Incels, autism, and hopelessness: affective incorporation of online interaction as a challenge for phenomenological psychopathology
Recent research has drawn attention to the prevalence of self-reported autism within online communities of involuntary celibates (incels). These studies suggest that some individuals with autism may be particularly vulnerable to the impact of incel forums and the hopelessness they generate. However,...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1235929/full |
| _version_ | 1797402146226831360 |
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| author | Sanna K. Tirkkonen Daniel Vespermann |
| author_facet | Sanna K. Tirkkonen Daniel Vespermann |
| author_sort | Sanna K. Tirkkonen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Recent research has drawn attention to the prevalence of self-reported autism within online communities of involuntary celibates (incels). These studies suggest that some individuals with autism may be particularly vulnerable to the impact of incel forums and the hopelessness they generate. However, a more precise description of the experiential connection between inceldom, self-reported autism, and hopelessness has remained unarticulated. Therefore, this article combines empirical studies on the incel community with phenomenological and embodiment approaches to autism, hopelessness, and online affectivity. We analyze three interrelated aspects of online interactions in incel communities – worldview, bodily self-relation, and mutual dismissals – and examine how these elements contribute to the consolidation of the loss of significant life possibilities. By investigating the potential negative influence of specific online environments on affective dispositions, our approach contributes to the debate on current challenges to “situate” phenomenological psychopathology. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T02:20:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bd78eacaac814729810ceccee78f0421 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T02:20:10Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-bd78eacaac814729810ceccee78f04212023-12-06T17:44:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782023-12-011410.3389/fpsyg.2023.12359291235929Incels, autism, and hopelessness: affective incorporation of online interaction as a challenge for phenomenological psychopathologySanna K. Tirkkonen0Daniel Vespermann1Practical Philosophy, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FinlandSection of Phenomenological Psychopathology and Psychotherapy, Department of General Psychiatry, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, GermanyRecent research has drawn attention to the prevalence of self-reported autism within online communities of involuntary celibates (incels). These studies suggest that some individuals with autism may be particularly vulnerable to the impact of incel forums and the hopelessness they generate. However, a more precise description of the experiential connection between inceldom, self-reported autism, and hopelessness has remained unarticulated. Therefore, this article combines empirical studies on the incel community with phenomenological and embodiment approaches to autism, hopelessness, and online affectivity. We analyze three interrelated aspects of online interactions in incel communities – worldview, bodily self-relation, and mutual dismissals – and examine how these elements contribute to the consolidation of the loss of significant life possibilities. By investigating the potential negative influence of specific online environments on affective dispositions, our approach contributes to the debate on current challenges to “situate” phenomenological psychopathology.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1235929/fullincelsautismhopelessnessbody imageaffective scaffoldingonline affectivity |
| spellingShingle | Sanna K. Tirkkonen Daniel Vespermann Incels, autism, and hopelessness: affective incorporation of online interaction as a challenge for phenomenological psychopathology Frontiers in Psychology incels autism hopelessness body image affective scaffolding online affectivity |
| title | Incels, autism, and hopelessness: affective incorporation of online interaction as a challenge for phenomenological psychopathology |
| title_full | Incels, autism, and hopelessness: affective incorporation of online interaction as a challenge for phenomenological psychopathology |
| title_fullStr | Incels, autism, and hopelessness: affective incorporation of online interaction as a challenge for phenomenological psychopathology |
| title_full_unstemmed | Incels, autism, and hopelessness: affective incorporation of online interaction as a challenge for phenomenological psychopathology |
| title_short | Incels, autism, and hopelessness: affective incorporation of online interaction as a challenge for phenomenological psychopathology |
| title_sort | incels autism and hopelessness affective incorporation of online interaction as a challenge for phenomenological psychopathology |
| topic | incels autism hopelessness body image affective scaffolding online affectivity |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1235929/full |
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