Journal article 642 views 63 downloads
The Mating Psychology of Incels (Involuntary Celibates): Misfortunes, Misperceptions, and Misrepresentations
William Costello 
,
Vania Rolon ,
Andrew Thomas ,
David P. Schmitt
,
Vania Rolon ,
Andrew Thomas ,
David P. Schmitt
The Journal of Sex Research, Volume: 61, Issue: 7, Pages: 989 - 1000
Swansea University Author:
Andrew Thomas
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DOI (Published version): 10.1080/00224499.2023.2248096
Abstract
Mating represents a suite of fundamental adaptive problems for humans. Yet a community of men, called incels (involuntary celibates), forge their identity around their perceived inability to solve these problems. Many incels engage in misogynistic online hostility, and there are concerns about viole...
| Published in: | The Journal of Sex Research |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0022-4499 1559-8519 |
| Published: |
Informa UK Limited
2024
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa64509 |
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| Abstract: |
Mating represents a suite of fundamental adaptive problems for humans. Yet a community of men, called incels (involuntary celibates), forge their identity around their perceived inability to solve these problems. Many incels engage in misogynistic online hostility, and there are concerns about violence stemming from the community. Despite significant media speculation about the potential mating psychology of incels, this has yet to be formally investigated in the scientific literature. In the first formal investigation of incel mating psychology, we compared a sample (n = 151) of self-identified male incels with non-incel single males (n = 149). Findings revealed that incels have a lower sense of self-perceived mate-value and a greater external locus of control regarding their singlehood. Contrary to mainstream media narratives, incels also reported lower minimum standards for mate preferences than non-incels. Incels (and non-incel single men) significantly overestimated the importance of physical attractiveness and financial prospects to women, and underestimated the importance of intelligence, kindness, and humor. Furthermore, incels underestimated women’s overall minimum mate preference standards. Our findings suggest that incels should be targeted for interventions to challenge cognitive distortions around female mate preferences. Implications for incels’ mental health and misogynistic attitudes are discussed, as well as directions for future research. |
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| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |
| Issue: |
7 |
| Start Page: |
989 |
| End Page: |
1000 |