Furries from A to Z (Anthropomorphism to Zoomorphism)

Abstract

Th is study explored the furry identity. Furries are humans interested in anthropomorphic art and cartoons. Some furries have zoomorphic tendencies. Furries often identify with, and/or assume, characteristics of a special/totem species of nonhuman animal. Th is research surveyed both furries (n = 217) and non-furry individuals (n = 29) attending a furry convention and a comparison group of college students (n = 68). Furries commonly indicated dragons and various canine and feline species as their alternate-species identity; none reported a nonhuman-primate identity. Dichotomous responses ("yes" or "no") to two key furry-identity questions ("do you consider yourself to be less than 100% human" and "if you could become 0% human, would you") produced a two-by-two furry typology. Th ese two independent dimensions are self-perception (undistorted versus distorted) and species identity (attained versus unattained). One-quarter of the furry sample answered "yes" to both questions, placing them in the "Distorted Unattained" quadrant. Th is type of furry has certain characteristics paralleling gender-identity disorder. To explore this parallel, the furry typology, and the proposed construct of "Species Identity Disorder" needs further research.

‘More than skin‐deep’: Biological essentialism in response to a distinctiveness threat in a stigmatized fan community

“…To test our hypotheses, we surveyed members of a stigmatized recreational group known as the furry community. Furries are people who self-identify with their interest in anthropomorphism (ascribing human traits to animals) and zoomorphism (ascribing animal traits to humans; Gerbasi et al, 2008;Mock, Plante, Reysen, & Gerbasi, 2013;Roberts, Plante, Gerbasi, & Reysen, 2015). Many furries describe fandom identification as crucial to their identity (Roberts et al, 2015).…”

“…First, furry group membership may not be as readily attributable to biological factors as previously studied groups (e.g., race, sexual orientation). Second, and more important, there exists considerable overlap between the furry fandom, which emphasizes artwork and costuming (Gerbasi et al, 2008) and a related fandom, the anime fandom. The anime fandom consists of self-identified Japanese animation fans whose interests also manifest themselves through artwork and costuming (Chen, 2007).…”

An Exploratory Study of a New Kink Activity: “Pup Play”

“…Since pathological classifications of consensual sexual acts are increasingly contested (see Gerbasi et al, 2008;Langdridge, 2006;Sandnabba, Santtila & Nordling, 1999), this exploratory study examines the experiences of gay and bisexual men participating in pup play by analyzing their narratives in order to develop an understanding of the activity that is rooted in their experiences (see Rehor, 2015). Using existing classificatory schema for Sadomasochism (SM) (Weinberg, Williams & Moser, 1984) and serious leisure (Newmahr 2011), we contend that pup play is a distinct kink and call for further research to help understand this activity.…”

Ingroup Bias and Ingroup Projection in the Furry Fandom

“…Furry fans, also known as furries, are individuals with an interest in anthropomorphism (ascription of human traits to animals) and zoomorphism (ascription of animal traits to humans; Gerbasi et al, 2008;. The community consists of artists, costumers (who wear mascot-like costumes called fursuits), writers, musicians, and fans of anthropomorphic writing and artwork (Plante, Roberts, Reysen, & Gerbasi, 2014a).…”