Furry

In the present study we examined the fan category prototype and associations between prototypicality of a fan, normality of fan interests, and prejudice toward fan groups. Participants reported their stereotypical image of a fan, rated fan categories (i.e., sport, music, media, hobby) concerning prototypicality, normality, and societal status, and rated 40 different fan groups on prototypicality, normality, and feelings toward fans (i.e., prejudice). The results supported the notion that sport fan is the default association with the category " fan. " Ratings of specific fan groups showed a strong association between viewing fan groups as prototypical of the category fan, perceiving the fan interests as normal, and positive prejudice toward fans in those groups. Overall, the findings suggest deviation from the fan prototype is related to viewing the fan interest as abnormal, which, in turn, predicts negative prejudice toward fans.

In this study, we examined predictors of entitlement in three fan groups. Fan entitlement in the present research reflects a belief that one is deserving of special treatment or positive regard from others. Participants that self-identified as furry fans, anime fans, and fantasy sport fans completed measures concerning fan entitlement and four possible predictors of entitled attitude: fanship, time engaging in fan activity, social awkwardness with non-fans, and extraversion. The results showed that a greater amount of time engaged in the fan interest, social awkwardness, and extraversion predicted greater fan entitlement for members of each of the fan groups. Fans' degree of fanship predicted entitlement for anime and fantasy sport fans, but not furry fans. The results are discussed with respect to linkages with entitlement in other domains.

We examined several plausible motivators of fans in three different fandoms and the association of these motivators with fan group identification. Self-identified anime fans, furries, and fantasy sport fans completed measures of fanship (psychological connection with a fan interest), fandom (psychological connection with others sharing the same interest), and the factors motivating them to engage in fan activities (e.g., escapism, belongingness). The three fan groups differed in both mean ratings of fanship and fandom, and were driven by different motivations. Different motivations, in turn, were found to differently predict fanship and fandom. These results suggest that fan groups may differ not just in content, but on important psychological variables, including the motivation underlying fan participation.

We tested the veracity of existing stereotypes about anime fans. Self-identified anime fans, both convention-going and online, completed a survey which assessed demographic variables and measures of stereotype-consistent behaviors, attitudes, and physical appearance. Furry fans, fantasy sport fans, and a sample of undergraduate college students served as comparison groups. Of the 24 stereotypes tested in the present study, only nine showed evidence of being consistent with anime fans’ self-descriptions. These results reveal a significant discrepancy between non-fan perceptions of anime fans and the actual beliefs and behaviors of anime fans.

Furries report in qualitative and quantitative studies that they feel discriminated against by the general public, but there are no published empirical data to support these claims. In this study we surveyed (N = 118) fantasy sport fans online to quantify their assessments of three fan groups: furry, brony, and anime. Using 50 as a neutral point, fantasy sport fans were given a feeling thermometer test and asked to rate each fan group on a scale from 1 (extremely negative) to 100 (extremely positive). Participants who did not know what a furry, brony, or anime fan was were asked to write “NA” in the response field, and they were deleted from individual analyses. First we assessed how fantasy sport fans rated themselves, furries, bronies, and anime fans using a one-sample t-test with a test value of 50, which represented a neutral position. The results indicated that fantasy sport fans regard themselves significantly more favourably than neutral. However, fantasy sport fans assessed furries, bronies, and anime fans significantly less favorably than neutral. Within-subjects t-tests were conducted to determine how fantasy sport fans believed that a typical fantasy sport fan would assess other fan groups. Fantasy sport fans reported that they believed a typical fantasy sport fan would be more favorable of an anime fan than either a brony or furry fan. We also assessed how negatively fantasy sport fans personally felt about fantasy sport fans, furries, bronies and anime fans. Fantasy sport fans felt significantly more favorable toward fantasy sport fans than any other group. They also felt significantly more favorable about anime fans than either bronies or furries, which they viewed equally negatively. The results of this study provide evidence that furries and bronies face significantly greater negative affect than do anime fans when assessed by fantasy sport fans.

We examined furry fandom members’ anthrozoomorphic identity by investigating this subculture’s relationship with nonhuman animals. Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and two large-scale Internet and convention-based studies of furries, we developed (study 1; n = 4,338) and replicated (study 2; n = 1,707) the 10-item Species Connection Scale, which is a three-factor model of felt connection to animals: (1) a sense of appreciation or liking for a species, (2) a sense of spiritual or mystical connection to a species, and (3) a feeling of identification with or as another species. We then used this model to predict participants’ psychological wellbeing and tendency to attribute human-like traits and emotions to animals. The results indicated that (1) liking animals may be related to the ascription of secondary emotions to animals (supported in study 1, but not study 2), but was not associated with participant wellbeing (supported by both studies); (2) a spiritual connection to animals did not necessarily predict greater attribution of primary or secondary emotions to animals, but it was associated with greater psychological wellbeing (positive self-esteem in both studies; life satisfaction in study 1); (3) identification as an animal was strongly associated both with a tendency to avoid attributing secondary emotions to animals and negative participant wellbeing (supported by both studies). This research furthers our understanding of one subcultures’ felt connection with animals and suggests that further explorations of how connection with animals affects human welfare are warranted.

In two studies, we examine ingroup favoritism within the furry community. Furry fans construct personas (“fursonas”) that are often related to a species of animal (e.g., fox, wolf). In Study 1, furries were found to rate their fursona species more favorably than other species. In Study 2, we examined whether the ingroup projection model may aid in understanding this ingroup species bias. Participants’ ratings of prototypicality of their species within the fandom was associated with greater favoritism of one’s species. A serial mediation model showed that identification with the fursona and perceived benefits of one’s fursona mediated the association between ingroup projection and ingroup species bias.

In the present chapter we detail the stigmatizing portrayals of the furry fandom in the media, the challenges of publishing research about the fandom, and current and future efforts by the International Anthropomorphic Research Project team to combat negative and misguided perceptions of the furry fandom.

Roberts, S. E., Plante, C. N., Reysen, S., & Gerbasi, K. C. (2015). Marginalization of anthropomorphic identities: Public perception, realities, and “tails” of being a furry researcher. In T. Howl (Ed.), Furries among us: Essays on furries by the most prominent members of the fandom (pp. 152-168). Nashville, TN: Thurston Howl Publications.

In the present chapter we use a social identity theoretical perspective to examine the furry fandom. After reviewing social identity and self-categorization theories, we detail the results of empirical research utilizing the theories to examine furries’ psychological well-being, identity management, distinctiveness threats to the group, motivation to participate in the furry community, and the prosocial prototypical content associated with the furry fandom.

Reysen, S., Plante, C. N., Roberts, S. E., & Gerbasi, K. C. (2015). Social identity perspective of the furry fandom. In T. Howl (Ed.), Furries among us: Essays on furries by the most prominent members of the fandom (pp. 127-151). Nashville, TN: Thurston Howl Publications.

In the present chapter we present general statistics about the furry fandom to answer a number of questions that are often asked about furries (e.g., what is a furry, what are the demographics of the furry fandom, what is the content of the fandom?). Through the use of converging methodology that compares furries to interesting control groups, researchers have shed light on a group which, for years, has been known to most only through stereotypes and misconceptions. Demographic information provides a first look at the fandom and the social context through which to interpret other findings. A look at the idiosyncrasies and trends in the fandom helps us to better understand the experience of the average furry and what the fandom is and is not. Finally, a look at some of the psychological mechanisms associated with the furry fandom illustrates that, far from being trivial or insignificant, time spent in the furry fandom can have real, lasting effects on furries.

Plante, C. N., Roberts, S. E., Reysen, S., & Gerbasi, K. C. (2015). “By the numbers”: Comparing furries and related fandoms. In T. Howl (Ed.), Furries among us: Essays on furries by the most prominent members of the fandom (pp. 106-126). Nashville, TN: Thurston Howl Publications.

In the present chapter we present a short history of the formation of the International Anthropomorphic Research Project.

Gerbasi, K. C., Plante, C. N., Reysen, S., & Roberts, S. E. (2015). The origins of the international anthropomorphic research project. In T. Howl (Ed.), Furries among us: Essays on furries by the most prominent members of the fandom (pp. 102-105). Nashville, TN: Thurston Howl Publications.

In three studies of fan communities we examined differences in the Big Five personality traits between fans’ personal and fan identities. In all three studies, self-identified furries completed a measure of the Big Five personality traits for both their personal and furry identity. In Study 1, furries were found to rate all five dimensions higher when referring to their furry (vs. personal) identity. In Study 2 we replicated these results and further found that the effect was not limited to furries: sport fans also reported different personality ratings when referring to their fan or personal identity. In Study 3, we again replicated the results while testing predictors of personality differences between salient identities. A path model showed that felt connection to one’s fandom identity predicted greater frequency of fandom identity salience, which, in turn, predicted greater personality disparity between identities. Taken together, the results suggest the role of the social identity perspective in explaining inconsistencies in personality.

We investigated how group distinctiveness threats affect essentialist beliefs about group membership in a stigmatized fan community. An experiment conducted on 817 members of the fan community revealed that highly identified fans who perceived significant stigmatization were the most likely to endorse essentialist beliefs about group membership when exposed to a distinctiveness threat via comparison to a highly similar (vs. dissimilar) outgroup. These results bridge essentialism research and research on distinctiveness threat by demonstrating the mutability of group essentialism beliefs as a defensive response to distinctiveness threats. Implications for future research are discussed.

In the present study we examined whether heterosexual vaginal intercourse is the default prototype of sex and the association between the perceived frequency of sexual activities and prejudice toward individuals who engage in those activities. Participants rated 132 sexual activities and preferences with respect to perceived frequency that others engage in those activities and prejudice toward others who engage in the activities. The results suggested that heterosexual vaginal intercourse (missionary) is the default prototype of sex. Furthermore, the results showed a strong association between the perceived infrequency of sexual activities and prejudice toward individuals who engage in them. Together, the results suggested that the perceived norms of sexual behaviors contribute to the perceptions of other individuals and groups.

Furries, self-identified fans of anthropomorphism, report feeling significant social stigma. As a result, furries rarely reveal their furry identity to mental health professionals, for fear of judgment or disapproval. Improving health practitioners’ familiarity with the furry identity may improve the quality of care for furries seeking treatment for unrelated conditions. Six focus groups were conducted over three days at a furry convention in the Midwest United States to study the furry identity (59 self-identified furries ages 18 to 41). The authors define and describe the demographics of important distinctions within the furry community and discuss the furry identity and liken it to sexual orientation, noting that the stigma furries face—worsened by media that exaggerate fringe and rare behaviors—has made it challenging for furries to live authentically for fear of ostracism, violence, and discrimination. These factors have resulted in furries’ reluctance to disclose their identities. Highlighting communication challenges, the authors discuss strategies for health professionals to engage with furries in a clinical setting and to uphold unconditional positive regard.

Furries are everywhere: from Kubrick to Miyazaki; Disney to Hannah-Barbara; MTV to CBS; and from public, in-person conventions to more private, anonymous internet forums. This paper offers an approach to the furry fandom in the context of archival studies. By reading online furry media in light of Robert Gehl’s analysis of YouTube as “a place where many of the artifacts of digital empire sit on shelves, waiting either to overwhelm a visitor or to be utilized by savvy entrepreneurs,” I argue that the ephemeral footage of furry conventions on YouTube exists as an explicit refusal of the negative perception of furries in the public eye and resists their misinformed portrayal in televised crime dramas and reality shows (i.e. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, MTV’s True Life, and My Strange Addiction). Whereas the furry fandom has primarily served as an object of study for psychologists, media scholars have neglected to put forth an analysis that offers a fully-realized reading of the representation of furries in film and television without victimizing furries based on their “radical vulnerability.” Instead, I argue that a detailed analysis of furry media may allow us to transform the way we think about relations between humans, between humans who identify as animals, and between humans and the media they produce.

Although the subversive function of furry media in public and private spaces via the infiltration of furry representations into popular culture forms the body of this paper, an underlying claim to my argument is that furry media on the Internet also serves as an attempt to re-categorize the furry fandom as a normative community. Television shows, especially CSI and My Strange Addiction, imagine furry identity—public or private, real or virtual—as a hypersexual, unnatural, and perverse phenomenon, reinforcing the notions of bestiality that distort the mainstream perception of furries. As I conclude my paper, I draw out the importance of refusing to acquiesce to either the slanted portrayal of furries on television shows or to the dismissal of the furry fandom as a valuable object of study by academia. What the furry media on YouTube offers us is an alternative mode of thinking, similar to Michael Lundblad’s post-Darwinian reading of the inconsistency and complexity of “human-animal discourse,” and thus a means of countering the very limits of social and political horizons in archival studies.

This project investigates the spatiality of digital community through the use of a case study on the Furry Fandom. Given the lack of geographic literature on digital spatiality it relies on work from other disciplines, supported by geographic theories of relationally constructed social space. The Furry Fandom is a predominantly digital community that has strong ties in physical space in the form of its convention culture, resulting in a more focused relationship between physical and digital space. The research was conducted using a survey and individual interviews with members of the community who were accessed through the communities digital spaces, since this gave access to the largest possible sample population. The technologies which enable the existence of digital space have enabled the Furries to exist since they provide a level of distance which allows individual’s constructed fursonas to come to the fore, interact and form community space. A combination of relational space theory and the spatial triad is used to illustrate the formation of the social space of the Furry community both within the physical and digital. The study’s overarching conclusion is that community social space has become much more imagined and abstract.

The present research investigated the relationship between socio-structural characteristics of intergroup differences, identity concealment, and self-esteem in members of a stigmatized minority group. Structural equation modeling of survey responses collected at a convention showed that socio-structural characteristics interact to predict concealment strategies as a way of managing perceived stigma. Perceived permeability of intergroup boundaries predicted increased endorsement of concealment, moderated by the legitimacy and stability of intergroup status differences. Interacting socio-structural characteristics also predicted self-esteem, an effect mediated by identity concealment. The results illustrate that socio-structural characteristics can help predict stigmatized minority group members’ endorsement of identity concealment despite its potentially maladaptive effects.

Two studies investigated the relationship between fan group participation and global citizenship identification—self-identifying as a member of a global community with a sense of responsibility to act toward the betterment of that global community. In Study 1, surveys were given to members of a fandom that frequently engages in charity and values diversity, empathy, and helping. Surveys were also given to a comparison group: an online sample of Americans whose fan identities were not salient. In Study 2, surveys were given to undergrads that belonged to diverse fandoms (e.g., music, sport, TV show) and differed in the extent to which they were seen to value global citizenship. In both studies, participants who belonged to fandoms that valued global citizenship were more likely to self-identify as global citizens. This relationship was mediated by two factors: perceiving close others as valuing global citizenship and a sense of global awareness—an awareness of global interconnectedness. Identifying as a global citizen was also associated with greater endorsement of prosocial values such as diversity. Together, the results demonstrate a relationship between fandom participation and identity, attitudes, values, with behavioral implications.