A Critical Discourse Analysis of Online Misogynistic Trolling in the Gaming Community: A Mixed Methods Study

Online gaming platforms foster vibrant communities but are increasingly recognized as environments where harmful interactions, including misogynistic trolling, proliferate. This study examined the linguistic strategies and discursive devices utilized in online misogynistic trolling within specific online gaming communities. The objectives included exploring how power dynamics and gender ideologies are represented in this discourse and analyzing the cognitive processes and mental representations that influence the production and reception of such communications. For the qualitative analysis, critical discourse analysis methods were employed, including Fairclough’s three-dimensional model, van Dijk’s socio-cognitive approach, and the ideological square. The quantitative analysis entailed frequency counts and inferential statistics (chi-square tests) to uncover relationships between variables identified in the qualitative phase, specifically, linguistic features, cognitive processes, and platform type. The dataset for analysis comprised 200 online texts (forum posts, comments, messages) and related data sources (gaming streams, videos, podcasts, social media interactions), primarily sourced from platforms like Reddit, 4chan, and Twitch, alongside interviews and focus groups with affected gamers. The analysis indicated a significant prevalence of misogynistic language, including sexual objectification, insults, and threats, along with notable instances of racist, religious, homophobic, and ableist hate speech. Cognitive processes like stereotyping, prejudice, and emotional reactions drive the creation and reception of hateful messages. Understanding the mechanisms of such harmful discourse is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate its impact, which holds broader relevance for creating respectful interactions in various online settings, including educational ones.