BASW Cymru Practice Workshop: An introduction to involuntary celibates: Identity, risk, psychology, and intervention
An introduction to involuntary celibates: Identity, risk, psychology, and intervention
Involuntary celibates or “incels” are a group of men who have built an identity around their perceived rejection and exclusion from sex and relationships. Due to their misogynistic and antagonist online rhetoric, and association with recent acts of violence (e.g., mass shootings), there is growing concern about the danger incels pose to themselves and society.
Research on incels is scarce, meaning that discussion of their beliefs and behaviors is often exaggerated and inaccurate. Dr. Thomas is one of the world leaders in incel research, having conducted some of the largest work on this community. He is also an integrative psychotherapist working predominantly with men looking to escape incel and broader manosphere ideology.
In this talk, Dr. Thomas will give an overview of (i) the incel community, including their background and beliefs (ii) the empirical research about the psychological disposition of incels and risk factors for harm (iii) outline some of the barriers to intervention with incels including advice for social workers on working with this hard-to-reach group.
Dr Andrew G. Thomas is a Researcher, training consultant, and therapist from the United Kingdom. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology at Swansea University. Andrew is an internationally recognised expert in sex differences, mating psychology, and relationships. As an evolutionary psychologist, he believes that the mind, much like the body, has been shaped by the forces of evolution and that modern humans possess a mating psychology evolved to overcome the recurring challenges faced by our ancestors. His work has been published in some of the top journals in evolutionary psychology, sexology, and personality. In addition, he has received funding for research on problematic mating behaviour, such as sexual harassment and misogyny, from the UK and Welsh governments.