Buxom girls and boys in baseball hats: Adolescent avatars in graphical chat spaces
1. Buxom Girls and Boys in Baseball Hats: Adolescent Avatars in Graphical Chat Spaces Lois Ann Scheidt School of Library and Information Science Indiana University
3. Research Questions What types of avatars do adolescents use in graphical chat spaces? How is gender represented in these avatars?
4. Methodology – General Chat Room The chat site chosen consists of 180+ chatrooms. 24 chatrooms designated for General Chat and populated by adolescents. Each room had a capacity of 30 participants. The total General Chat participation regularly exceeds 200 participants.
5. Methodology – Chatroom Selection Five General Chatrooms were selected for this study based on: The consistent use of avatars. Regularity of five or more participants around the clock.
6. Methodology – Data Collection The day was divided into 4 time blocks. Data was collected in 1 hour increments. 2 hours of data was collected in each time block. Individual avatars were collected and saved for analysis. Moderators were removed from the analysis as they must be 21.
7. Methodology - Analysis Content Analysis. Coding scheme was developed during an earlier pilot study.
8. Methodology – Avatar Coding Scheme Two sets of forced choice selections were made. Humanoid/other pictured in the avatar: Humanoid - female, male, female(s) and male(s), and unknown gender, or Other - non-human, and graphical.
9. Methodology – Avatar Coding Scheme Advertising Angels, pixies, etc Animated Avatar is drawing Avatar is photo Baggy clothing Celebrities, musicians, actors, etc Combination construction Compound construction
10. Methodology – Avatar Coding Scheme Coy gaze Drug, smoking, alcohol Exaggerated secondary sexual characteristics Eyes obscured Figures in action Gore and/or blood Guns, swords, spears, armor, etc Humanoid group (3 or more) Membership or group tags
25. Findings – Male Avatars Combination/compound avatars or avatars with nicknames superimposed on a photo or drawing. 32.0% (n=32).
26. Findings – Both Female(s) and Male(s) Avatars Combination/compound avatars or avatars with nicknames superimposed on a photo or drawing. 75.0%% (n=6).
27. Findings – Both Female(s) and Male(s) Avatars Nudity & revealing clothing. 50.0%% (n=4).
28. Findings – Both Female(s) and Male(s) Avatars Baggy clothing. Coy gaze. Eyes obscured. 37.5% (n=3).
29. Findings – Unknown Gender Combination/compound avatars or avatars with nicknames superimposed on a photo or drawing. 33.3% (n=12).