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Aishwarya Lonikar, PsyD, is a 2025 graduate of the PsyD program in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University, Seattle.

Dissertation Committee:

Jude Bergkamp, PsyD, Committee Chair

Sarah Daly, PhD, Committee Member

Melissa Kennedy, PhD, Committee Member

Keywords

incels; ambivalent sexism; coloniality; hegemonic masculinity; socially-conferred privilege; thematic analysis

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

Incels have gained mainstream attention in recent years because of increasing sexism and hatred that have manifested as violent acts committed towards women in the real world. This has led to growing research and discussion on social and political culture. The goal of this study is to understand why men join the incel community, to find ways to mitigate the need for men to join such communities. A theoretical thematic analysis was conducted using a survey to gain a deeper understanding of why men choose to join the incel community. A decolonial feminist interpretive framework was used to analyze the collected data in this study. Themes of Hierarchical Perspectives Guiding Individual Beliefs, Dysconsciousness Privilege, Ambivalent Sexist Attitudes, and Belongingness emerged from the analysis of the responses provided by participants. The sub-theme under Hierarchical Perspectives Guiding Individual Beliefs was Desire for Hegemonic Masculinity. Two sub-themes emerged under the theme of Dysconsciousness Privilege, called Experiences of Victimization and Externalization of Blame. Implications for clinical psychology, research, and public policy are discussed at the end.

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Aishwarya Lonikar, PsyD, 2025

ORCIC Scholar No. 0009-0008-8044-7748

Bio:

Aishwarya Lonikar earned her Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) degree from Antioch University Seattle in 2025, following her APA-accredited internship at Wayne State University Counseling and Psychological Services in Detroit. She holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy from Antioch University, Santa Barbara, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Michigan State University. Aishwarya’s scholarly and clinical interests center on social justice, decoloniality, decolonizing feminism, reproductive justice, and understanding trauma through a cultural lens. Clinically, her training includes work in community mental health settings, with individuals experiencing substance use challenges, and with those living with chronic pain.

Publications:

- Martinez, M., Miranda, C., Lonikar, A., Cesar, R., Reed, K., Bergkamp, J., Krizke, J. (2023). When Voices are Left Unheard: BIPOC Doctoral Student Feedback Towards a Decolonized Curriculum. In Training and Education in Professional Psychology.

- Bergkamp, J., Persaud, S., Fulmer, T., Lonikar, A., Khan, A. (2022). South Asian multicultural, multi-heritage, and diaspora identities. In Counseling South Asian Americans: Psychological and Clinical Implications. Routledge Press.

Presentations:

- Lonikar, A., Shehu, K., & Kuentzel, J. (2025, April). Clinical Characteristics of Indian-origin International Students at Counseling Centers [Poster Presentation]. University of Michigan Mental Health on College Campuses Conference 2025.

- Morris Tuip. H., Lonikar, A., & Staley, A. (2023, October). Colonialism, Copulation, & Control: A Primer on Reproductive Justice [Poster Presentation]. 2023 Fall Northwest Psychological Convention.

- Lonikar, A., Fulmer, T., & Bergkamp, J. (2023, August). South Asian Multicultural, Multi-heritage, and Diaspora Identities: A Case Study [Poster Presentation]. American Psychological Association Convention.

- Morris Tuip. H., Lonikar, A., & Staley, A. (2023, February). Colonialism, Copulation, & Control: A Primer on Reproductive Justice [Symposium Presentation]. Antioch University Social Justice Research Symposium.

- Bergkamp, J., Fulmer, T., Lonikar, A., & Khan, A. (2022, August). The Aggregate Model: Conceptualizing Privilege and Power in the Therapeutic Relationship [Poster Presentation]. American Psychological Association Convention.

- Martinez, M., Miranda, C., Lonikar, A., & Bergkamp, B. (2022, August). From the Bottom Up: BIPOC Doctoral Students’ Feedback to Program Faculty and Administration [Presentation]. American Psychological Association Convention.

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