Involuntary Celibate: Creating a Coding System for Incels Online
Disciplines
Gender and Sexuality | Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication | Sociology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
“Involuntary Celibate” or “incel” has become an increasingly prevalent term used to describe an internet subculture primarily consisting of heterosexual men that is often a source of intense misogyny. “Incels” are but one of many men-focused internet subcultures and as these communities continue to grow, more research is needed to understand these communities. The purpose of this study was to investigate and code the language and behaviors of particular users who post on the most popular “incel” forum incels.co, especially as it pertains to the connection between homophobia and misogyny. This research was informed by prior research on male-focused online communities and the relationships between masculine homophobia and misogyny. Data for this study consisted of individual forum posts with responses pulled randomly from those posted to incels.co from January 1, 2020, to January 7, 2020. From these individual posts, comments, usernames, avatars, and linked images were analyzed to inform the coding. This coding system will allow for further in-depth research into both “incel” communities and may further inform research on male-focused online communities as it relates to misogyny.
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Dr. Daniel Farr
Involuntary Celibate: Creating a Coding System for Incels Online
“Involuntary Celibate” or “incel” has become an increasingly prevalent term used to describe an internet subculture primarily consisting of heterosexual men that is often a source of intense misogyny. “Incels” are but one of many men-focused internet subcultures and as these communities continue to grow, more research is needed to understand these communities. The purpose of this study was to investigate and code the language and behaviors of particular users who post on the most popular “incel” forum incels.co, especially as it pertains to the connection between homophobia and misogyny. This research was informed by prior research on male-focused online communities and the relationships between masculine homophobia and misogyny. Data for this study consisted of individual forum posts with responses pulled randomly from those posted to incels.co from January 1, 2020, to January 7, 2020. From these individual posts, comments, usernames, avatars, and linked images were analyzed to inform the coding. This coding system will allow for further in-depth research into both “incel” communities and may further inform research on male-focused online communities as it relates to misogyny.