An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Identity in the Therian Community

Datos Bibliográficos

ID18947802
AutoresTimothy Grivell (University of Northampton), Helen Clegg (0000-0001-6372-2471, University of Northampton, autor de correspondencia), Elizabeth C Roxburgh (0000-0002-8086-9501, University of Northampton)
Año2014
Volumen14
Número2
Páginas113-135
Fecha de publicación2014-04-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaIdentity (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1528-3488 • E-ISSN: 1532-706X
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/15283488.2014.891999
OpenAlexW2003397868
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas4
Referencias citadas37

Therianthropy is the belief that one is part nonhuman animal. Opinions vary in the academic literature as to whether it is a mental illness or a spiritual belief. Although believed to be rare in the Western world, the development of a Western online community of therians who largely have not come to the attention of the academic community suggests that it is not well understood. In this study, five therians were interviewed about how the adoption of the term therian impacts their identity. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, three themes emerged: (a) a journey of self-discovery, (b) transpeciesism, and (c) the therian shadow. The personal discovery and acceptance of therianthropy appears to be a gradual development process. Strong parallels were made to transgenderism. A desire for public acceptance was expressed by the respondents

Interpretative phenomenological analysis · Parallels · Psychoanalysis · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior · Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs · Philosophy · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Social Psychology