Abstract
This paper
is an analysis of gender harassment as expressed through computer-mediated
communication as found in a recent incident wherein an internet celebrity
received vast social censure for non-adherence to normative gender behaviors.
First, a summary of the incident is provided, before continuing on to discuss
the culture of online communications, with specific focus given to the
historical audience of the medium, as well as perceived normative behaviors and
attitudes in this space. Then, the unique features of the medium that contributed
to this public outcry, anonymity and lack of social cues, are defined and
considered. The Social Identity Model of Deindividuation Effects (SIDE) is applied
to this incident as a possible explanation for the behavior of the individuals
involved in the mass movement to criticize the target. Lastly, suggestions on
how to prevent antisocial online behavior are presented and analyzed. This is a
second-source research paper with the primary sources of information originating
from the conclusions of experimental and theoretical research.
Beauty and the Geek: Gender Harassment and
Anti-Social Behavior in Online Spaces
In late 2013, a woman cut her hair, and various internet
community sites lit up with grief, disapproval, and condemnations. Felicia Day,
the woman who adopted the shorter locks, was shocked by the response. The creator
and producer of popular YouTube channel and geek culture community site, Geek
& Sundry, and an actress who has appeared widely in numerous science
fiction television shows, Day is no stranger to being in the public eye.
However, the tenor of the criticism for her choice alarmed her. “The ones that
confuse and hurt me the most are like this one I got last week: ‘Love your
videos, will be back when you grow your hair out.’” (Romano, 2014) An image was
created and circulated by anonymous users with the intent to show the grievousness
of choice she had made and distributed it through various websites with
captions like, “Felicia Day before and after. Which is better?” And “What
boyfriend allowed this kind of self-harm?” (Kurp, 2014) Day is not the first to
experience gender harassment through the internet. The New York Times reported
on several other cases where women were harassed online for defying gender
norms on the internet (O’Leary, 2012). In all cases, messages of condemnation were
exclusively conveyed through geek and gamer internet bulletin boards, forums,
and YouTube comments. In this paper, I will attempt to explain the
proliferation of gender harassment online as a result of the Social Identity
Model of Deindividuation Effects (SIDE), as well as the anonymity and lack of
social context afforded by computer-mediated mediums.
Before analyzing and applying explanations to this behavior, it
is important to look at the cultural and historical context of gender
harassment online. The internet has traditionally been an environment that
assumes traits of maleness. This includes admiration of aggressive
communications and the reverence of anti-female attitudes and behaviors (Barak,
2005). Additionally, studies have shown that computer-mediated environments
reproduce and reinforce existing social boundaries found in the real world
(Postmes, Spears, Lea, 1998). This results in an environment that is
potentially hostile toward a female presence, especially ones that violate
traditional gender norms, and may engage in gender harassment in response. Ritter
defines gender harassment as “misogynist behaviors that are insulting, hostile,
or degrading towards women” (2013, p. 198) and is characterized by verbal or
visual abusive assertions due to perceived gender (Barak, 2005). Research has
corroborated these expectations—women experience extensive harassment on the
internet, including gender harassment, conveyed through blogs, comments,
videos, and images distributed through various websites. (Barak, 2005). In such
a climate, an internet personality such as Day can expect to encounter
significant persecution for non-adherence to predefined gender norms. That
said, the reaction is only facilitated and made salient by the nature of the
medium itself.
One of the primary attributes of computer-mediated
communications is actual or perceived anonymity. Users have the option of
removing part of all identifying information about themselves from messages or
content they post on websites. Initially, it was presumed that this would have
a democratizing effect on the web—with no cues or ties to a person’s identity,
communities would be formed of previously unassociated groups and equality
would be promoted (Kiesler, Siegel, McGuire, 1984). Ironically, however, the
opposite was found to be true, and, in fact, is theorized to be associated with
an increase in discrimination (Postmes, Spears, Lea, 1998). Research shows that
people using computer-mediated communication engage in more insulting and
harmful behavior, including name calling and hostile comments (Kiesler, Siegel,
McGuire, 1984). Inability to be identified can instead remove threat of penalty
or retaliation for acting aggressively against others (Hardaker, 2010). This is
certainly true in the case of Day—the sense of anonymity allowed criticizers to
comment freely about their feelings about her haircut, and non-adherence to
gender stereotypes. Those with the intent to insult or harm were not concerned
that they would be caught or punished for such behavior, as there would be no
way to identify offenders. Thus their declarations were unhindered from
becoming more malicious.
Lack of social cues are a second important facet to consider
when analyzing the computer-mediated communication of outrage levied at Day. Behaviors
found in face-to-face communication such as eye-contact, facial expressions, and
physical distance, help interlocutors understand each other and mediate
misunderstandings (Kiesler, Siegel, McGuire, 1984). Online communication has no
direct corollary for these cues, and thus results in a decrease of awareness of
social norms of appropriateness (Postmes, Spears, Lea, 1998). Individuals who
engage in criticisms of others online may be unaware of or underestimate the
effect their comments have on their targets, and therefore may not moderate
their communication to preserve the feelings of the target. In addition, negative
comments are often perceived as more harmful by receivers of the communication.
A study by Biber et al. in 2002 (as cited in Ritter, 2013) found that gender
harassing behaviors such as insulting comments about style choices were
perceived as more offensive when issued through online communications than when
conveyed in-person. This aspect of computer-mediated communication can be
helpful in understanding the reaction to Day. Some of those who wished to
express an opinion of the stylistic change may have been unaware to how such
comments would be perceived. Additionally, as social cues are reduced in online
communication, individuals may not have been aware of the inappropriateness of
their commentary. Whereas in the real-world, there can be no mistake about the
suitability of unsolicited criticisms of stylistic choice, the unclear nature
of the internet does not readily lend itself to such distinctions. People often
see fit to gossip about the fashion choices of celebrities, especially women,
and it follows that the same would occur in online spaces. However, the manner
in which this occurred in reaction to Day exceeded the bounds of propriety and
ventured into the realm of unadulterated vitriol.
Lastly, the Social Identity Model of Deindividuation Effects
(SIDE) can be used to explain why criticism of Day’s hair became so prevalent
on so many sites. SIDE builds on the concept of anonymity and the effect of it
on identity when in in a crowd setting. When a person is an anonymous member of
a larger group, SIDE predicts a loss of cognizance of individual identity. When
this occurs, awareness of social norms, and consequences are unintentionally
set aside in favor of the perceived goals and norms of the group and the individual
identity is replaced with a social identity. (Postmes, Spears, Lea, 1998).
Reicher (as cited in Barak, 2005) applies this theory to online interactions,
“People in cyberspace may incline under certain circumstances to follow group
standards of behavior, rather than using their own standards; in other words, a
social or group identity (and expressed norms of behavior) may replace an
individual identity.” When this occurs in a space typically characterized by
anti-women attitudes and promotion of aggressive communication, those affected
by the SIDE processes may follow typical male-dominating behavior (Barak, 2005,
p. 82). This can be used to describe what occurs when there a group, in this
case male consumers of geek media, perceives a threat to their expected norms
of female behavior. The goals and norms of the group usurp those of the
individual, and declarations are made in support of these norms.
There have been various theories and suggestions on how to
mitigate the effects of anonymity, reduced social cues, and SIDE effects. Some
encourage an elimination on online anonymity entirely (Ritter, 2014). By
requiring all online identities to correspond with the real-world counterpart,
consequences become salient, and people will find it necessary to moderate
their actions to avoid punishment for offensive behavior. That said, anonymity
also affords protection to whistleblowers and users with fringe opinions who
wish to express their opinions without possible danger to their person. To
eliminate anonymity also destroys the ability to express these views which need
to be protected. A second option is an educational one. By publishing guides,
reports, recommendations, and codes of conduct in prominent locations on
community sites, users may be made aware of the possible negative results of
antisocial online behavior. However, those who are inclined toward gender
harassment generally do so only because the online environment affords them the
opportunity to do so, not because they are unaware of the possible harm that
such insistences could have on others. (Barak, 2005). It is not the lack of
information, so much as the attitudes that are the major problem of online
gender harassment. In fact, such attitudes are just as prevalent in the
real-world as well, but are frequently mitigated by apparent social cues or the
absence of membership of anonymous group. Since anonymous computer-mediated
communication is already socially conservative, in cases where clear norms of a
group identity are available it is easy to reinforce group membership though
the acting upon these norms (Postmes, Spears, Lea, 1998). Therefore, I propose
a cultural solution. Through the promotion of different norms, such as a
positive view of all genders, it is possible to change the attitudes that are
the root of these issues. This is already being pursued by various geek and
gamer institutions who are changing policies to punish misogynistic behaviors,
and officially promoting ideas of tolerance (O’Leary, 2012). However, such an ideology
shift can also be applied to the medium of computer-mediated communication.
Cultivating and advocating new internet norms, such as that of responsible
online discourse and constructive exchange of opinions, could foster a more conscientious
community.
When Felicia Day cut her hair, she did not expect the outpouring
of hostility at this seemingly innocuous act. However, the online environment
contains many features which would indicate this outcome. As a socially
conservative and culturally male space, users will generally have an
expectation and dedication to traditional gender normative behavior. As a
computer-mediated communication method, features of the medium such as
anonymity and lack of social cues will facilitate antisocial behavior through
the increase in hostile language without recourse. Lastly, SIDE can be used to
explain the mass social condemnation of her act, as members of the geek and
gamer community sites replaced their individual identities with those of the
socially conservative group found in the online space. Several solutions to
this antisocial behavior have been suggested, such as removal of anonymous
posting capability and education of appropriate behavior. However, I contend
that the best course of action is to change the online practice and to
encourage a culture of responsible online behavior. To encourage users to
maintain individual identity rather than getting caught up in the mob-mentality
of the public censure. To promote traits like objective analysis, civilized
discourse, and mindful deliberation. Perhaps then, we will have more
constructive responses to incidents like experienced by Day, like those expressed
Kotaku commenter Jens Wessling in regards to news of the mass denunciation, “I've
gone back and looked at pictures of you with short hair and pictures of you
with long hair, and after considerable consideration, I think you are funny and
talented” (Hernandez, 2014).
References
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