Fatalism, Evolution, and Interpersonal Attractiveness: Psychological Theories and Emotions in Incels' Constructions of Ingroup Identity and Outgroup Hate

Abstract

The online communities of involuntary celibates, or incels, have garnered increased attention for their extreme misogyny and links to violent attacks against women. However, little is known about how (pseudo-)psychological theories are used among the incel community to construct their identities and justify a worldview that centres on hatred against women. This study uses a critical discursive psychological approach to examine identity constructions in discussions on the so-called blackpill worldview within the online community incels.is. Our analysis of more than 1000 discussion threads written in 2020 reveals three distinct incel identities: incels as victimised martyrs, incels as aggrieved masculine actors, and a divided identity negotiating the boundaries of ‘pure’ and ‘impure’ inceldom. These identities are constructed through psychological notions, specifically, fatalism, ‘just-world’ beliefs, evolutionary psychology, eugenics and theories of interpersonal attraction—that serve as interpretative repertoires expressed through a plethora of rhetorical strategies and affective–discursive practices. The study highlights the importance of understanding how psychological concepts are appropriated in the construction of ingroup identities and justifications of outgroup hate within misogynist online communities.