Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-2024
Abstract
Power play, or consensual power changing between “Dominant” and “submissive” role partners, is common practice within BDSM culture. In fact, to many BDSM practitioners, their D/s role is an integral part of their sexual identity and behavior, which informs not only their sexual scripts, but also their non-sexual social interactions. This two-part research study used computerized text analysis to determine whether BDSM practitioners relative to non-practitioners, and among D/s role identities, differed in their language use. Study 1 utilized a sample of 13,374 web-scraped comments from BDSM- and non-BDSM-related subreddits. Study 2 used a recruited sample of 285 self-identified Dominants, submissives, switches, and non-BDSM practitioners. Results suggest that BDSM practitioners consistently use role-specific language outside of scenes and sexual contexts. Findings from this top-down approach, coupled with a bottom-up approach published previously (Crane & Ireland, 2022), intend to facilitate a comprehensive analysis to inform future research of marginalized persons with diverse sexualities.
Recommended Citation
Crane, P. (2024). Word Play: A Top-Down Approach to Text Analysis of BDSM Practitioners’ Written Language. Journal of Positive Sexuality, 10(2), 26–53. https://doi.org/10.51681/2.1021
