(q) When is an SJW not an SJW?
(a) When they're virtual signalling.
According to researchers from the University of British Columbia, people who virtue signal may be more likely to be manipulators, narcissists, or psychopaths, than genuinely concerned about social issues. It's a tactic that's often used to draw attention to the signaller, rather than the cause.
Following the tests done in a series of studies, the authors said they showed how individuals with Dark Triad traits — Machiavellianism, Narcissism, and Psychopathy — were more frequently showing signs of virtue signaling. … While virtue signaling does have benefits such as raising awareness toward certain causes or holding people accountable, the authors warned that it can be used as a “tactic for self-advancement and goal pursuit.”
Kyle Schnitzer, If you do this, chances are you are either a narcissist, psychopath or manipulator, Ladders
Much of the virtual signalling on social media, and from Hollywoke, now makes a lot more sense. Particularly when the signallers themselves appear to be nothing more than egotistical, vicious, or hateful.
- Machiavellianism
- Manipulation and exploitation of others; absence of morality; unemotional callousness; a higher level of self-interest.
- Narcissism
- Grandiosity; pride; egotism; a lack of empathy.
- Psychopathy
- Continuous antisocial behaviour; impulsivity; selfishness; callous and unemotional traits; remorselessness.
Nothing moves fast in the world of science publishing. At least not if you select a publisher, in this case the American Psychological Association, that's more interested in the scientific merit of your work than your money.
Ok, E., Qian, Y., Strejcek, B., Aquino, K. (2021). Signaling virtuous victimhood as indicators of Dark Triad personalities. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 120:1634–1661. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000329