The Gendered Interactional Patterns of Computer-Mediated Chatrooms: A Critical Ethnographic Study

The researcher discovered that traditionally masculine and feminine forms of discourse dominate the chatrooms, and the groups constructed and maintained normative forms of behavior.

Abstract

Abstract This study explores the gendered discourse of social-based computer-mediated contexts. Specifically, the critical ethnography explicates the patterns of discourse of both a sports-related (masculine-dominated) chatroom and a female-based (feminine-dominated) chatroom. Through the participant observations, the researcher discovered that traditionally masculine and feminine forms of discourse dominate the chatrooms. Furthermore, the groups constructed and maintained normative forms of behavior. Masculine participants were aggressive, argumentative, and power oriented. While feminine participants sought relationships and intimacy, they were often dominated and overpowered by the aggressive discourse of the masculine members. The findings have significant implications for the construction of gender in cyberspace, the normative behavior of computer-mediated communication, and power and gender in the use of technology. Keywords: Computer-mediated Communication;Ethnography;Gender;Internet Chatrooms