Fictosexuality, Fictoromance, and Fictophilia: A Qualitative Study of Love and Desire for Fictional Characters
Fictosexuality, fictoromance, and fictophilia are terms that have recently become popular in online environments as indicators of strong and lasting feelings of love, infatuation, or desire for one or more fictional characters. This article explores the phenomenon by qualitative thematic analysis of...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.575427/full |
| _version_ | 1818666191740207104 |
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| author | Veli-Matti Karhulahti Veli-Matti Karhulahti Tanja Välisalo |
| author_facet | Veli-Matti Karhulahti Veli-Matti Karhulahti Tanja Välisalo |
| author_sort | Veli-Matti Karhulahti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Fictosexuality, fictoromance, and fictophilia are terms that have recently become popular in online environments as indicators of strong and lasting feelings of love, infatuation, or desire for one or more fictional characters. This article explores the phenomenon by qualitative thematic analysis of 71 relevant online discussions. Five central themes emerge from the data: (1) fictophilic paradox, (2) fictophilic stigma, (3) fictophilic behaviors, (4) fictophilic asexuality, and (5) fictophilic supernormal stimuli. The findings are further discussed and ultimately compared to the long-term debates on human sexuality in relation to fictional characters in Japanese media psychology. Contexts for future conversation and research are suggested. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T06:00:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d8de50fc77b14bb6a164d837c7080809 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T06:00:37Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-d8de50fc77b14bb6a164d837c70808092022-12-21T22:00:55ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782021-01-011110.3389/fpsyg.2020.575427575427Fictosexuality, Fictoromance, and Fictophilia: A Qualitative Study of Love and Desire for Fictional CharactersVeli-Matti Karhulahti0Veli-Matti Karhulahti1Tanja Välisalo2Contemporary Culture Studies, Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies, University of Jyvaskyla, Jyväskylä, FinlandDepartment of Media Studies, School of History, Culture and Arts Studies, University of Turku, Turku, FinlandContemporary Culture Studies, Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies, University of Jyvaskyla, Jyväskylä, FinlandFictosexuality, fictoromance, and fictophilia are terms that have recently become popular in online environments as indicators of strong and lasting feelings of love, infatuation, or desire for one or more fictional characters. This article explores the phenomenon by qualitative thematic analysis of 71 relevant online discussions. Five central themes emerge from the data: (1) fictophilic paradox, (2) fictophilic stigma, (3) fictophilic behaviors, (4) fictophilic asexuality, and (5) fictophilic supernormal stimuli. The findings are further discussed and ultimately compared to the long-term debates on human sexuality in relation to fictional characters in Japanese media psychology. Contexts for future conversation and research are suggested.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.575427/fullfictophiliafictional characterparasocial relationshipssexualitymedia |
| spellingShingle | Veli-Matti Karhulahti Veli-Matti Karhulahti Tanja Välisalo Fictosexuality, Fictoromance, and Fictophilia: A Qualitative Study of Love and Desire for Fictional Characters Frontiers in Psychology fictophilia fictional character parasocial relationships sexuality media |
| title | Fictosexuality, Fictoromance, and Fictophilia: A Qualitative Study of Love and Desire for Fictional Characters |
| title_full | Fictosexuality, Fictoromance, and Fictophilia: A Qualitative Study of Love and Desire for Fictional Characters |
| title_fullStr | Fictosexuality, Fictoromance, and Fictophilia: A Qualitative Study of Love and Desire for Fictional Characters |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fictosexuality, Fictoromance, and Fictophilia: A Qualitative Study of Love and Desire for Fictional Characters |
| title_short | Fictosexuality, Fictoromance, and Fictophilia: A Qualitative Study of Love and Desire for Fictional Characters |
| title_sort | fictosexuality fictoromance and fictophilia a qualitative study of love and desire for fictional characters |
| topic | fictophilia fictional character parasocial relationships sexuality media |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.575427/full |
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