Heavy Metal, identity and the social negotiation of a community of practice
Abstract
Psychologists have raised concerns about Heavy Metal music and possible links with substance misuse and youth suicide. This paper moves beyond this traditional disciplinary focus on negative messages to document the media-related practices through which a Heavy Metal community is negotiated. Six participants contributed to ethnographic observations, interviews and photo-voice projects. Results illustrate how socio-material practices such as dressing a certain way, frequenting a bar and dancing are central to community maintenance and the reaffirmation of shared identities. Findings highlight the need for community psychology research to document the material and symbolic nature of contemporary communal life.
Type
Journal Article
Type of thesis
Series
Citation
Snell, D., & Hodgetts, D. (2007). Heavy Metal, identity and the social negotiation of a community of practice. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 17(6) 430-445.
Date
2007
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Degree
Supervisors
Rights
This article is published in the Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology