It's really more of a topic for Sociology than Psychology, although both are interesting. Wikipedia (and really, almost all Wikis) is a grand experiment in an informal sort of Consensus Process, which has been around in some form for over 40 years. It's also been the staple of various peace and justice movements in terms of direct action and protest.
It's also, historically, one the foundations of classic Anarchism. I find this hilarious, since the Wikipedia talk page for the article on Anarchism is one of the most toxic and contentious bits of trollery I've ever laid eyes on here. That's beside the point, but funny to me nonetheless.
What's more interesting to me is how Wikipedia pretty much "works", rather than the bits that don't work. For the most part, the Wikipedia community is friendly, harmonious and productive. It's just that the working part of it doesn't get as much attention from within the community because it's not a problem to be fixed.
I like the article on extroverts and attention seekers that Luna brought up, but it doesn't really address certain cultural factors. The current veneration of celebrities in general, is almost a world-wide phenomenon now. Many people hold the view that any celebrity is good, and that celebrities are to be envied wholesale. That makes Wikipedia a target for anyone wanting their "one minute of fame".
I honestly believe that most vandals come here expecting to get into the news the next day, because Wikipedia has become so high profile. It's the folks who come here sub-consciously craving negative attention that are the real problem. Those are people who are typically very wounded, and there is definitely some Psychology working there.
Nina
On 1/10/07, Steve Summit scs@eskimo.com wrote:
Christopher Thieme wrote:
Something like that would probably explain a lot about the bitterness, control issues, the incessant desire to be "right", etc. that some
people
have when approaching the subject of editing.
<Will Smith voice>You think?</>
Just last night I was writing about one (less than psychotic) aspect of this; see [[Wikipedia talk:Requests for comment/StuRat 2#Not-so- Outside Comment by Steve Summit]], and search down for "Wikipedia (like any open, on-line forum) attracts some fiercely stubborn and independent people".
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