Sissy Hypno: Conceptualisation of Autogynephilic Persuasive Pornography (AGPP) and an Investigative Exploration of the Experiences of its Consumers

Abstract

Autogynephilic Persuasive Pornography (AGPP) is a type of pornography that is characterised by its unique autogynephilic and persuasive traits. Autogynephilia refers to the sexual pleasure one derives by imagining themselves as women. Known in the subculture as Sissy Hypno, this type of pornography is an altered mishmash of conventional licensed studio/mainstream pornography found on the internet, designed to interact with/persuade the user (by text or audio) and aid in the process of erotic self-feminisation. AGPP is consumed by a wide range of individuals and for a wide variety of reasons. Yet, there is little to no empirical research aimed at describing this novel form of media, the motivations of its consumers and the effects of its consumption. Therefore, this research study qualitatively explores the experiences of 16 participants (N = 16, age > 19), who consumed AGPP at the time of the study, by phenomenologically interpreting self-reported behaviour and self-described inclinations regarding AGPP use. The participants were recruited from Reddit, and the participant sample is an ethnically diverse sample consisting of men and transwomen. The key findings were categorised into the following superordinate themes: (1) Influence of AGPP on personality and individual lifestyle (2) Exploring femininity and submissive sexual behaviour and (3) Influence of AGPP on gender and sexuality. The analysis of these themes (and their subordinate themes) allows for the conceptualisation of AGPP and an analysis of its reported effects, contributes to the limited evidence of cisgender men strongly relating to Autogynephilia or erotic self-feminisation, alongside Autogynephilia being a frequent motivation for consuming AGPP. Some of the positive and negative effects of consuming AGPP (primarily focusing on gender identity, sexual attitudes and sexuality) were also identified through self-report, thereby, necessitating the need for widening the scientific exploration of Autogynephilia amongst AGPP consumers (not limited to gender categories) and the clinical implications of consuming AGPP (e.g., compulsive AGPP consumption).