations, often as a means of social control.
Example: The group starts tagging a user who admitted to forgetting reusable bags, saying, "You should be ashamed for harming the planet."
Recognition: Notice when criticism becomes personal, focusing on the individual's character rather than the behavior, and when it is done in public view.
4. Dog Piling
Definition: Multiple people join in to criticize or attack the targeted individual, amplifying the social pressure and humiliation.
Example: Several users pile on, repeating the shame and adding comments like, "Wow, still using plastic in 2025? Disgraceful."
Recognition: A rapid increase in negative responses directed at one person, often using similar language or sentiments, creating a mob-like effect.
5. Cancel Culture
Definition: The collective withdrawal of support, ostracism, or boycotting of someone perceived to have violated social norms, often resulting in social or professional exclusion.
Example: Users call for others to block or report the individual, saying, "Let’s make sure people like this aren’t welcome in our group."
Recognition: Calls for exclusion, boycotts, or removal from platforms or communities, often justified as holding the person "accountable" but lacking room for redemption.
Why Does This Progression Happen So Naturally?
- Anonymity and Disinhibition: Online environments reduce accountability, making people more likely to act aggressively or judgmentally.
- Group Dynamics: Social media amplifies groupthink, where individuals conform to dominant views to gain approval or avoid being targeted themselves.
- Low Cost of Participation: It's easy to join in (dog pile) with a comment or like, making collective action swift and overwhelming.
- Desire for Social Status: Virtue signaling and moral policing can be ways to gain social capital by showing alignment with group values.
- Escalation: Each stage increases emotional intensity and group involvement, making it harder for individuals to step back or de-escalate.
Recognizing the Formula in Action
Here’s a simple checklist to spot the cycle:
- Are people making public declarations of virtue unrelated to the discussion? (Virtue signaling)
- Is someone correcting others in a moralizing tone? (Moral policing)
- Has criticism shifted from actions to personal attacks? (Shaming)
- Are multiple people repeating or amplifying the criticism? (Dog piling)
- Are there calls for exclusion, boycotts, or reporting? (Cancel culture)
Example Recap
| Stage | Example Statement | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Virtue Signaling | "I always use reusable bags for the environment." | Self-focused moral declaration |
| Moral Policing | "Using plastic bags is selfish and irresponsible." | Moral judgment/correction |
| Shaming | "You should be ashamed for harming the planet." | Public humiliation |
| Dog Piling | "Still using plastic in 2025? Disgraceful!" (from many) | Multiple similar attacks |
| Cancel Culture | "Let’s block/report them so they aren’t in our group." | Calls for exclusion/ostracism |
Conclusion
Online deviant behavior often follows a recognizable formula, moving from virtue signaling to cancel culture in a series of escalating steps. Recognizing these patterns early can help individuals and communities intervene before situations spiral, fostering healthier online interactions.
Comments
Post a Comment