Technosexuality: Technology, Sexuality, and Convergence
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Syracuse University SURFACE S.I. Newhouse School of Public Mass Communications - Dissertations Communications 8-2012 Technosexuality: Technology, Sexuality, and Convergence John M. Wolf Syracuse University Follow this and additional works at: https://surface.syr.edu/com_etd Part of the Mass Communication Commons Recommended Citation Wolf, John M., "Technosexuality: Technology, Sexuality, and Convergence" (2012). Mass Communications - Dissertations. 89. https://surface.syr.edu/com_etd/89 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at SURFACE. It has been accepted for inclusion in Mass Communications - Dissertations by an authorized administrator of SURFACE. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT Convergence refers to a phenomenon where multiple communication technologies are integrated into a single device. Technosexuality proposes a convergence between sexuality as a social phenomenon and technologically mediated modes of interpersonal communication and sexual information consumption. The findings of this study indicate that though there is not a complete convergence between technology and sexuality, there nonetheless exists a relationship between the two constructs. Consistent with extant literature about computer-mediated sexuality, the technosexual behaviors in this study were organized primarily by arousal type; however, subsequent degrees of classification suggest that technology also plays a decisive role in the ways in which behaviors are adopted and enacted. This study also focuses on same-gender sexuality as it relates to expressions of technosexuality as well as the ways in which same-gender sexual identity, behavior, and desire are classically operationalized and empirically measured. Findings suggest that though queer persons—and gay, queer, and bisexual men in particular— participate in technosexual behaviors more frequently than their straight counterparts, same-gender sexuality has an indirect effect on technosexual participation and is mediated by primarily by the construct of deviance. TECHNOSEXUALITY: TECHNOLOGY, SEXUALITY, AND CONVERGENCE Dissertation by: John M. Wolf M.A., Syracuse University, 2008 B.A., Baldwin-Wallace College, 2004 Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communication in the Graduate School of Syracuse University August 2012 Copyright 2012 John M. Wolf All rights reserved. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This dissertation was made possible by the support of the following individuals: My dissertation committee: Dr. Pam Shoemaker, my adviser, whose thoughtful guidance and supervision helped to direct my research. Drs. Makana Chock and Andrew London, whose consistent consultation and feedback shaped the project in meaningful ways. Dr. Michael Schoonmaker, whose direction and mentorship were pivotal throughout my graduate work at Syracuse University. Dean Amy Falkner, whose leadership and dedication were inspirational as I conducted this research. And Dr. Janet Wilmoth, without whom my love for statistics may have never been realized. My Newhouse cronies: Val Schwiesberger, Cory Weaver, Dr. Gina Chen, Kristi Gilmore, Dr. Hinda Mandell, Simone Becque, Phil Johnson, Natalia Grace Berrios, Liz Woolery, Jenn Billinson, Dr. Caroyln Davis Hedges, Linda Daley, Greg Munno, Shari Williams, Rachel Somerstein, Brian Moritz, Dr. Meghan O’Brien, and KyuJin Shim. Without the encouragement and friendship of these individuals, I very likely would not have completed this project. Thank you for making my time in graduate school so unforgettable. Drs. Dennis Kinsey and Carol Liebler, whose leadership and institutional support were key to the completion of the project. Amy Arends, who efficiently and incessantly dealt with my administrative questions and concerns. Drs. Brenda Wrigley and Bruce Carter, whose support was crucial to my data collection. Drs. Brad Gorham and Bob Thompson, who intellectually inspired my research with their captivating class lectures and hallway conversations. iv My family and friends: Jessica Wolf, my sister soul, without whom I would be lost. Marty and Jane Wolf, Vaughn Schoonmaker, Joshua Beeson, Sharon Schoonmaker and the Trudeau/Schoonmaker clan, Alana Jochum, Ryan Wiegner, Ryan Kofron, and every family member who asked “So when are you going to be done with school?” every single holiday. Your affection, love, and concern kept me keeping on when I didn't think I had anything else in me. Lastly, everyone who helped with data collection and/or completed the questionnaire. You are too numerous to name individually, but rest assured that without the efforts of many, this research and its focus on a very specific community would not have been possible. Thank you to everyone who shared the survey via social media and encouraged your friends and family to complete it (even if you blushed after you realized what you asked). For all these efforts, I am eternally grateful. v TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................... i TITLE PAGE ...................................................................................................................... ii COPYRIGHT ..................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................... vi LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... ix LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................................. x CHAPTER 1: WE TECHNOSEXUALS ............................................................................ 1 Culture, Technology, and Social Mores ............................................................................. 3 External Validity ................................................................................................................. 8 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................ 9 Sexuality ............................................................................................................................. 9 Sexual Behaviors ....................................................................................................... 11 Sexual Identity ........................................................................................................... 12 Identification ......................................................................................................... 13 Term adoption and identity politics ...................................................................... 17 Same-gender sexual behavior and desire .............................................................. 19 Sexual scripts ........................................................................................................ 23 Defining the Queer ............................................................................................................ 25 Queering Technology: Sexual Minorities and Technology Use ............................... 26 Sex, Technology, and Convergence .................................................................................. 29 Motivation ................................................................................................................. 32 vi Attitudes ................................................................................................................ 35 Need fulfillment .................................................................................................... 37 Research Questions and Hypotheses ................................................................................ 39 Theoretical Model ..................................................................................................... 44 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY .................................................................................... 46 Study Design ..................................................................................................................... 46 Operational Definitions ..................................................................................................... 49 Demographic Measures ............................................................................................. 50 Technology Use Measures ........................................................................................ 51 Motivation Measures ................................................................................................. 52 Sexual Attitudes Measures ........................................................................................ 55 Sexual Identification and Desire Measures ............................................................... 57 Sexual Behaviors Measures ....................................................................................... 58 Technosexual Measures ............................................................................................ 59 Social Media Usage and Sexual Identity Measures .................................................. 60 CHAPTER 4: SAME-GENDER SEXUALITY ..............................................................