Wikipedia:Wikipedian psychology

Wikipedian psychology is the psychology, mental functions and behavior, of Wikipedian participants and contributors. Wikipedian psychology is important to Wikipedia as it contributes to the quality of Wikipedia, and the environment of Wikipedia contributes to Wikipedian psychology.

It must be kept in mind however, that very few if any Wikipedians are truly qualified to consider or apply psychological studies or principals regarding Wikipedian psychology and, most importantly, that these are not applicable to individual Wikipedians, potential Wikipedians, or individual situations or events. Rather, Wikipedian psychology may be useful as trends and generalities which may be considered in relation to Wikipedia and Wikipedians as a whole.

Psychology of Wikipedians
Recent studies have found trends in the psychological characteristics of Wikipedia participants. One study found Wikipedians less agreeable, and less open-minded than non-Wikipedians with similar internet time-spent, according to the definition of those characteristics used by the study (Big five personality traits). This leads study conductors to hypothesize that the results occur because Wikipedia participants, rather than altruistically contributing without any financial reward, "are compensating. It is their way to have a voice in this world." This is consistent with previous research on internet users in general, presumably all compensating for real-world deficiencies, who are found to have, "higher levels of social anxiety and lower social skills." Study:. The use of the term "overcompensation" implies that Wikipedia use is not a healthy reaction or adjustment to social awkwardness or a neutral behavior, but rather an unhealthy activity which causes harm by failing to truly address a root cause, instead hiding it. A review by Psychology Today found the study self-contradictory and stated that the data of the study reports the opposite results.

Wikipedia on Psychology
Presumably no studies have been done on the effects of Wikipedia on psychology.