A Second Life: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Online Transgender Identity Formation
A Second Life: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Online Transgender Identity Formation
Social identity theory provides a robust account of group processes applicable across multiple contexts. Based on self-categorisation with typical members, group affiliation can offer protective influences. However, for those such as transgender individuals who feel marginalised and subject to prejudice and misunderstanding, finding identification with suitable group members who may not be directly accessible is problematic. In a digital world, technology offers opportunities to interact with similar others and gain support. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, this study seeks to understand the lived experience of being transgender and the potential of technology. Results suggest that initial confusion can be resolved online while seeking information and support from remote others, rather than retreating into defensive tribalism. More significantly, with authenticity comes a willingness to engage prosocially offline. Despite limitations, this critical interpretation of experience offers an extended view of social identity theory: cyber-technical systems allow the search for identification to extend spatially as well as temporally.
Manchester Metropolitan University, Business School
Pickering, Brian
225088d0-729e-4f17-afe2-1ad1193ccae6
18 August 2018
Pickering, Brian
225088d0-729e-4f17-afe2-1ad1193ccae6
Lowe, Robert
20b387b7-2500-457b-8484-a9e67605e713
Pickering, Brian
(2018)
A Second Life: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Online Transgender Identity Formation.
Manchester Metropolitan University, Masters Thesis, 49pp.
Record type:
Thesis
(Masters)
Abstract
Social identity theory provides a robust account of group processes applicable across multiple contexts. Based on self-categorisation with typical members, group affiliation can offer protective influences. However, for those such as transgender individuals who feel marginalised and subject to prejudice and misunderstanding, finding identification with suitable group members who may not be directly accessible is problematic. In a digital world, technology offers opportunities to interact with similar others and gain support. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, this study seeks to understand the lived experience of being transgender and the potential of technology. Results suggest that initial confusion can be resolved online while seeking information and support from remote others, rather than retreating into defensive tribalism. More significantly, with authenticity comes a willingness to engage prosocially offline. Despite limitations, this critical interpretation of experience offers an extended view of social identity theory: cyber-technical systems allow the search for identification to extend spatially as well as temporally.
Text
Brian Pickering accepted
- Version of Record
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Published date: 18 August 2018
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 429623
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/429623
PURE UUID: c8b0871a-4522-44cd-b3c2-cdf141889eca
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Date deposited: 02 Apr 2019 16:30
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 04:06
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Contributors
Thesis advisor:
Robert Lowe
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