Socialization, Role Attainment and Stigma Management in BDSM

<p>This research focuses on the methods of introduction into BDSM, role identification, and the management of private information as it relates to BDSM. The method utilized for this study was in-depth interviews of fifteen current participants in the BDSM subculture. It is primarily through peer association, sexual scripting, and impression management that new members are introduced, learn their role, and manage their information within the BDSM subculture. It was found that peer association is the primary method of socializing members. Role identification is accomplished through both a method of sexual scripting as well as complimentary differentiation, the process by which a stimulus is transmitted and received, and subsequent stimuli are transmitted back, reinterpreted and responded to. It is through impression management and stigma management that members learn to maintain the privacy of their participation. Future research should include additional analysis with a larger sample size to determine if the current findings will continue to hold true.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Department of Sociology

Year

2011

Author dc:creator

• Hopper, Ronald Lynn, Jr.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Steve Groce (Director), Dr. Matt Pruitt, Dr. Carrie Trojan

• deviance
• sexuality
• norms
• values
• conformity
• Gender and Sexuality
• Social Control, Law, Crime, and Deviance

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/1132

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.wku.edu:theses-2135