Masculinity Threat, “Incel” Traits, and Violent Fantasies Among Heterosexual Men in the United States

Bibliographic Data

ID12809751
AuthorsMaria N Scaptura (0000-0001-6533-2784, Virginia Tech), Kaitlin M Boyle (0000-0002-9994-6730, University of South Carolina, corresponding author)
Year2019
Volume15
Issue3
Pages278-298
Publication date2019-12-25
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFeminist Criminology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1557-0851 • E-ISSN: 1557-086X
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1557085119896415
OpenAlexW2998527365
LanguageEN
Citations received72
References cited52

The current study aims to shed light on how masculinity threat and challenges from women translate into fantasies of mass and gender-based violence. These attitudes are evident among some self-proclaimed “incels,” who blame social liberalism, feminism, and sexually active men for their rejection from women. We developed a measure of “incel” traits, which was administered in an online self-report survey of 18- to 30-year-old heterosexual men in the United States. As hypothesized, stress in one’s inability to live up to norms of masculinity and endorsement of “incel” traits are associated with violent fantasies about rape and using powerful weapons against enemies

Blame · Feminism · Masculinity · Poison control · Sociology · Suicide prevention · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · Gender Studies · Gender, Feminism, and Media · Medicine · Psychology · Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies · Social Psychology