Psychological studies show trolls tend to be male, show higher levels of psychopathy traits — low levels of empathy, guilt and responsibility for their actions — and higher levels of sadism traits — the enjoyment of causing others physical and psychological pain. (psychlopaedia.org)
According to a 2014 study entitled «Trolls Just Want to Have Fun» from psychologists Erin Buckels, Paul Trapnell and Delroy Paulhus, «trolling correlated positively with sadism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism,» which are a part of the «Dark Tetard» of personality traits. (entrepreneur.com)
Destructiveness and violence can also be malignant, as in sadism. (religion-online.org)