They spend 40+ hours a week enforcing rules in communities they don't own, for people who mostly hate them, without pay. When they screw up, they're publicly crucified. When they do well, no one notices.
Why would anyone do this?
Personality psychology has the answer. Reddit moderation attracts specific Enneagram types whose core psychological needs get met by the role, even when that role is objectively thankless.
This pattern extends beyond Reddit. Wikipedia’s tireless editors. Discord server admins. Forum moderators. Anywhere online spaces need governing, a tiny percentage of users volunteer massive amounts of unpaid labor to maintain order.
The question isn’t whether these people are “power-tripping.” The question is: what psychological need compels someone to do this work for free?
The Internet Governance Personality Map
| Type | Role | Core Drive | What They Fix | Shadow Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | The Perfectionist | Correct wrongness | Rule violations | Rigid authoritarianism |
| Type 5 | The Systems Builder | Understand & organize | Inefficient processes | Disconnection from community |
| Type 6 | The Protector | Secure the community | Threats & bad actors | Paranoid overreach |
| Type 8 | The Sheriff | Confront wrongdoers | Trolls & harassers | Excessive force |
Before we decode each type, let’s acknowledge what critics get right.
What the Critics Get Right (And Wrong)
If you’ve ever had a post removed for a technicality, been banned without explanation, or watched a mod go on a power trip, your frustration is valid. The legitimate complaints are real.
The power without accountability problem: Reddit mods have enormous power over communities they don’t own. They can ban users, remove content, and shape discourse with zero oversight. Unlike elected officials or paid employees, there’s no performance review, no appeals process that works, and no consequences for abuse.
The inconsistent enforcement: “Rule 4 violation” on one post gets removed; an identical post stays up because the mod didn’t see it or likes that user. Type 1 mods claim to want consistency, but human moderation is inherently inconsistent.
The echo chamber creation: Mods shape communities in their image. Type 1 mods enforce their definition of “quality.” Type 6 mods remove anyone they perceive as a threat. The result: communities become echo chambers that reflect mod psychology, not community desire.
The “touch grass” criticism: Many power mods moderate dozens of subreddits simultaneously. The 2023 Reddit blackout revealed that a tiny number of users controlled massive portions of the site. That concentration of unpaid labor in specific personality types creates systemic vulnerability.
But here’s what the critics miss: understanding mod psychology doesn’t excuse abuse. It explains it. And explanation is the first step toward better systems.
The mods who do this work aren’t evil. They’re meeting psychological needs in ways that sometimes harm others. Recognizing the pattern helps everyone.
The Psychology of Online Governance
Why Type 1s Dominate
Type 1s are called “The Perfectionist” because their core drive is to correct what’s wrong and uphold what’s right. They have strong internal standards and feel genuine discomfort when those standards are violated.
Why moderation attracts Type 1s:
| Type 1 Need | How Moderation Satisfies It |
|---|---|
| Fix wrongness | Remove rule-breaking content |
| Uphold standards | Enforce community guidelines |
| Create order | Structure chaotic spaces |
| Moral purpose | Protect community from harm |
| Control environment | Shape community culture |
A Type 1 can’t scroll past a rule violation without feeling compelled to act. The wrongness sits there, bothering them, until it’s corrected. Moderation gives them the tools to fix what’s wrong.
The Internal Experience
What others see: Power-tripping mod who removes posts for minor violations.
What the Type 1 mod experiences: “This clearly violates rule 3. It’s wrong. I have to fix it. If I don’t, the community degrades. Standards matter. Rules exist for reasons.”
Type 1 mods aren’t cruel. They’re principled. The problem is that their principles may be stricter than the community wants, and their correction impulse can override relationship concerns.
Other Types Who Moderate
Type 6: The Community Protector
Type 6s moderate to protect their communities from threats.
Why Type 6s moderate:
- Scanning for danger is their default mode
- Community protection satisfies security needs
- Moderation allows threat identification and neutralization
- In-group loyalty drives defensive action
Type 6 mod behavior:
- Hypervigilant about trolls and bad actors
- Quick to identify “sus” users
- May be paranoid about coordinated attacks
- Builds relationships with trusted community members
- Maintains mental lists of problematic users
Type 6 mods focus less on rule enforcement and more on threat assessment. They’re asking “is this person dangerous?” rather than “did this violate rule 4?”
Type 5: The Systems Builder
Type 5s moderate because they enjoy building efficient systems.
Why Type 5s moderate:
- AutoMod configuration is intellectually satisfying
- Creating rule systems scratches analytical itch
- Understanding community behavior is interesting data
- Backend work doesn’t require constant interaction
Type 5 mod behavior:
- Creates elaborate AutoMod rules
- Documents everything meticulously
- Prefers backend work to user interaction
- May disappear for periods then return with system improvements
- Frustrated when emotional issues override logical solutions
Type 5 mods are the invisible infrastructure builders. They’re less interested in individual moderation decisions and more interested in systems that make moderation unnecessary.
Type 8: The Sheriff
Type 8s moderate because they enjoy exercising power against wrongdoers.
Why Type 8s moderate:
- Can confront and remove bad actors directly
- Power to protect community is satisfying
- Enjoys the confrontational aspects
- Won’t be bullied by trolls
Type 8 mod behavior:
- Direct and forceful in enforcement
- May be accused of being too harsh
- Enjoys banning trolls
- Defends decisions without apologizing
- Takes personal responsibility for community protection
Type 8 mods are the enforcers. They’re less interested in rules for rules’ sake and more interested in protecting the community from people who deserve removal.
The Wikipedia Parallel: Same Psychology, Different Platform
Reddit mods aren’t unique. The same personality patterns govern Wikipedia, arguably the internet’s most successful governance experiment.
The 1% Who Build the Encyclopedia
Wikipedia has a stunning statistic: less than 1% of visitors ever edit anything.
Of those who do edit, an even smaller fraction, the “power editors,” contribute the vast majority of content and corrections. These aren’t random people. They’re specific personality types with specific motivations:
| Editor Type | Enneagram | Motivation | What They Do |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Corrector | Type 1 | “This is wrong. I must fix it.” | Fixes errors, enforces citation standards, reverts vandalism |
| The Cataloguer | Type 5 | “I want to document everything about this topic.” | Writes comprehensive articles, organizes categories, builds reference systems |
| The Guardian | Type 6 | “This information could mislead people.” | Monitors controversial pages, flags misinformation, protects article integrity |
Type 1 Wikipedia Editors: The Correction Compulsion
Type 1 Wikipedia editors can’t read an article with a typo without fixing it. They see a “citation needed” tag and feel genuine discomfort until they’ve sourced it.
The Type 1 Wikipedia experience: “I just came here to look something up. Three hours later, I’ve corrected 47 articles and started an edit war about comma usage.”
Their motivation is moral. Wrong information is wrong. Leaving errors is irresponsible. Standards exist for reasons.
This is identical to Type 1 Reddit mods who can’t scroll past a rule violation. Different platform, same psychology.
Type 5 Wikipedia Editors: The Knowledge Architects
Type 5s are drawn to Wikipedia for different reasons. They don’t care about correcting errors. They care about comprehensive understanding.
A Type 5 Wikipedia editor will spend months writing the definitive article on an obscure topic. Not because it’s wrong, but because it’s incomplete. Their motivation is intellectual, not moral.
Type 5 Wikipedia behavior:
- Creates elaborate article structures
- Obsesses over categorization systems
- May know more about Wikipedia’s backend than most employees
- Derives satisfaction from building, not correcting
On Reddit, these are the mods who create elaborate AutoMod configurations and never interact with users directly. Same type, same behavior, different platform.
Why This Pattern Matters
The Wikipedia parallel reveals something important: the internet is governed by personality type, not democracy.
Wikipedia isn’t maintained by “the crowd.” It’s maintained by a tiny number of Type 1s and Type 5s who can’t stop themselves from doing the work. Reddit isn’t moderated by “the community.” It’s moderated by Type 1s, 5s, 6s, and 8s whose psychological needs are met by the role.
This isn’t good or bad. It’s reality. And understanding it helps explain:
- Why certain platforms feel “strict” (Type 1 dominated)
- Why certain communities feel “paranoid” (Type 6 dominated)
- Why certain forums have elaborate systems but cold atmospheres (Type 5 dominated)
- Why certain spaces feel confrontational (Type 8 dominated)
The personality of the governors becomes the personality of the governed.
The Mod Conflict Pattern
Understanding mod conflicts requires understanding type dynamics. Most mod drama isn’t about the issue. It’s about clashing psychological approaches.
Type 1 vs Type 8: Process vs. Instinct
When Type 1 and Type 8 mods work together, conflict is predictable:
Type 1: “We need to follow the rules as written. User X violated rule 3.2.1, subsection B.”
Type 8: “User X is clearly a problem. Ban them. Why are we debating this?”
Type 1: “Because rules provide consistency and fairness.”
Type 8: “Rules are guidelines. Use judgment.”
Both want the same outcome (remove bad actor) but disagree on methodology (process vs. instinct).
Real pattern: In subreddits with Type 1 head mods and Type 8 enforcers, you’ll see elaborate rule systems that the Type 8s ignore in practice. The Type 1 creates 47 rules; the Type 8 bans people based on vibes.
Type 6 vs Type 5: Intuition vs. Evidence
Type 6: “I’m concerned about this coordinated brigade from another subreddit.”
Type 5: “The data doesn’t support that conclusion. These are organic users with similar interests.”
Type 6: “Something feels wrong.”
Type 5: “Feelings aren’t data.”
Type 6 operates on intuitive threat detection. Type 5 requires evidence. Both approaches have value. But they frustrate each other constantly.
The 2023 Reddit Blackout: Type Psychology in Action
The 2023 API pricing protest revealed mod psychology at scale:
| Response | Likely Type | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| “We must protest on principle” | Type 1 | Reddit violated the implicit social contract. Wrongness must be opposed. |
| “This threatens our community’s existence” | Type 6 | Third-party apps = security. Losing them = vulnerability. |
| “Let me analyze the actual API costs” | Type 5 | The numbers don’t add up. Let me prove it systematically. |
| “Reddit is bullying us. Fight back.” | Type 8 | Direct confrontation against perceived injustice. |
The blackout showed how quickly mod communities organize when their psychological needs are threatened. Type 1s couldn’t accept the “wrongness” of the policy. Type 6s felt their security tools under attack. Type 8s wanted direct confrontation.
The mods who didn’t participate? Often Type 9s who avoid conflict. Or burned-out mods who’d already disengaged.
When Mod Teams Implode: A Pattern
Most mod team collapses follow a predictable pattern:
Stage 1: Honeymoon - Different types complement each other. Type 1 creates rules, Type 5 builds systems, Type 6 watches for threats, Type 8 enforces.
Stage 2: Friction - Types start clashing. The Type 1 thinks the Type 8 is too harsh. The Type 5 thinks the Type 6 is paranoid. Small disagreements accumulate.
Stage 3: Factions - Mods align by type. “Process people” (1s and 5s) vs. “Action people” (6s and 8s). Communication breaks down.
Stage 4: Trigger Event - A controversial moderation decision forces everyone to take sides. Type differences that were manageable become dealbreakers.
Stage 5: Purge or Exodus - Someone leaves (or is removed). The team reconstitutes with less type diversity. Community suffers.
Why Reddit Specifically
Platform Psychology
Reddit’s structure attracts certain moderator types:
- Subreddit autonomy appeals to Type 1’s desire to create their own ordered space
- Rule customization satisfies Type 1’s need for clear standards
- Voting system provides Type 5-friendly data on community preferences
- Anonymous accounts allow Type 5s to participate without personal exposure
- Community focus satisfies Type 6’s need for in-group belonging
- Confrontation tools enable Type 8’s direct enforcement style
The Community Ownership Illusion
Reddit mods don’t own their communities. But the platform creates psychological ownership through:
- Time investment: 40+ unpaid hours creates commitment
- Identity merger: “My subreddit” language becomes natural
- Status: “Top mod” hierarchy creates stakes
- Control: Ability to shape community culture feels like ownership
This illusory ownership explains why mods fight so hard over control. They’ve psychologically invested as if it were real property.
The Moderator Burnout Cycle
Every mod burns out eventually. But how they burn out depends on type.
The Five Stages of Mod Burnout
| Stage | Experience | Warning Signs |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Enthusiasm | “I can fix this!” Every removed post feels satisfying. | Over-commitment, checking mod queue constantly |
| 2. Escalation | The wrongness never ends. Every fix reveals more problems. | Increasing time investment, declining other activities |
| 3. Conflict | Users push back. Other mods disagree. No appreciation. | Defensive responses, “nobody understands” mentality |
| 4. Siege Mentality | Users are the enemy. Only I truly understand. | Isolation from mod team, increasingly harsh enforcement |
| 5. Burnout/Explosion | Quiet exit or public meltdown. | Abandonment or community destruction |
Burnout Triggers by Type
Each type has specific burnout triggers:
| Type | What Triggers Burnout | Internal Experience | Exit Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | Imperfection is endless; can never “finish” | “No matter how much I fix, it’s never good enough” | Quiet resignation with moral disappointment |
| Type 5 | Emotional demands exceed systematic solutions | “People won’t follow the systems I built” | Withdraws to backend, eventually disappears |
| Type 6 | Threats feel overwhelming; can’t protect everyone | “I’m failing to keep the community safe” | Becomes paranoid, then burns out from anxiety |
| Type 8 | Constant pushback exhausts confrontational energy | “I’m tired of fighting everyone” | Explosive exit, may burn bridges |
Why Type 1s Burn Out Fastest
Type 1s burn out fastest because their psychology creates an impossible loop:
- They see wrongness everywhere
- They feel compelled to fix it
- Fixing one thing reveals more wrongness
- Their internal critic says they’re failing
- External criticism confirms the internal critic
- The wrongness becomes overwhelming
- They either quit or become the rigid authoritarian everyone fears
The Type 1 mod trap: “If I just work harder, I can make this community perfect.” Spoiler: you can’t.
A Type 8 mod can accept some rule-breaking as inevitable. A Type 5 can detach emotionally from outcomes. A Type 6 can focus on protecting key community members.
A Type 1 sees every violation as personal failure. And to a Type 1, personal failure is intolerable.
The “Power-Tripping Mod” Phenomenon
What Users See
Perception: Mod removes post for minor violation, seems to enjoy power, won’t explain decision, appears authoritarian.
What’s Actually Happening
Type 1 mod: “The post violated the rules. Rules exist for reasons. Consistency matters. If I let this slide, I have to let everything slide. Standards must be maintained.”
Type 6 mod: “This user has been borderline problematic for weeks. This post was the pattern confirmation. I’m protecting the community.”
Type 8 mod: “User was being a jerk. Removed. Move on. Why is everyone so upset?”
Type 5 mod: “The modlog shows this user has three prior warnings. Per our enforcement matrix, removal is correct.”
None of these mods are “power-tripping.” They’re applying their type’s psychology to moderation decisions. The appearance of power abuse is often just type mismatch. The mod’s logic doesn’t match the user’s expectations.
When It Actually Is Power-Tripping
Real mod abuse typically comes from:
- Type 8s who enjoy dominance for its own sake
- Type 1s whose perfectionism has become rigid authoritarianism
- Type 6s who’ve become paranoid and see all users as threats
- Any type experiencing the burnout cycle’s late stages
The difference? Healthy mods can explain their reasoning and change when wrong. Unhealthy mods cannot.
Healthy Moderation by Type
Each type has specific growth edges for sustainable moderation:
| Type | Unhealthy Pattern | Growth Edge | Practical Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | Must correct everything | Accept imperfection | Set “good enough” thresholds. Not every violation needs action. |
| Type 5 | Systems over people | Connect, don’t just systematize | Schedule regular user interaction. Emerge from backend monthly. |
| Type 6 | Everyone is a threat | Trust more | Most users aren’t threats. Create a “trusted user” mental category. |
| Type 8 | “Because I said so” | Explain your reasoning | 30 seconds of explanation prevents hours of drama. |
Type 1: Accept Imperfection
The hard truth: The community will never be perfect. Good enough is acceptable. Not every violation requires correction. Save energy for what actually matters.
Practical tip: Create a “let it go” rule. If a post is borderline, let it stay. Your mental health matters more than rule 4.2.1.
Type 5: Connect, Don’t Just Systematize
The hard truth: Systems can’t solve everything. Sometimes communities need human judgment, not better AutoMod configs.
Practical tip: Schedule one “community interaction” per week where you respond to users as a human, not a mod.
Type 6: Trust More
The hard truth: Most users aren’t threats. Your hypervigilance is exhausting you. Not every new account is a troll alt.
Practical tip: Create a mental “probation” category. New users get benefit of the doubt for 30 days before threat assessment kicks in.
Type 8: Explain Your Reasoning
The hard truth: “Because I said so” breeds resentment. Your instincts may be right, but unexplained decisions look like power abuse.
Practical tip: Create a template: “This was removed because [reason]. If you have questions, [modmail].” Takes 10 seconds, prevents hours of drama.
FAQs
Why do people become mods for free?
Psychological needs being met are valuable even without money. Type 1’s correction impulse, Type 6’s protection drive, Type 8’s power expression. Plus, moderation provides status, community, and sense of purpose. Same reason Wikipedia editors contribute millions of hours unpaid.
Are all Reddit mods Type 1s?
No, but Type 1s are overrepresented because the role satisfies their core psychology. Type 6s and Type 5s are also common. Type 8s moderate but often burn out or get accused of being too harsh. Type 9s occasionally moderate but tend to avoid the conflict inherent to the role.
Why do mod teams have so much drama?
Different types moderate for different reasons. Type 1s want rule enforcement. Type 6s want threat protection. Type 8s want direct action. Type 5s want systematic efficiency. These priorities conflict. The drama isn’t about the stated issue. It’s about clashing psychological frameworks.
How can communities get better moderation?
- Type-diverse mod teams - Don’t let one type dominate
- Clear escalation paths - So Type 1s don’t feel personally responsible for everything
- Defined boundaries - Hours per week, specific responsibilities
- Appreciation - Recognition that this is unpaid labor meeting psychological needs
- Burnout protocols - Mandatory breaks, rotation systems
Why is Wikipedia so strict about citations?
Wikipedia is governed primarily by Type 1s (correction compulsion) and Type 5s (comprehensive documentation). Both types value precision and verifiability. The strictness isn’t arbitrary. It reflects the psychological makeup of the people willing to do the work.
Should I become a moderator?
Ask yourself which psychological need it would serve:
| If You’re… | Expect… | Warning |
|---|---|---|
| Type 1 seeking perfection | Constant wrongness you can’t fully fix | Burnout from impossible standards |
| Type 5 seeking systems | Users who ignore your elegant solutions | Frustration with human irrationality |
| Type 6 seeking security | Endless potential threats | Paranoia and anxiety |
| Type 8 seeking confrontation | Constant pushback | Exhaustion from fighting everyone |
Moderation is most sustainable when you understand your type’s limits and build in safeguards.
Can understanding type psychology make me a better community member?
Yes. When you see a mod remove your post, ask: “What type of mod is this, and what need are they meeting?”
A Type 1 needs to see you acknowledge the rule. A Type 6 needs to see you’re not a threat. A Type 8 needs you to not challenge their authority directly. A Type 5 needs you to follow the system they built.
Understanding mod psychology doesn’t mean you have to accept bad moderation. But it helps you navigate it more effectively.
The Bigger Picture: Who Governs the Internet?
The internet pretends to be democratic. “Anyone can contribute to Wikipedia.” “Anyone can create a subreddit.” “The community decides.”
But the reality is oligarchy by personality type.
A tiny fraction of users, those whose psychological needs are met by governance roles, control the information architecture of the internet. Type 1s enforce standards. Type 5s build systems. Type 6s protect communities. Type 8s confront wrongdoers.
The rest of us just… use what they create.
This isn’t inherently bad. These types are often well-suited to governance. But it means:
- Platform culture reflects mod psychology. Strict platforms have Type 1 mods. Paranoid platforms have Type 6 mods.
- Blind spots are predictable. Type 1 mods miss nuance. Type 5 mods miss emotional needs. Type 6 mods miss false positives. Type 8 mods miss escalation points.
- Burnout is structural. The people willing to do this work are psychologically vulnerable to the work itself.
Understanding this helps everyone. Users, mods, and platform designers alike.
Your Internet Governance Personality
Here’s the uncomfortable question: which type are you in online spaces?
- Do you feel compelled to correct errors you see? (Type 1 energy)
- Do you build elaborate organizational systems for information? (Type 5 energy)
- Do you scan for threats and protect your communities? (Type 6 energy)
- Do you directly confront wrongdoers? (Type 8 energy)
- Do you avoid conflict and go along with community consensus? (Type 9 energy)
Your answer explains your relationship with the internet’s invisible governors. And maybe reveals whether you’re one of them.
Want to understand your own personality patterns? Take our Enneagram test to discover which type drives your behavior online and off.
Curious about personality dynamics in other contexts? Check out The Psychology of Twitter Toxicity or explore how different types become influencers.
Disclaimer: This analysis of moderator and editor personality types is observational and speculative, based on behavioral patterns rather than tested typing of specific individuals. The internet governance patterns described are generalizations that won’t apply to every moderator or community.