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The Futurians, Gamergate, and Fandom: The Construction of Social Identities Through Competition and Technology

The Futurians, Gamergate, and Fandom: The Construction of Social Identities Through Competition and Technology
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Author(s): Julia Crouse Waddell (West Chester University, USA)
Copyright: 2020
Pages: 16
Source title: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Media Fandom
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Robert Andrew Dunn (East Tennessee State University, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-3323-9.ch016

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Abstract

From the science fiction fan clubs of the 1930s to the modern gamers, devoted fans have found one another and formed groups bonded over their shared interest. As groups formed, social identities began to emerge, distinguishing ingroups and outgroups. Social identity theory helps to explain the formation of groups as well as inevitable competition over resources and power. As technology became more sophisticated, fans were able to communicate with greater ease facilitating ingroup social identification. The inherent properties of video games reinforce both the cooperation among ingroup members as well as the rivalry with outgroups. Understanding the mechanisms within video games as well as the affordances of CMC and social media help to explain the group dynamics that support the Gamergate social identity.

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