Investigating the development of group identity through social reward signalling in a central Manosphere forum

Over the past decade, we have witnessed the rise of influencers and the proliferation of websites forming what is commonly referred to as the Manosphere: online forums where men from around the world congregate to discuss dating, self-improvement, and gender roles. However, these spaces are frequently associated with misogyny and extremism-the most prominent example being Incels. This paper examines the development of a central forum within the Manosphere: The Red Pill. Specifically, it investigates the formation and enforcement of group identity within the forum. By analysing how identity markers are rewarded through user engagement and approval, the study traces the evolution of group identity over time, its impact on the forum's user base, and the influence of the 2016 United States presidential election on the group's identity. More broadly, this research proposes a methodology grounded in Social Identity Theory and Signalling Theory, operationalized through social network analysis and natural language processing.