Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

An interpretative phenomenological analysis of identity in the therian community

Grivell, T., Clegg, H. and Roxburgh, E. C. (2014) An interpretative phenomenological analysis of identity in the therian community. Identity: An International Journal of Theory and Research. 14(2), pp. 113-135. 1528-3488.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: Therianthropy is the belief that one is part nonhuman animal. Opinions vary in the academic literature as to whether it is a mental illness or a spiritual belief. Although believed to be rare in the Western world, the development of a Western online community of therians who largely have not come to the attention of the academic community suggests that it is not well understood. In this study, five therians were interviewed about how the adoption of the term therian impacts their identity. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, three themes emerged: (a) a journey of self-discovery, (b) transpeciesism, and (c) the therian shadow. The personal discovery and acceptance of therianthropy appears to be a gradual development process. Strong parallels were made to transgenderism. A desire for public acceptance was expressed by the respondents.
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF697 Differential psychology. Individuality. Self
Creators: Grivell, Timothy, Clegg, Helen and Roxburgh, Elizabeth C
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > Centre for the Study of Anomalous Psychological Processes
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Group > Social and Cultural Research in Psychology Group
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
Research Centres > Centre for Psychology and Social Sciences
Date: 2014
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 113-135
Journal or Publication Title: Identity: An International Journal of Theory and Research
Volume: 14
Number: 2
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15283488.2014.891999
ISSN: 1528-3488
Status: Published / Disseminated
Refereed: Yes
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/7057

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