HELP, IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE FORUM?: A FANTASY THEME ANALYSIS 
OF THE STUDENT DOCTOR NETWORK FORUMS 
 
Except where reference is made to the work of others, the work described in this thesis is 
my own or was done in collaboration with my advisory committee.  This thesis does not 
include proprietary or classified information. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
_____________________________________ 
Josh Hillyer 
 
 
 
Certificate of Approval: 
 
 
 
___________________________         ___________________________ 
Susan L. Brinson Mary Helen Brown, Chair 
Professor                   Professor 
Communication and Journalism         Communication and Journalism 
 
 
 
___________________________         ___________________________ 
George M. Plasketes           George T. Flowers 
Professor Interim Dean 
Communication and Journalism          Graduate School 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
HELP, IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE FORUM?: A FANTASY THEME ANALYSIS 
OF THE STUDENT DOCTOR NETWORK FORUMS 
 
Josh Hillyer 
 
 
A Thesis 
Submitted to 
the Graduate Faculty of 
Auburn University 
in Partial Fulfillment of the 
Requirements for the 
Degree of 
Master of Arts 
 
 
 
Auburn, Alabama 
August 9, 2008
 
HELP, IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE FORUM?: A FANTASY THEME ANALYSIS 
OF THE STUDENT DOCTOR NETWORK FORUMS 
 
Josh Hillyer 
 
 
Permission is granted to Auburn University to make copies of this thesis at its discretion, 
upon request of individuals or institutions at their expense.  The author reserves all 
publication rights. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
________________________ 
     Signature of Author   
 
 
 
________________________ 
        Date of Graduation   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
iii  
 
 
 
 
 
VITA 
 
Josh Hillyer, son of the late Theodore Larry Hillyer and Dr. Brenda Joyce Hillyer 
was born June 21, 1984 in Opelika, Alabama.  He graduated cum laude with a Bachelor 
of Arts in Mass Communications in May, 2006. After working as a Web producer for 
WSFA-TV in Montgomery, Alabama, Josh entered the Masters program in the 
Department of Communication & Journalism in August of 2006.  While in the 
Communication Masters program, Josh taught Public Speaking and assisted in other 
related courses. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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THESIS ABSTRACT 
 
HELP, IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE FORUM?: A FANTASY THEME ANALYSIS 
OF THE STUDENT DOCTOR NETWORK FORUMS 
 
Josh Hillyer 
Master of Arts, August 9, 2008 
(B.A., Auburn University, 2006) 
 
 
 
 
 
138 Typed Pages 
 
Directed by Mary Helen Brown 
 
 
 
 This thesis uses an applied methodology based on Bormann's (1972b) fantasy 
theme analysis to study the Internet communication in the Student Doctor Network 
(SDN) Forums.  The Internet posts of several thousands of pre-medical and medical 
students were placed into categories based on subject matter and shared understandings 
of reality and major life decisions.   
Several fantasies are present in the SDN Forums.  These shared fantasies explain 
the SDN community's love for some medical schools, desire to give each other advice, 
dislike of "typical" pre-medical students, understanding of how medical students and
 
doctors succeed, and their thoughts on what really matters in life.  The fantasies are part 
of a larger rhetorical vision, "It's Still Worth It," which encourages the SDN community 
to continue trying, no matter how difficult medical school might seem. 
This thesis concludes with a look at how this fantasy theme analysis can be 
applied to college advising, as many members of the SDN Forums ask each other for 
serious advice.  The results of this thesis also suggest that an applied version of the 
fantasy theme analysis methodology is effective for studying Internet forums and other 
online communities. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 
 The author first and foremost thanks Dr. Mary Helen Brown, the chair of his 
committee, for her diligent assistance and advice at every step of this thesis.  The author 
also thanks Dr. Susan Brinson and Dr. George Plasketes for their willingness to 
participate as committee members by contributing their useful thoughts and 
recommendations.  Thanks are due to Dr. Jennifer Adams, Dr. Brinson, Dr. Brown, Dr. 
John Carvalho, Dr. Margaret Fitch-Hauser, Julie Gregory, Dr. Kristen Hoerl, Dr. Sei-Hill 
Kim, Jessie King, Holly Lavenstein, Nicole McDavid, Dr. Plasketes, Ric Smith, Mark 
Walters, and Dr. Emmett Winn for their help and support throughout the author's 
graduate career.  Further, the author thanks fellow Graduate Teaching Assistants Doo-
Hun Choi, Andrew Davis, Nick Kirby, Amanda Mullins, Megan Rector, Gretchen Stull, 
Melissa Voynich, and Kelly Williams.  Finally, the author thanks his family and friends, 
especially his mother, Dr. Joyce Hillyer, and his fianc?e, Sarah Byrd, for their 
unconditional love and kindness during the completion of this thesis. 
 
  
 
 
 
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Style manual or journal used: Publication Manual of the American Psychological 
Association, 5th Edition 
Computer software used: Microsoft Word 2000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 
I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................1 
II. LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................................3 
III. RESEARCH QUESTIONS .........................................................................................36 
IV. METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................38 
V. ANALYSIS ...................................................................................................................57 
VI. CONCLUSIONS .......................................................................................................100 
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................121 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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I. INTRODUCTION 
Doctors work in a stressful, high-stakes environment.  Stebbing and Powles 
(2007) explain that the stress that young doctors feel affects their personal relationships 
and financial situations.  This thesis focuses on these young individuals who are in 
varying stages of their careers, ranging from applying to medical school to practicing 
medicine.  While other studies exist on stress and uncertainty in the workplace, they take 
a different approach than that of this thesis.  Rather than drawing a sample of medical 
professionals and periodically interviewing them, this thesis searches for themes within 
the unfiltered conversations of thousands of medical professionals, students, and their 
family and friends.  The Student Doctor Network (SDN) Internet community features 
hundreds of forum posts every day, allowing for a rich body of communication for 
analysis.  This thesis analyzes conversations within two of the SDN?s most popular 
forums, both largely populated by medical professionals and students.  As the SDN 
Forums community allows these individuals to communicate freely about issues related 
to practicing medicine and managing a personal life (and potentially socialization and 
uncertainty issues), it is a useful group to analyze in this study. 
This thesis seeks to add not only to the body of research on uncertainty reduction 
and organizational socialization but also to Bormann?s (1972b) fantasy theme analysis 
methodology.  It is apparent that Bormann?s method is useful for this particular study 
because it allows for the discovery of shared values and belief systems in groups.  As this 
 
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thesis is concerned with the communication of a large group of individuals, it is 
necessary to use Bormann?s method to accurately assess the group?s communication.  
The results of studies by Bormann (1973) and scholars such as Benoit, Klyukovski, 
McHale, and Airne (2001), Cichy (1988), and Putnam, Van Hoeven, and Bullis (1991), 
assert the validity of the method.  However, as this thesis analyzes an Internet community 
rather than newspaper articles or films, it cannot rely solely on the framework provided 
by Bormann and other scholars.  Instead, this thesis expands upon the methods used by 
Alem?n (2005) in a fantasy theme analysis of an Internet community.   
This thesis provides a comprehensive literature review, the key terms and 
methods used in conducting the fantasy theme analysis, the results, and a discussion of 
the implications and a suggestion for future research.  After reviewing the relevant 
literature, the thesis explains my applied fantasy theme analysis methodology and moves 
to a look at a pre-test of the SDN Forums community.  It concludes by presenting the 
final analysis of the community and the resulting fantasy themes and rhetorical vision (if 
present). 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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II. LITERATURE REVIEW 
 This literature review focuses on a variety of topics relevant to a fantasy theme 
analysis of an Internet community.  First, the literature review presents the basic concepts 
underlying fantasy theme analysis, including a discussion of Bormann?s early explanation 
of the theory and resulting studies, studies conducted by other scholars, and new 
applications of the method.  Second, the literature review turns to a discussion of 
uncertainty reduction and its relationship to communication and information seeking.  
Third, the literature review focuses on how uncertainty reduction relates to organizational 
socialization in a variety of settings including groups and teams, universities, and health 
organizations.   
 Many significant areas of research examine fantasy theme analysis, a concept that 
emerged from symbolic convergence theory.  As symbolic convergence theory (SCT) 
spawned many of the concepts that scholars use when conducting fantasy theme analyses, 
it is relevant to briefly review SCT.  Bormann (1982c) states that, ?Symbolic 
convergence creates, maintains, and allows people to achieve empathic communion as 
well as a ?meeting of the minds?? (p. 51). The theory provides scholars with a means of 
observing communication behavior and understanding when individuals have come to a 
shared meaning.  Bormann further explains SCT by looking at the words ?symbolic? and 
?convergence.?   
 
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Bormann (1982c) notes that communicators try to decipher what other 
communicators? actions symbolize, as multiple meanings can be applied to signs and 
actions.  According to SCT, actions symbolize meanings.  Cragan and Shields? (1992) 
review of SCT?s theoretical assumptions is useful in explaining the use of the word 
?symbolic,? in noting that reality is a symbolic construction, understood through actions 
and communication.  Bormann goes on to look at convergence, asserting that the term 
applies to communication situations in which two individuals? symbolic worlds ?incline 
towards each other, come more closely together, or even overlap? (1982c, p. 51).   
Once these symbolic worlds overlap, one can observe the formation of a 
community, in which individuals share meanings and discuss their experiences.  
Bormann (1982c) notes that, over time, these group members will share more and more 
interpretations of worldly events and experiences, ultimately leading to shared 
interpretations of reality.  Still, a more dramatic element of SCT explains how some 
groups go beyond shared interpretations of events to holding deep emotional 
commitments to their interpretations that explain how group members move into 
identifying with each other.  This element revolves around shared group fantasies, the 
foundation of fantasy theme analysis studies. 
 While the theoretical assumptions behind SCT make sense, they lack the ability to 
completely explain how individuals come to share meanings.  However, Bales (1970) and 
Bormann (1975) bridge the gap between the theoretical assumptions and actual 
experience in noting that symbolic convergence occurs when individuals share group 
fantasies.  One of the most significant aspects of Bales? small group research is the 
category of ?tension release,? which has since been slightly altered and renamed.  
 
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Bormann (1972b) notes that the term ?tension release? later became ?dramatizes.?  Still, 
the idea of tension being released through communication (marked by a change in the 
conversation?s tempo, higher levels of intensity, and a lack of self-consciousness) has 
stayed the same.  Through multiple individuals? use of dramatizing statements, one can 
see evidence of sharing or participating in a drama.  The notion of dramatizing statements 
or messages is of interest to Bormann; the scholar compares them to inside jokes, as they 
allude to a shared group fantasy.   
Bormann (1985) states that, ?A dramatizing message is one that contains one or 
more of the following: a pun or other wordplay, a double entendre, a figure of speech, an 
analogy, an anecdote, allegory, fable, or narrative? (p. 4).  A symbolic cue lets groups 
members know that they are referring to a shared fantasy.  Bormann (1972b) notes that 
what Bales refers to as ?dramatizing? is related to a group fantasy chain, in which a 
conversation develops or ?chains out? through group discussion on something that might 
not immediately seem to be relevant to the task.  This chaining is referred to as a ?group 
fantasy chain? (Bormann, 1972a), and results in group members establishing their values, 
goals, and most preferred types of leadership.   
Although Bales (1970) provides the foundation for several of the ideas used in 
fantasy theme analyses, Bormann is responsible for expanding on this foundation and 
explaining the relevant terms.  The first important term to define is ?fantasy.? Although 
this word is commonly associated with things that have no basis in reality, it means 
something different in the context of SCT.  Bormann (1985) states that, ?The technical 
meaning for fantasy is the creative and imaginative interpretation of events that fulfills a 
psychological or rhetorical need? (p. 5).  The group or community uses the fantasy to 
 
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explain something or reinforce its way of life.  Understanding this concept before moving 
on to other fantasy theme analysis terms is critical.   
The next term of significance to this study is ?fantasy theme.?  A fantasy theme 
includes a dramatizing statement or message that depicts characters participating in an 
event removed from the here-and-now of the individuals involved in the conversation 
(Bormann, 1982c).  To explain more simply, fantasy themes refer to events from the past 
or potential events in the future.  Bormann (1972b) notes that although the drama is 
played out in a time separate from the present, it often relates to the group?s current 
situation or the relationship dynamics between group members. 
 Two final concepts of significance to fantasy theme analysis are ?fantasy types? 
and ?rhetorical visions.?  Fantasy types emerge from past fantasy themes that resulted in 
a chaining conversation.  Bormann (1985) states that, ?A fantasy type is a stock scenario 
repeated again and again by the same characters or by similar characters? (p. 7).  The 
scholar gives the example of evangelistic preachers, who often rely on stories (dramas) in 
which they are the protagonists and must overcome some sin that is keeping them away 
from spiritual enlightenment.  After identifying the common traits of a drama, a scholar is 
able to name it.  Bormann calls this example the ?Pauline conversion fantasy.?  Bormann 
(1972b, 1985) explains that these dramas are used to tie the community together and to 
encourage them to act on the group?s ideals.   
This example relates to the term rhetorical vision, which applies to fantasy themes 
that emerge from group or mass media interactions, leading individuals into sharing 
symbolic realities.  Bormann (1985) states that, ? a rhetorical vision is a unified     
putting-together of the various scripts which gives the participants a broader view of 
 
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things? (p. 8).  Rhetorical visions, therefore, are the end results of shared fantasies and 
represent a group?s sense of values. 
While some aspects of fantasy theme analysis are a result of small group 
communication and SCT research (Bales, 1970), it is apparent that Bormann is the father 
of fantasy theme analysis methodology.  Bormann (1972b, 1972c, 1985) explains the 
terminology of relevance to fantasy theme analysis.  Through years of researching 
concepts such as ?dramatizing,? ?fantasy theme,? ?fantasy type,? and ?rhetorical vision,? 
there is a clear foundation that scholars can use to conduct fantasy theme analyses and 
expand upon Bormann?s methodology.  Although other scholars have and continue to use 
fantasy theme analysis in their studies, Bormann is responsible for most of the early 
studies that use the fantasy theme analysis method.   
Early fantasy theme studies 
Fantasy theme analysis studies apply to a wide array of scholarship in areas such 
as politics, media, persuasion, organizational communication, and online communication.  
While fantasy theme analysis covers all of these areas (and a few others), Bormann?s 
early work on the subject tended to focus on politics.  For example, Bormann?s (1973) 
first study related to fantasy themes looks at the rhetorical visions of the 1972 U.S. 
presidential elections.  The scholar focuses attention on the fantasy themes used by 
McGovern, as they positioned politics as fundamental to life and did not use much satire 
or irony like other campaigns.  The scholar finds that McGovern relied heavily on the 
fantasy of a ?last chance? or turning point for American voters in the 1972 election.  Also 
of interest to Bormann is how the McGovern campaign chose to emphasize the 
candidate?s persona rather than emphasize action.  The study ultimately finds that the 
 
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emphasis placed on McGovern?s persona hurt the candidate when a fantasy began to 
chain through journalists and media viewers that McGovern?s running mate, Eagleton, 
was not emotionally stable.  This shared fantasy, coupled with McGovern?s rhetorical 
vision of a strong individual persona leading the country, greatly damaged his campaign.  
This study validated the method through finding the presence of the theoretical concepts 
developed in the years before it. 
 Not all of the fantasy theme analyses conducted by Bormann or other scholars 
require as much analysis as the Eagleton affair, as many of them are not as            
ground-breaking or applicable to this study.  Bormann, Koester, and Bennett (1978) look 
at the 1976 U.S. presidential election.  The scholars focus a great amount of attention on 
the function of political cartoons and propose that these comics and cartoons might serve 
the same role in campaigns as inside-jokes do in small groups.  By looking at the 
reactions of several respondents as a means of understanding whether they accept the 
inside-jokes (based on popular shared fantasies of each candidate displayed in political 
cartoons), Bormann, Koester, and Bennett find that the cartoons do serve as inside jokes 
in media communication.  They also find that the cartoons split the respondents into three 
political groups, and that the respondents voted in line with the rhetorical visions and 
fantasies expressed in the cartoons that they liked.  Benoit, Klyukovski, McHale, and 
Airne (2001) conducted a similar study on political cartoons about Clinton and Lewinsky.  
However, the scholars find that the nature of the cartoons did not split the population into 
different groups but instead include fantasy themes that can appeal to readers of different 
political leanings.  
 
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Bormann, Kroll, Watters, and McFarland (1984) conducted research similar to 
that of Bormann et al.?s (1978) work.  However, they do not focus on political cartoons 
and instead look at the four rhetorical visions most commonly expressed by publicists in 
the 1980 U.S. presidential election.  The scholars find that a relationship exists between 
these visions and the shared fantasies of committed voters.   
Cichy (1988) reports similar findings in a study on the 1980 North Dakota 
Gubernatorial race.  The scholar explains that voting patterns were much easier to predict 
after gaining an understanding of the fantasies shared by voters.  While these two pieces 
produce related findings, Bormann et al.?s (1984) study proves to be more useful 
theoretically because of its expansion of the discussion of symbolic cues that allude to a 
previously shared fantasy.  These cues form what is often thought of as an inside joke.  
However, the scholars explain that the symbolic cue included in a dramatizing message 
does not have to refer to something humorous in nature.  Bormann et al. (1984) state that, 
?The allusion to a previously shared fantasy may arouse tears or evoke anger, hatred, 
love, and affection as well as laughter and humor? (p. 289). 
Bormann?s (1982) study looks at the television coverage of a busy day of news 
that included Reagan?s inaugural address and the release of American hostages being 
held in Iran. The scholar finds that the fantasy type of restoration was most commonly 
used that day, to symbolize a return to a more idealized time than the current              
here-and-now conditions.  More interesting, however, is Bormann?s assertion that this 
theme of restoration used in Reagan?s address spilled into the news coverage of the 
hostage release as well.  Newscasters shared the fantasy, and it chained into other 
coverage.  The last important aspect of this study is its implications for fantasy theme 
 
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analysis as a then-new form of research.  Bormann notes that this study shows the 
usability of the method, as it can be applied to other texts besides print media and 
speeches.   
Other Scholars? Studies 
 While Bormann?s early studies of fantasy theme analysis are relevant, they tend to 
be concerned with proving that the method is effective and should be used in future 
research.  The research of other scholars illustrates how the method can be applied to 
other areas, as Bormann suggests in a study on Reagan?s inauguration day.  A great deal 
of this work comes from studies on SCT, as it relies heavily on fantasy theme analysis.   
For example, Putnam, Van Hoeven, and Bullis (1991) use fantasy theme analysis 
to look at how school districts develop their values and desires in negotiations with 
teachers.  The scholars note the importance of stories in building group fantasies that 
create common goals, heroes, and villains within the organization.  Once these 
dramatizing messages become shared fantasy themes, the members are likely to act and 
react similarly.  Another useful aspect of this article is the scholars? relating of fantasy 
themes to rites and rituals.  While rites and rituals are similar to a fantasy type, in which 
common themes are repeated, Putnam et al. use them to explain the act of bargaining, as 
it relates to negotiations.  They note that individuals bargain in particular ways and that 
fantasy themes are visible from these bargaining rituals.  One fantasy type exhibited is 
?we don?t need lawyers,? which shows the teachers? shared value of self-fulfillment 
(Putnam et al., p. 95).  The scholars ultimately find that different fantasies tie into the act 
of negotiating in the two school districts that they studied.  Finally, they note that the 
study is important because it expands fantasy theme analysis to cover ritualistic 
 
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ceremonies, such as negotiating.  Putnam et al. explain that the ideas expressed in these 
events are quite possibly a result of fantasy themes displayed in public forums and 
organizational meetings.  Bormann (1982c), Cragan & Shields, (1992) and Stone (2002) 
conducted similar studies, which support fantasy theme analysis as a means of 
understanding decision-making.   
 Bormann, Cragan, and Shields (1996), and Endres (1997) provide solid looks at 
the rhetorical vision aspect of SCT.  Using some of the concepts of fantasy theme 
analysis, they assert that all rhetorical visions adhere to a consistent life-cycle involving 
an effort to sustain consciousness by holders of the vision.  The scholars go on to discuss 
the master analogues (righteous, social, and pragmatic) behind most of the rhetorical 
visions present in the study, asserting that they prove to be effective in categorization.  
Finally, Bormann et al. note that ?rhetorical vision? is a useful term for scholars looking 
at almost any rhetorical community, as ?seemingly unrelated rhetorical visions may be 
combined into a masterful rhetorical vision providing rhetorical continuity over time? (p. 
26).  Shields (2000) expands upon these findings by noting that the critical 
autoethnography special theory?s life-cycle can be explained by the scholar?s 
understanding of rhetorical visions.   
Endres (1997) focuses less on developing the concept of rhetorical vision and 
more on finding examples of them through a fantasy theme analysis of popular examples 
of father-daughter relationships.  The scholar explains four key types of rhetorical visions 
that emerged from the fantasy theme analysis; these include ?the Buddy? and ?the 
Shadow.?  Finally, Endres suggests ways that these fantasy themes and rhetorical visions 
can be useful for counselors or parents.  Stone?s (2002) study on the motives of 
 
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individuals enrolling in master?s programs also relies on fantasy themes to find the 
overarching rhetorical visions of the new students.  Stone uses Bormann et al.?s (1996) 
three master analogues of rhetorical visions to further categorize these findings.  These 
three analogues, the pragmatic, the social, and the righteous, prove to be effective in this 
study.  Stone reports that the majority of the respondents identify with fantasy types that 
fall into the overarching category of ?righteous.?  These fantasy types are marked by 
terms such as ?strong university reputation? and ?program rigor? (Stone, 2002, p. 238).  
While not all scholars conducting fantasy theme analysis use these master analogues, 
they prove to be relevant in categorizing fantasy themes and types.    
Foss and Littlejohn (1986) and Marambio and Chew (2006) use fantasy theme 
analysis on films with great social relevance.  Not only do these studies show that films 
are useful texts for the fantasy theme method, they also provide examples of some of the 
concepts that can be applied to the method.  Foss and Littlejohn?s study on the nuclear 
war film The Day After produces interesting results by applying the concept of irony to 
the method of fantasy theme analysis.  The scholars state that, ?Irony is characterized by 
incongruity between what is expected and what occurs.  In its narrowest form, it is a 
specific figure of speech in which words express a meaning different from their literal 
denotation? (Foss & Littlejohn, p. 328).  They go on to explain why this concept is useful 
to their study.  Foss and Littlejohn note that irony requires subjects to detach themselves 
from the ironic situation in order to separate and understand the relationship of the two 
meanings (literal and intended) present.   
Foss and Littlejohn (1986), like Stone (2002), feel that analyzing the deep, 
categorical structure of fantasy themes is relevant to understanding shared realities.  The 
 
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scholars note the existence of the pragmatic, righteous, and social analogues (or 
structures), but they explain that these three terms do not cover enough concepts to be 
completely useful.  They propose that a fourth analogue, irony, is necessary.  Although 
Littlejohn and Foss do not call these three terms ?analogues? like Bormann et al. (1996), 
they ultimately are very similar concepts.  The scholars add to analogues by explaining 
the concept of deep structure.  Deep structure is ?the underlying frame in which the entire 
drama is placed? (Foss & Littlejohn, 1986, p. 328).  This expansion of the master 
analogue concept is one that still could prove to be relevant in fantasy theme studies, as it 
helps explain situations with unclear, ironic meanings.  Marambio and Tew (2006) also 
conduct a fantasy theme analysis on a film.  The scholars look at the film A Day Without 
a Mexican.  While this study does not expand Bormann?s method in the same way as 
Foss and Littlejohn?s analysis of The Day After, it does provide support for film as a 
relevant text for analysis.   
One of the most useful points from Marambio and Tew?s (2006) work is its 
acknowledgement of the ?lifestyle rhetorical vision.?  The scholars explain that this type 
of rhetorical vision, which is present in A Day Without a Mexican, is characterized by ?an 
awareness of a narrative, such as the Latino populations? awareness of the Anglo reaction 
to them? and further note that the ?notion begins to control lives, self-definitions, and self 
expression? (Marambio & Tew, 2006, p. 480).  Fantasy theme analysis provides a means 
of analyzing how the themes present in films might affect minority groups.  Marambio 
and Tew prove the significance of studying media portrayals of marginalized groups 
through fantasy theme analysis.   
 
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Ford (1989), and Novek (2005) conducted similar studies on rhetorical visions.  
Both scholars looked for fantasy themes relating to individuals who have faced personal 
vices and failures.  Ford analyzes The Big Book, which focuses on Alcoholics 
Anonymous.  The scholar explains that the rhetorical vision of ?Fetching Good Out of 
Evil? (Bormann, 1977) emerges from this book.  This vision displays the purpose of 
Alcoholics Anonymous, as it presents the group as one that shares a new, sober identity 
and common interpretation of the world around it.  Ford asserts that this study reinforces 
Bormann?s original work on fantasy themes.  As many of Alcoholics Anonymous? ideas 
emerge from Puritan and war rhetoric, evidence suggests fantasy chaining from larger 
societal groups.  This fantasy chaining shows the potential for larger groups to influence 
those that are not in power (positively and negatively) through rhetoric.  The chaining 
also shows evidence of ?a fundamental cultural rhetorical form, a form whose origins are 
deeply historical and whose manifestations in American life may be many? (Ford, 1989, 
p. 13).  Novek analyzes a newspaper produced by women in an American prison.  While 
this article ultimately seeks to show the value of journalism from society?s ?outsiders? (p. 
298), it also finds the presence of a rhetorical vision within the prison community.  
Novek explains that a fantasy theme analysis of the prisoners? newspaper shows that 
these individuals are most concerned with sharing narratives of personal transformation.  
The method of fantasy theme analysis allows the scholar to suggest that this newspaper is 
beneficial to the prisoners and should continue to be funded in the future.  It also provides 
free Americans with an opportunity to understand what prisoners actually think and 
aspire to do with their lives after prison.      
 
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Dobris and White-Mills (2006) and Endres (1989) conduct fantasy theme analyses 
to uncover rhetorical visions associated with unmarried and married motherhood.  
Although both studies are concerned with these individuals? interpretations of being 
mothers, they differ somewhat in approach.  The scholars begin their studies by searching 
for fantasy themes in texts associated with motherhood.  Endres analyzes several 
periodicals such as Ebony and Seventeen, while Dobris and White-Mills look at self-help 
books such as the What to Expect series.  Each study produces several fantasy themes.  
Dobris and White-Mills conclude that these texts serve the interests of a patriarchal 
vision of motherhood, in which women should embrace the role of child-bearer.  This 
study extends Bormann?s methods by showing that fantasy theme analysis can be used to 
highlight the ways in which some groups are marginalized.  Endres finds similar results, 
although the scholar is not writing from a feminist perspective.  The study depicts three 
types of stories that are used in describing young mothers, ranging from stories of no 
hope to stories of upward mobility.  Endres? study differs from Dobris and White-Mills? 
work because the scholar does not stop at the fantasy theme analysis step.  Endres has 64 
unmarried mothers choose imagery from these dramas that most apply to them.  This 
stage of the study shows evidence of shared symbolic realities amongst this somewhat 
scattered group of women.  The scholar notes that the study also shows the need for 
effective communication strategies between the media and the general population. 
Recent studies and new applications 
 More recently, scholars have applied fantasy theme analysis to a wider array of 
subjects.  Many of these scholars are concerned with issues of persuasion (Hester, 2000; 
Jackson, 1992; Kendall, 1993; Moran, 2002).  Hester uses the method to look at 
 
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apocalyptic religious texts.  Through analyzing these texts for fantasy themes, the scholar 
finds that apocalyptic discourse was vital in sustaining the rhetorical visions of the 
Thessalonians.  While the results of this study are not ground-breaking, it serves as a 
good example of how fantasy theme analysis methods can uncover instances of 
persuasion in most texts.  Persuasion is a common concern in fantasy theme studies, 
because individuals must possess shared worldviews and meanings in order to persuade 
others.  Fantasy theme methods allow scholars to look for the presence of shared fantasy 
types and terms in persuasive situations.  An interesting example of persuasion as the 
focus of a fantasy theme analysis comes from Moran?s look at Arthur Barlowe?s 
Discourse.  While this study is related more to history than communication, it uses 
fantasy theme methodology to explain the strategies used to bring English merchants to 
North America in the late 1500s.    
Other examples of persuasion in fantasy theme analysis come from analysis of 
corporate rhetoric and motivational books.  Kendall (1993) finds evidence of fantasy 
themes in the ?boiler plate? messages of corporate chairpersons; as they often position 
themselves in an ?us vs. them? situation.  This shows another use of the fantasy theme 
method: explaining effective and ineffective corporate rhetoric.  The method can be used 
to deconstruct this rhetoric to find its trends and potential for confusing or misleading 
employees.  Jackson (1999) uses fantasy theme analysis in similar way; the scholar 
studies Covey?s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.  Jackson finds evidence of a 
few fantasy themes relating to recurring character traits and settings that drive the 
majority of the appeal of Covey?s work.  Almost all of these examples relate to being lost 
(either in the woods or the snow) and looking for direction.  These fantasy themes are 
 
 17
examples of the dramatic elements of fantasy theme analysis, which Jackson states that 
Covey uses extensively.  Another result of this study is the scholar?s assertion that 
fantasy theme analysis is a strong methodology to use for future studies on persuasive 
rhetoric.  Jackson states that, ?Fantasy theme analysis is well positioned to monitor and 
assess the growing hybridization of religious, political and managerial that is manifested 
within contemporary popular rhetorical visions such as the one discussed in this study? 
(1999, p. 373). 
 Another new application of fantasy theme analysis is in message board and online 
forum communication.  Alem?n (2005), Duffy (2003), Myers and Andrews (2006), and 
Perry and Roesch (2004) conducted studies on Internet communities, which are of 
particular interest to this study as online discussion boards serve as an interesting 
expansion of Bormann?s early ideas.  All of these scholars find Internet communities to 
be useful sites of fantasy creation and opinion convergence.  Alem?n analyzes the 
SeniorNet discussion forum, an online community of elderly people.  Alem?n?s study and 
analysis, which relies heavily on the symbolic cues (key words such as ?knight? or 
?princess?) used by the SeniorNet members, finds several fantasy themes present in the 
forum.  Some of these themes include the knight in shining armor fantasy, which proved 
to be a site of debate for members who do not accept the traditional male-dominated love 
story, and the catching fish fantasy, which compared finding a good dating partner to 
catching a fish.  Both of these fantasies were cued by different key words and phrases, 
and there was evidence of a negotiation amongst the members for the new meaning of the 
original idea.  Alem?n notes that the different fantasies were all part of the larger 
rhetorical vision held by most of the group of ?good men are hard to find.? 
 
 18
 Perry and Roesch (2004) also use fantasy theme analysis to look at the messages 
expressed by PBS forum members after the death of Fred Rogers (also known as Mister 
Rogers).  The scholars find that many of the show?s viewers used religious fantasy 
themes such as ?sent from Heaven? in analyzing and discussing Rogers.  More interesting 
to the scholars is the potential for the program?s values to have a long-term effect on the 
viewers, as there is evidence of this based on the fantasy themes expressed by these 
Internet users.  This study shows the ability of fantasy theme analysis to find examples of 
long-term change in communities. 
 Myers and Andrews (2006) use fantasy theme analysis methods in studying the 
Technodyke forums.  These scholars search for fantasy themes within the conversations 
of young, technologically-savvy lesbians.  Although Myers and Andrews are more 
concerned with setting themes (where a drama takes place) than most scholars, they 
produce interesting results.  Myers and Andrews assert that the individuals who use 
Technodyke?s forums use story-telling as a means of problem solving and group 
identification.  The scholars explain that the members of Technodyke?s forums tend to 
discuss their feelings of marginalization, as they express a longing for ?home? in the 
forums as opposed to the ?real world,? where their lifestyles are not accepted.  In this 
case, fantasy theme analysis helps explain the groups? shared feelings on the outside 
world and its heroes and villains.  Bormann?s methods show that some members of the 
lesbian community feel oppressed by the more prevalent heteronormative social 
conditions and only feel free to express their views in Internet forums.  Finally, this study 
suggests that issues of identity and misidentification are of significance to the users of the 
Technodyke forums, as most conversations are related to those topics. 
 
 19
 The collection of fantasy theme analysis studies after the 1990s suggests the 
usability of the method.  While many of the studies mentioned in this section of the 
literature review relate to Bormann?s early work on small groups and persuasion 
(Jackson, 1999; Kendall, 1993), they prove to expand upon earlier work by showing how 
businesses use rhetoric to create shared fantasies amongst employees.  Also in recent 
years, fantasy theme analysis scholars have analyzed Internet communities (Alem?n, 
2005; Duffy, 2000; Myers and Andrews, 2006; Perry and Roesch, 2004).  This 
development allows for a new approach to fantasy theme analysis, in which the unit of 
analysis is a group of real individuals.  The results of scholars such as Alem?n and Perry 
and Roesch prove the effectiveness of studying Internet groups, as they find evidence of 
multiple fantasy themes occurring within forum communication.  A great amount of the 
results published by fantasy theme analysis scholars who focus on the Internet relate to 
individuals attempting to reduce uncertainty about their surroundings.   
Uncertainty Reduction Theory 
 This thesis focuses on the emergence of fantasy themes in the online 
communication of medical students who are unsure not only of the field that they are 
entering but also of the individuals with whom they are communicating.  Therefore it is 
useful to look at scholarship on socialization within groups.  A relevant body of research 
to study comes from uncertainty reduction theory, a theory concerned with the ways in 
which individuals reduce uncertainty in groups.  Most of the research on this theory 
applies to organizational and group cultures, particularly focusing on small group 
communication.  As forum communication takes place between individuals who possess 
 
 20
uncertainty, and each forum has a unique culture, this research relates directly to the 
study at hand.     
Scholars such as Berger (1979), Berger and Calabrese (1975), Clatterbuck (1979), 
and Gudykunst (1983, 1985) are responsible for the early development of uncertainty 
reduction theory.  Berger and Calabrese develop the framework as an interpersonal 
communication theory.  The scholars find that individuals who experience uncertainty 
will try to reduce that uncertainty by seeking information from others.  As these 
individuals communicate more, levels of uncertainty decline.   
Kramer (1999) explains that it is not just individuals who communicate more 
when experiencing uncertainty.  Entire organizations and groups of all sizes communicate 
more when challenging and confusing conditions arise.  Gudykunst (1983) notes that 
once an individual reduces uncertainty about another person, culture, or organization, his 
or her level of attraction for that person or group will increase.   
Sometimes multiple individuals or groups converge in order to reduce feelings of 
uncertainty.  Clatterbuck (1979) explains that individuals gather to share information so 
that they can make the most effective decisions possible.  Sharing information also leads 
to higher levels of personal and career confidence.  Clatterbuck states that, ?For the 
individual, reducing uncertainty and increasing attributional confidence become 
synonymous? (p. 148).  In order for this to happen, though, individuals must ask effective 
questions and disclose accurate and useful information about themselves to the 
individuals with whom they are communicating (Gudykunst, 1983).  There are a few 
ways in which individuals reduce uncertainty.  Berger expands uncertainty reduction 
theory by suggesting the presence of three strategies to increase certainty.  The scholar 
 
 21
explains that individuals use passive strategies such as social comparison and reactivity 
searches, active strategies such as questioning and observing others? environments, and 
interactive strategies such as questioning and disclosing personal information.  All of 
these strategies serve the purpose of uncovering potentially deceptive or misleading 
communication maneuvers.      
The roles of high- and low-context communication in uncertainty reduction  
 Low- and high-context cultures are of great significance to uncertainty reduction 
theory (Gudykunst, 1983; Gudykunst & Nishida, 1984).  Gudykunst explains that       
low-context cultures are characterized by communication in which central messages are 
stated more directly.  In high-context cultures, the central message is less obvious and is 
more easily observed in the actual context of the conversation rather than in the 
conversation itself.  Gudykunst also notes that high-context communicators tend to 
internalize the meanings of their messages and are ?more cautious in what they talk about 
with strangers than people from low-context cultures? (1983, p. 51).  Gundykunst 
observes the ways in which factors such as interrogative strategy, background similarity, 
nonverbal behavior, and personal similarity affect the amount of disclosure and 
attributional confidence in individuals.  The scholar?s findings suggest that individuals in 
high-context cultures are more judgmental of other individuals based on their first 
interaction and generally prefer not to disclose much about themselves.  An individual?s 
personal background is very important to high-context communicators.   
The findings of Gudykunst and Nishida?s (1984) and Gudykunst?s (1985) study 
are similar.  Gudykunst and Nishida find further support for the relevance of low- and 
high-context cultures in uncertainty reduction.  They note that attitude similarity between 
 
 22
individuals proves to affect their levels of attraction but does not relate to the individuals? 
use of uncertainty reduction strategies.  However, the scholars explain that cultural 
similarity does influence individuals? likelihood of using uncertainty reduction strategies.  
Gudykunst?s (1985) study asserts the validity of these findings, while adding to the body 
of research.   The scholar notes that the type of relationship between two individuals is 
significant in predicting the strategies the communicators will use to reduce uncertainty 
about the environment or task at hand.  
Applications of uncertainty reduction studies 
    Scholars such as Berger (1979) and Gudykunst (1983, 1985) were vital to the 
development of uncertainty reduction theory.  However, these scholars tended to be 
concerned with establishing the relevance of the method while expanding its usability 
rather than applying it to social situations.  In the mid-1980s other scholars became more 
interested in the theory and began to apply it to group and organizational settings              
(Booth-Butterfield, Booth-Butterfield & Koester, 1988; Douglas, 1990; Nowak & Rauh, 
2006; Sheer & Cline, 1995).  These studies serve as examples of the situations to which 
uncertainty reduction theory can be applied.  Several of these studies add new ideas and 
concepts to the theory. 
 Booth-Butterfield et al. (1988) apply uncertainty reduction methods to small 
groups that must complete a task.  The scholars? analysis of these groups focuses on the 
concept of primary tension.  Bormann (1975), states that primary tension is ?the social 
unease and stiffness that accompanies getting acquainted? (p. 181-182).                   
Booth-Butterfield et al. find that primary tension plays a large role in the interaction of 
individuals in a group setting.  The scholars explain that  instances in which primary 
 
 23
tension arises lead to increased use of uncertainty reduction strategies.  Interestingly, 
Booth-Butterfield et al. assert that their respondents were not able to consistently identify 
moments of shared primary tension and instead relied upon descriptions of their 
individual feelings about the group.  The scholars report that, although sometimes 
difficult to identify, levels of primary tension were typically lowered when respondents 
used uncertainty reduction methods.  This study is significant not only because it finds 
evidence of the effectiveness of uncertainty reduction theory, but also because it adds a 
new construct to the method: primary tension.   
 Douglas? (1990) study of college students meeting for the first time produces two 
significant findings.  The scholar finds that, different from the results of some studies, 
uncertainty reduction involves a decrease in the respondents? question-asking but an 
increase in the respondents? levels of self-disclosure.  These findings suggest that 
methods of reducing uncertainty are different for some individuals and cultures.  Finally, 
Douglas? work reinforces early studies of uncertainty reduction which assert that social 
attraction and uncertainty are inversely related.   
 Sheer and Cline (1995) and Nowak and Rauh (2006) expand upon uncertainty 
reduction theory with their looks at two unique groups.  Sheer and Cline analyze the 
methods of uncertainty reduction used in physician-patient relationships.  Some factors 
that become important in this discussion are relational uncertainty and medical setting 
uncertainty.  Sheer and Cline note that relational uncertainty in a doctor-patient situation 
is different than in most uncertainty reduction studies because patients understand the 
purpose of the relationship with their doctors.  Sheer and Cline (1995) state that, ?In 
doctor-patient interaction, the patient?s primary concern is seeking diagnosis and 
 
 24
treatment to reduce illness uncertainty? (p. 48).  In this setting, patients are unsure of how 
they should seek information from their doctors.  In addition to identifying several new 
ways of studying uncertainty reduction, the scholars also examine their respondents? 
perceptions on the adequacy of the information in their doctor-patient relationships.  
Sheer and Cline explain that the level of perceived information adequacy serves as a 
strong predictor of the patient?s ?post-visit illness uncertainty? (p. 44).  Ultimately, the 
scholars explain that their methods prove to be reliable and assert that they should be 
used in future uncertainty reduction studies. 
 Uncertainty reduction studies cover a wide array of topics. Many of the studies 
included in this section of the literature represent the foundations of this area of research.  
Scholars such as Berger (1979) and Gudykunst (1983) are especially important to the 
theory?s development, as they explain how individuals reduce uncertainty.  Gudykunst 
even discusses how individuals reduce uncertainty based on the context of their 
surrounding cultures.  In more recent years, these scholars? foundations have led to 
studies on uncertainty in specific relationships, such as Sheer and Cline?s (1995) look at 
doctor-patient relationships.  The study of uncertainty reduction within specific groups 
lends itself to organizational scholarship, as it can be applied to the topic of 
organizational socialization. 
Organizational Socialization and Uncertainty Reduction 
 Organizational socialization scholars have conducted many useful studies in areas 
such as higher education, nursing, and general commercial business. 
 
 
 
 25
Early Organizational Socialization Research  
  Evan?s (1963) look at peer-group interaction in industries is one of the first 
studies conducted on organizational socialization.  The scholar focuses on the 
relationship between the number of people in a training group for new organizational 
members and the drop-out rate for these trainees.  Evan?s research suggests many things 
that are still relevant to the socialization process.  Evan states that, ?As a special type of 
primary group ? one which consists of individuals occupying statuses of equal rank ? the 
peer group can uniquely perform the function of reducing strains and alleviating 
tensions? (1963, p. 439).  This is important, as it asserts that individuals are not 
necessarily comfortable with having to constantly perform for individuals who hold a 
higher organizational rank than them.  In explaining the significance of the peer group to 
organizational socialization, Evan notes that the size of the group is also a factor.  The 
scholar finds that individuals who are part of a group with three or more members tend to 
stay in training programs longer than isolates, who tend to stay in training programs 
longer than members of dyads.  Evan explains that the ?buddy system? (one-on-one 
training) is problematic because the trainee has a fifty/fifty chance of finding his or her 
trainer to be uncongenial.   
While Evan?s (1963) study proves to be important in explaining how numbers in 
peer-group socialization, it did not spawn a great amount of organizational socialization 
studies in the 1960s.  Organizational socialization became a more prevalent area of 
research in the late 1970s with influential articles from Wanous (1977) and Van Maanen 
and Schein (1979).  Wanous? study looks at organizational entry from the position of an 
individual entering an organization.  The scholar explains that the perceptions of the 
 
 26
individual entering an organization often are not realistic, as they tend not to match the 
expectations of the employer.  Wanous goes on to discuss the problems with the then-
new area of research.  Wanous claims that too many factors explain why individuals 
choose organizations, but not enough of them are based in clear reasoning.  For example, 
the scholar notes that most individuals do not have enough information before joining an 
organization; they certainly have not been socialized beforehand.   
According to the article, the only accurate information that most individuals 
possess when looking at organizations is related to employee pay rates, tuition costs, or 
number of hours in an average work day.  Wanous (1977) ends this piece by urging 
scholars to continue studying the relationship between insider and outsider expectations, 
as this dichotomy is one of the greatest sources of confusion for individuals when making 
an organizational choice.  Wanous? scholarship serves as a useful introduction on 
questions of organizational entry and socialization.  While Wanous ultimately concludes 
that individuals do not follow a set ?path? when entering an organization, the scholar 
suggests that realistic job expectations need to be communicated to potential applicants.  
Open communication between employers and applicants will reduce organizational 
turnover and lead to better decisions by the applicants. 
Van Maanen and Schein (1979) provide a useful explanation of the process of 
organizational socialization.  The scholars assert that the process involves newcomers 
acquiring the necessary knowledge to become effective members of an organization.  
Some of the things that are relevant in organizational socialization include the 
organization?s culture, customs, jargon, and things of importance and insignificance.  
While this article explains what organizational socialization is and why it is important for 
 
 27
both the organization and the job applicant, it does not account for communication?s role 
in the process as much as other models (Bullis, 1993).    
Jablin (1987) explains organizational socialization as a process with multiple 
stages that a newcomer must experience.  The scholar lists these stages as anticipatory 
socialization, assimilation, and exit.  The process is also cyclical, as newcomers use the 
knowledge that they obtain from previous periods of socialization when searching for 
new jobs and anticipating the socialization processes that new employers will present.  
The scholar explains anticipatory socialization as a process in which a newcomer 
considers the situation and culture that he or she will be entering upon joining an 
organization.  The second part of this process, assimilation, notes that an individual is 
integrated into an organization?s unique culture.  Finally, the exit stage simply refers to 
an individual leaving an organization.  Although scholars such as Clair (1996) find 
problems with the stage-model approach to organizational socialization, it has provided 
effective results for other scholars interested in the process of socialization.     
Other scholars explain organizational socialization based on storytelling and 
memorable messages (Brown, 1985; Davis, 2005; Stohl, 1986).  Brown asserts that 
stories play a meaningful role in the socialization of a new organizational member.  The 
scholar notes that the themes that are present in stories told within an organization show 
the presence of shared values amongst workers.  Brown states that stories and shared 
themes ?can be used by organizational members to define situations. Defining situations, 
or sense-making, is particularly salient for members in the initial stages of the 
socialization process as they encounter a variety of unfamiliar circumstances and stimuli? 
(1985, p. 28).  The scholar ultimately finds a relationship between story-telling and 
 
 28
organizational socialization.  Brown explains that as individuals in the study were 
socialized by the organization, the themes and values expressed in their stories reflected 
the themes and values of the organization.  Story-telling also proved to be a way in which 
individuals expressed uncertainty about events or situations of significance to the 
organization. 
Stohl?s (1986) research, while not directly related to storytelling, is similar to the 
work of Brown (1985).  Stohl?s look at an organization reveals that all of the members of 
the organization included in the study were able to recall one particular message that 
influenced their work lives for the rest of their careers.  The scholar explains that these 
memorable messages tended to contain information on the organization?s values, 
expectations, and unique culture.  In effect, these messages tell the employees how they 
should act and what behaviors and beliefs are valuable to the organization.  Finally, Stohl 
notes that these messages prove to be significant for new members seeking to make sense 
of their new jobs.  For these individuals, the stories provided examples of what is 
appropriate communication within the organization.   
Davis (2005) analyzes the role that storytelling plays within organizational 
orientation programs.  Davis states that stories and narratives have ?an important role in 
all aspects of human interaction, including organizational communication where they 
offer a vehicle for imparting an organization?s history, mission, goals, and values to 
organizational newcomers? (2005, p. 128).  The scholar notes that storytelling is 
significant to the socialization of newcomers, it is an area of research that is ultimately 
underrepresented by organizational socialization scholars.  Davis? piece expands the area 
of organizational socialization by comparing the stories used by organizations to the 
 
 29
rhetoric used in sermonic discourse.  Davis explains that like sermons, organizational 
orientations involve a rhetor asking the audience to act in certain ways.  The rhetor is also 
known to actively construct shared values and meanings, while educating the listeners on 
the history and foundations of the organization (church or business) that he or she 
represents.  The scholar concludes by noting that organizational narratives and stories 
help increase the likelihood that newcomers will understand the values and beliefs of 
their new environments and will be less likely to quit during regular employment 
circumstances. 
Recent Organizational Socialization Studies 
 Organizational socialization scholarship covers a large number of topics and 
industries.  Based on the foundations of research established by scholars such as Evan 
(1963) and Van Maanen and Schein (1979), scholars have moved into areas such as 
teams and groups, academia, and health organizations.  
Organizational socialization and teams/groups 
 As health scholars such as Glen and Waddington (1998) and Taromina and Law 
(2000) note, it is important for organizations to offer a group of employees with whom 
new employees can interact and ask questions.  Several organizational scholars (Cooper-
Thomas & Anderson, 2002; Fritz, 1997; Hartley, 1997; Lois, 1999) have written pieces 
that apply to the notion of team-building within the socialization process.  Hartley 
explains that organizations should strive to build communicative teams that allow for 
open communication and new ideas.  The scholar also notes that it is difficult for this to 
happen when members of the organization stick to a strict hierarchy and are not 
accessible to share information.  Lois? research reinforces Hartley?s claims.  Using 
 
 30
ethnographic methods, Lois finds that for new members of a voluntary search and rescue 
group to reach ?core? membership within the group, they must show interest in the 
collective goals of the group rather than on their own heroic goals.  The scholar also finds 
support for a layered model of socialization, in which individuals excel at some aspects 
of an organization but do not have interest in other aspects. This type of group 
membership does not follow a linear path.  Finally, Fritz?s study also reinforces the need 
for strong group communication in organizational socialization.  However, this scholar?s 
work focuses more on the differences in work relationships shared by women and men.  
Fritz states that women?s relationships tend to be stronger than men?s, as women are 
often able to network more quickly and effectively.  The scholar uses this as an example 
of why organizations must build strong group relationships and should perhaps institute 
peer-mentoring programs to facilitate the process. 
Socialization and universities 
 Several scholars have conducted studies on colleges and universities with varying 
levels of success (Bach, 1990; Bullis, 1993; Cawyer & Friedrich, 1998; Clair, 1993; 
Trowler & Knight, 1999).  These articles vary in approach, as some scholars focus on the 
sense-making techniques used by university faculty while others focus on the ways that 
college students understand role expectations when leaving college for the ?real world? 
(Clair).  While these pieces bear similarities to other organizational socialization articles, 
they tend to separate themselves by noting the negative aspects of socialization in the 
work place. 
 Cawyer and Friedrich (1998), and Trowler and Knight (1999) study issues 
associated with the socialization of new and existing university faculty.  Cawyer and 
 
 31
Friedrich focus on the socialization processes of several communication departments in 
American institutions.  The scholars find that the amount of time the department spends 
orienting newcomers is directly related to the amount of satisfaction expressed by the 
new faculty members.  The findings suggest that the job interview is an even better 
predictor of satisfaction; however, it is apparent that individuals experience less 
satisfaction upon entering the organization and realizing that the amount of time spent 
with colleagues is limited.  Cawyer and Friedrich state that, ?Apparently entry, unlike the 
job interview, is characterized by limited interactions between the newcomer and 
organizational members and by ambiguity concerning institutional expectations? (p. 242).  
Finally, the scholars suggest that institutions of higher education could provide a more 
satisfying environment for new faculty by presenting a realistic look at the new 
employee?s day-to-day job roles and expectations.   
 Trowler and Knight (1999) depart from the approach used by Cawyer and 
Friedrich, as it still asserts the significance of a stage-model approach of socialization.  
Trowler and Knight suggest that university socialization is problematic in that it relies on 
approaches to socialization created by organizational scholars.  According to Trowler and 
Knight, this leaves universities with a corporatist view of socialization that does not 
necessarily fit the nature of academic work.  Instead, these scholars suggest that 
universities should break away from the formal business approach to socialization and 
instead allow more opportunities for newcomers to regularly discuss their questions and 
concerns with more experienced faculty.  Trowler and Knight also note that it is 
important for the institution?s culture to evolve with the new ideas and values expressed 
by new faculty members.  The scholars explain that the university should not completely 
 
 32
change its vision based on the opinions of newcomers, but in many instances fresh 
perspectives allow for positive institutional changes. 
Bach (1990) and Clair (1996) are concerned with issues related to the 
socialization of college students.  Bach explains that socialization is important to 
communication research, as it allows for a better understanding of ?what is expected for 
?appropriate? socialization? (p. 54).  Through communication, newcomers demonstrate 
their knowledge of the organization.  In noting that aspect of newcomer socialization, the 
scholar acknowledges the main goal of the study: to observe trends in the socialization of 
university students through their communication patterns.  Bach?s research participants, a 
group of sorority members provide excellent examples of this complicated process.  
Findings show that these individuals are expected to change their behavior upon 
committing to a ?house.?  Before choosing a house, these individuals are expected to 
express their unique personalities, but upon making a choice they are expected to 
demonstrate that they understand the appropriate behavior and ideals of the sorority.  The 
scholar notes that after a four-month pledge period, the individuals tend to exhibit that 
they have been socialized and are allowed the formal status of being members of the 
sorority.  Bach finds support for realistic job previews in stating that it is likely that an 
individual will join the company or organization that ?provides her with guidelines for 
behavior within the organization prior to entry.  Information about an organization made 
available to a newcomer who is about to enter will make the transition process easier, 
providing the information accurately reflects the organization?s philosophy? (p. 61).  The 
scholar concludes by explaining that realistic socialization of individuals from the start 
helps provide a positive public face for the organization, as it minimizes the level of 
 
 33
surprise experienced by newcomers.  These individuals, in turn, are less likely to feel 
disappointed by their experiences within the organization. 
Clair?s (1996) look at college students? communication about ?real jobs? focuses 
on Jablin?s (1987) stage-model approach to socialization.  The scholar notes that Jablin?s 
process, which includes anticipatory socialization, assimilation, and exit, has produced 
useful findings in the area of organizational communication.  Clair, however, chooses to 
look past this stage model to instead concentrate on the ways in which individuals 
communicate about work.  The article looks at colloquialisms, which Clair defines as 
?informal and familiar speech forms that have the status of clich?? (p. 252).  It is possible 
that through colloquialisms, employers can control the nature of work, as they control 
what one considers to be work.  Through questioning college students on their definitions 
of terms such as ?real work? and the ?real world,? the scholar finds that the anticipatory 
stage of socialization devalues the work that students do before entering an organization.  
While Clair acknowledges the benefits of the stage approach, this aspect proves to be 
problematic to the scholar.  Clair explains that the stage model unfairly supports 
organizations, as it does not give much time to the individual?s side of being socialized 
into an organization. 
Socialization and health organizations 
 Although it is not a large area of organizational socialization research, it is 
relevant to look at a few studies on socialization in health organizations.  Scholars such as 
Glen and Waddington (1998), Settoon and Adkins (1997), and Taormina and Law (2000) 
are influential in this area.  These scholars? studies tend to focus on new hires in the 
nursing department of various health-related organizations.  While their settings are not 
 
 34
exactly the same, the results are similar.  Settoon and Adkins look at new employees in a 
mental health facility.  These scholars observed the employees twice, once near the 
beginning of their employment and then six months later.  The scholars find the 
sensemaking process to be especially interesting; they explain that the new employees 
used their family and friends for guidance and advice heavily at the beginning of their 
employment.  However, six months later, they relied much more heavily on their 
coworkers and bosses.  Settoon and Adkins note that this shows evidence of the new 
employees not feeling like insiders, so they did not feel comfortable talking about the 
organization with organization members at first. 
 Like Settoon and Adkins (1997), Glen and Waddington (1998) suggest that 
employees need strong support from their co-workers.  Glen and Waddinton?s analysis of 
a group of nurses undergoing the role transition from staff nurse to clinical nurse 
specialist shows evidence of a lack of information for these individuals as they undergo 
the difficult change.  Taromina and Law?s (2000) research on burnout in Japanese nurses 
also note the importance of coworkers support for individuals under a high amount of 
stress.  They also state that interpersonal skills need to be continually developed by 
organizations, as these skills help to keep the nurses? confidence levels high. 
While many topics are discussed in this literature review, they are all significant 
to this thesis.  The early and continued development of fantasy theme analysis by 
Bormann and other scholars is of the greatest importance, but it lends itself to the 
discussion of many other topics.  In recent years, fantasy theme analysis has moved into 
Internet forum communication with studies by scholars such as Alem?n (2005) and Perry 
and Roesch (2004).  Because these Internet forums are organizations in themselves, 
 
 35
members may encounter standard organizational procedures such as a lengthy 
socialization processes.  Also, some studies (Alem?n) show evidence of Internet 
communicators attempting to reduce uncertainty about the group by the statements that 
they make.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 36
III. RESEARCH QUESTIONS 
Recent fantasy theme analyses suggest that individuals sometimes turn to the 
Internet to ask questions and discuss issues that they are not comfortable discussing with 
their family and friends.  However, it is unclear as to how individuals entering (or already 
in) a profession communicate and discuss issues on the Internet.  This could provide 
more realistic results, as there is a higher comfort level associated with the relative 
anonymity of the Internet.  There is potential for shared views and understandings, as 
Internet forum members discuss such a wide variety of topics together.  While other 
fantasy theme analyses (Alem?n, 2005; Perry & Roesch, 2004) of Internet groups look at 
only one topic, such as romance, this thesis is concerned more with themes and visions 
that community members share on all topics of conversations.  Based on the results 
presented within the literature review, I will look for fantasy themes and an overarching 
rhetorical vision that might emerge in the forum discussions within the SDN community.  
Research Questions 
 
1. Do fantasy themes about becoming a doctor emerge within conversations on the SDN 
Forums?  If so, what are these themes?  
2. If themes emerge, how are heroes and villains defined, and are there common settings 
where their acts take place?  
3. Are rhetorical visions present in the SDN Forums? 
If yes, 
 
 37
A) What shared values do the members exhibit? 
B) What shared goals are expressed? 
C) What shared fears are identified? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 38
IV. METHODOLOGY 
Background on SDN as a research site 
 
The SDN Forums were a natural choice for this thesis for a number of reasons.  
As the SDN Forums focus on a particular type of organization (medical), they provide 
plenty of conversations related to organizational socialization and what individuals 
expect when entering an organization.  Also, the SDN Forums serve as an organization in 
themselves, as each forum is moderated and the members hold different statuses.  Finally, 
the SDN Forums are important to me on a personal level, as I began my undergraduate 
education as a Pre-Medical major.  I found myself deeply engaged in the conversations 
held by the members of the forums. 
The SDN Forums provide a consistent population of individuals interested in 
communicating about medical school and everyday life.  Because the SDN Forums are 
open to anyone interested in participating in the conversations, they are also available for 
anyone to read with or without joining the community.  This openness is beneficial to the 
current fantasy theme analysis because it allows me to read and catalogue conversations 
from the same community members on a variety of topics.  The open nature of this public 
Internet forum is also beneficial because the communicators are willing participants in a 
public media text that is catalogued not only by the forum itself but also by search 
engines such as Google.   
 
 39
The ?Usage Policies? section of the SDN Forums ensures that members of the 
SDN Forums understand the public nature of their conversations.  This page states that, 
?Once you've posted on the site, it's there forever. We do not delete posts except in 
extreme cases.  Even if we can remove a post that you regret posting, they are often 
permanently cataloged in sites like Google or the Internet Archive? (vBulletin FAQ, 
n.d.).  To gain posting rights on the SDN Forums, individuals must agree to these usage 
policies.  The SDN Forums posters? comments are accessible by anyone and using them 
does not require the approval of an Institutional Review Board.   
The SDN Forums? ?Usage Policies? further detail the open nature of posting on 
the Internet.  The policies state to ?avoid using your real name as your screen name.  
Remember, the SDN Forums are read by students, faculty, advisors and administrators 
from around the world.  Unless you want everyone to know who you are, keep your 
identity protected? (vBulletin FAQ, n.d.).  Because the SDN Forums management clearly 
explains that these communicators? screen names are visible to the general public, I will 
use the screen names provided by the posters when quoting posts.  All names will be 
italicized to distinguish them from regular text in this thesis. 
Perry and Roesch (2004) conduct their fantasy theme analysis in a similar 
manner, by documenting the names and ages (as this is relevant to their research) used by 
individuals discussing Mister Rogers? death.  Alem?n (2005), however, uses pseudo 
screen names for SeniorNet discussion board members because these individuals often 
use their real names for their screen names, which presents ethical problems for the 
researcher.  While there is potential for SDN Forums users to provide their first and last 
names as their screen names, this has not occurred in the hundreds of posts that I have 
 
 40
analyzed in my research.  In the event of an SDN Forums poster uses his or her real 
name, I will change his or her screen name and note the change with an asterisk and brief 
explanation.   
Method of analysis 
 
In analyzing the SDN Forums, I will apply many of the terms used by Bormann 
and the other scholars mentioned in the literature review.  Alem?n?s (2005) study on the 
Internet communication of a forum dedicated to senior citizens provides the framework 
for a large part of my study. Alem?n?s method is useful because it successfully analyzes a 
large number of posts from an Internet community.  Through the analysis of hundreds of 
posts, the scholar is able to identify several fantasies shared by the group.  Alem?n leaves 
little doubt that the group shares these fantasies, as the scholar provides multiple excerpts 
from actual forum conversations for each fantasy.  In addition to providing real posts and 
counter-posts from members of the forum, Alem?n explains the significance of these 
conversations.  The scholar identifies the most important aspects of fantasy theme 
analysis presented by Bormann, such as symbolic cues and fantasy chains.   
Although most scholars do the same thing in their studies, they sometimes 
incorporate too many of Bormann?s terms.  As Mohrmann (1982) notes, some scholars 
use the terms ?fantasy theme,? ?fantasy type,? and ?fantasy? interchangeably.  Alem?n?s 
study minimizes its use of fantasy theme analysis terminology in a way that makes the 
results more focused and easy to follow.  While Alem?n?s idea of focusing the majority 
of a fantasy theme analysis on identifying shared fantasies based on symbolic cues and 
fantasy chains is the most effective approach for this thesis, my research will sometimes 
require the use of terminology not used by Alem?n. 
 
 41
Other scholars have incorporated Internet discussions into their fantasy theme 
analyses, but their works were not solely focused on forum communication.  However, 
Perry and Roesch?s (2004) research prove to be relevant to this study of the SDN Forums.  
The scholars? analysis of Internet tributes to the late Mister Rogers shows the benefit in 
looking for the character traits that forum users attribute to individuals.  This group of 
individuals loved Mister Rogers, and Perry and Roesch?s study shows the ways in which 
the television star?s personal traits influenced their understanding of reality.  The 
recognition of heroic traits is especially important when studying pre-medical students 
who aspire to reach a higher level and attribute great merit to individuals who practice 
medicine.  Another way that Perry and Roesch influence this thesis is their focus on 
individual posts from Internet users, rather than back-and-forth conversations.  This 
approach can be useful in some instances.  For example, situations occur in which one 
post from an individual takes place deep within a thread and is ignored within that 
conversation.  However, other individuals might make this same point in different 
threads.  Evidence suggests a shared fantasy theme within the forums; it just did not 
occur within the same conversation.  While writing this thesis, the forums included over 
130,000 members, with almost 37,000 of them being active members who post on a 
regular basis (Student Doctor Network Forums, n.d.)  Because the SDN Forums boast a 
large community of individuals who post in multiple threads, it is likely that these 
individuals read a great number of posts to which they do not immediately reply.  If they 
make the same points later, the community likely shares a rhetorical vision.  This, like 
Perry and Roesch?s study, suggests that posts do not have to appear in the same 
conversation to show evidence of shared fantasies. 
 
 42
Ultimately Alem?n (2005) provides a solid framework for this study.  Although 
Alem?n?s methods of finding rhetorical visions and fantasy themes within an Internet 
forum are effective and influence the methods used in this thesis, a few areas of the 
scholar?s work need to be expanded for a proper analysis of the SDN Forums.  Alem?n 
only analyzed the ?discussion board? entitled ?Meeting New People? on the SeniorNet 
forums.  This ?discussion board? consisted of 560 posts and lasted about thirty-one days.  
The scholar?s explanation of the discussion board implies that the term is incorrect based 
on Internet terminology used today.  Instead, the scholar is referring to a ?thread,? or one 
long conversation, not an actual ?discussion board,? in which individuals can post 
multiple topics for discussion.   
This thesis will analyze multiple discussions, instead of one long discussion.  
These discussions might not have 500+ posts (most discussions on the SDN Forums do 
not last that long), but they will contain at least 20 posts from more than three individuals 
to be considered as examples of a shared fantasy.  These numbers are not arbitrary; 
instead, they are a reflection of the examples provided by Alem?n and my pre-test 
analysis of over forty separate discussions on the SDN Forums.  A shared fantasy is 
marked by the use of similar symbolic cues and acknowledgment of past events by 
multiple individuals.  If a discussion only lasts for eight to twelve posts from merely two 
individuals, its effect is too small to be considered as relevant.  In this sense, the large 
post numbers in the thread used by Alem?n are very useful.  At the same time, examples 
of multiple discussions prove the prominence and penetration level of a group fantasy.  
Finally, the fantasy theme methodology creates the opportunity to return to previous 
threads if it is apparent that their results could help expand upon a more recent thread.  
 
 43
This is important, as it is possible that I will not fully understand the relevance of the first 
few threads that I read until I have finished reading all of my selected threads. 
Definition of terms 
 
 As noted earlier, I use a few terms differently from the terminology used by 
Alem?n (2005).  For example, each unique discussion on the SDN Forums will be called 
a ?thread.?  It is the term used by the SDN Forums management and by most other 
popular Internet forums.  Separate conversations that occur within a thread will not be 
categorized as new threads but as new fantasy chains.  A thread refers only to a 
conversation topic listed on the main page of the forum; it possesses a title decided upon 
by a member of the SDN Forums and implies a certain direction that the conversation 
should follow.  The next significant term is ?board.? This term can be used 
synonymously with forum and describes a section of the SDN Forums.  For example, 
members of the SDN Forums can have discussions in boards such as ?Pre-Allopathic? 
(for future medical doctors) to ?All-Students? (for any member of the SDN Forums to 
discuss any topic).   
This study will follow Alem?n?s (2005) example in two other popular Internet 
forum terms, ?post? and ?poster.?  A post is a comment in a thread from a member of a 
forum.  Posts are permanent but can be deleted by forum moderators.  The poster is 
simply an individual who makes a post within a thread.   The final term of relevance is 
?status.?  Alem?n does not reference this term, but it is important to the SDN Forums 
because it displays the academic progress of a poster.  Statuses range from ?Medical 
Student? to ?Pre-Medical? to ?Resident,? etc.  Not only are these statuses useful for 
members of the SDN Forums who wish to network, but they also provide the posters? 
 
 44
backgrounds.  The pre-test for this study shows evidence of SDN Forums members 
attributing extra credibility to posts made by individuals with statuses such as ?Attendee? 
or ?Resident,? as these individuals have finished medical school and can provide more 
substantial advice.  Although individuals could create false identities or statuses on the 
SDN Forums, the moderating staff generally makes sure that the flow of information 
includes correct, timely advice.  For the purposes of Alem?n?s and Perry and Roesch?s 
studies, the scholars accepted the ages and sexes provided by the individuals they 
researched.  This method is the best way to handle the potential issue, as forum 
moderators tend to ban or delete the accounts of individuals who are proven to be 
intentionally deceptive.   
Definitions of the fantasy theme analysis terms that I will be using in this study 
are also necessary.  The first important concept to understand is ?dramatizing message.?  
A dramatizing message is marked by a pun, an analogy, a story, etc. (Bormann, 1985).  
Alem?n notes that finding dramatizing messages is the first part of doing a fantasy theme 
analysis.  The scholar states that, ?If other members accept, extend, and collaborate in the 
continued dramatizing of that message, the critic can identify a fantasy chain? (p. 8).  
This criterion is significant because if a group member tells a joke or tries to start a 
discussion and no one accepts the joke, then the dramatizing message has failed and has 
no impact on group consciousness.  Fantasy themes are not present in this situation.   
Once again, dramatizing messages and their resulting fantasy chains must be 
separate from the here-and-now conditions of the world (Bormann, 1972b).  They must 
refer to either a situation from the past or future.  I will be looking primarily for fantasy 
themes in the conversations of these Internet users.  I am working from Bormann?s 
 
 45
original theoretical work and Alem?n?s (2005) more recent work, so both of their 
definitions of the term ?fantasy theme? are relevant.  Bormann (1982c) states that, ?A 
fantasy theme consists of a dramatizing message in which characters enact an incident or 
a series of incidents in a setting somewhere other than the here-and-now of the people 
involved in the communication episode? (p. 52).  Therefore, I will analyze the content of 
the dramatizing messages.  Bormann also notes (1985) that the dramatizing messages 
included in fantasy themes are often about the individuals in the conversation.  The 
characters do not have to be imaginary.  Finally, Alem?n?s suggestions on how one 
should analyze fantasy themes are useful.  Alem?n states that, ?Fantasy themes are 
analyzed by examining the narrative elements of the drama? (2005, p. 8).  Some of these 
narrative elements that I will analyze in determining fantasy themes are the individuals 
identified as heroes and villains and the overarching plot and depicted actions that these 
individuals take.  Alem?n also notes the importance of looking for ?sanctioning agents,? 
which explain why characters do particular things.  Alem?n (2005) states that, ?The 
sanctioning agent, which is often a value system, ideal, or emotion, provides the 
persuasive force for acceptance of the social reality constructed in the fantasy chains? (p. 
9).   
Another useful, but not vital, term is ?fantasy type.?  A fantasy type is a 
?recurring script in the culture of a group? (Bormann, 1982c, p. 52).  This recurring script 
is used to allude to a previously shared fantasy without recreating it in its entirety 
(Alem?n, 2005).  Fantasy types are marked by words that serve as symbolic cues for 
group members.  Alem?n provides the terms  ?prince? and ?knight? as examples of 
fantasy types that allude to the fantasy theme of ?knight in shining armor.?  The 
 
 46
distinction between this concept and fantasy themes is not explained very well by 
Bormann (Mohrmann, 1982), and some scholars use the two terms synonymously.  I will 
clearly distinguish between fantasies and fantasy types in this thesis. Situations that 
appear frequently in larger fantasies will be labeled as fantasy types and included to 
support the validity of the larger fantasies.  Finally, I will look for an overarching 
rhetorical vision within the SDN Forums.  Bormann (1982c) states that a rhetorical vision 
is a unified putting-together of various scripts which provides a broader view of a 
culture?s social reality? (p.52-3).  It summarizes the group?s views on the world and life.  
Bormann notes that rhetorical visions are sometimes marked by a slogan or label of some 
sort, used by a group of individuals. 
Sampling 
The terminology and methodologies provided by Alem?n (2005), Bormann 
(1982c), and Perry and Roesch (2004) are highly influential to this study.  Still, none of 
these scholars provide an exact method for sampling from an Internet forum.  Most 
fantasy theme analysis scholars use the method to analyze published texts from a single 
author.  Sometimes the scholars analyze media texts such as films or television shows, 
but the approach tends not to focus on individuals on the Internet.  As noted earlier, 
Alem?n studies a little over one month?s time in one ?discussion board.?  This approach 
amounts to over 560 posts for analysis on one general topic: dating.  While this sample is 
effective for Alem?n?s research, it is perhaps too narrow for this thesis.  Perry and 
Roesch look at more than 1200 individual tributes posted for Mister Rogers.  This 
number is more applicable to the present study, but it still is based on a community 
discussing only one topic: the death of Mister Rogers.  
 
 47
For this thesis, it is more useful to provide a look at two of the most important 
sections on the SDN Forums: the Pre-Allopathic section and the All-Students Forum 
section.  The Pre-Allopathic section is relevant because it garners the highest number of 
individuals at any given moment in the SDN Forums.  Seventy-eight unique sections 
appear in the SDN Forums (some include sub-sections), and the Pre-Allopathic section 
consistently has more than 500 members posting or reading threads.  This number is 
significant when compared to sections of the SDN Forums such as ?Psychiatry? or 
?Military Medicine? which tend to only have 10 to 20 people viewing threads or posting.  
While many of the topics in the Pre-Allopathic section of the SDN Forums are directly 
related to medical procedures and school work, other conversations in this section cover 
areas such as applying for jobs and living as a doctor.  The All-Students Forum is useful 
because it allows for conversation on any topic.  While this section does not attract as 
large of a population as Pre-Allopathic, its contributors are willing to talk about anything, 
including topics such as music, death and dating.  The majority of my analysis will come 
from these two sections of the SDN Forums, but in some instances it will be relevant to 
mention a thread from another area.  
While Alem?n (2005) and Perry and Roesch (2004) rely on looking at every 
message over a period of time, this approach is not applicable for this thesis.  Alem?n and 
Perry and Roesch did not need to look at multiple topics as their papers are on specific 
topics: senior dating and the death of Mister Rogers, respectively.  As this thesis is 
concerned with overarching fantasy themes occurring in natural, everyday conversation 
within the SDN Forums, focusing on one long thread or a series of messages about one 
individual is inappropriate.  For this reason, I will use systematic sampling to obtain my 
 
 48
data set.  Krippendorff (1980) states that, ?Systematic sampling involves selecting every 
kth unit of a list into the sample after determining the starting point of the sequence at 
random? (p. 67).  The scholar further notes that this method of sampling is used when 
?data stem from regularly appearing publications, sequences of interpersonal interaction, 
the stringlike order of writing, film, and music? (Krippendorff, 1980, p. 67).  Thus, 
systematic sampling translates well to this thesis, as the data provided by the SDN 
Forums involves sequences of interpersonal interaction that take place in the same type of 
media.  I will begin with the first thread on the first page of the two sections of the SDN 
Forums mentioned earlier (Pre-Allopathic and the All-Students Forums) and then select 
every fifth thread until the last date posted is one month from the first thread selected.  
Threads will be selected in reverse chronological order.  For example, if the first thread 
appears on July 1, 2007, then the last thread selected would appear on June 1, 2007.  This 
method should provide a sample that is not biased in relation to the topics or users 
included within the thread. 
Background on the Student Doctor Network (SDN) Forums 
   SDN is a Web community established in the mid-1990s at the University of 
Kansas.  It has grown in popularity and is now operated by the Coastal Research Group, a 
non-profit organization.  The site features articles, medical school databases, and a forum 
for discussion.  The forum has over 130,000 members, including doctors, medical 
students, potential medical students, and their families and friends.  Although anyone is 
welcome to use the forum, the majority of members are actually involved in medicine in 
some way.  I chose this forum because of the relatively high frequency of posts and 
potential for shared consciousness amongst members.  Both Alem?n (2005) and Perry 
 
 49
and Roesch (2004) highlight these factors as important in conducting a fantasy theme 
analysis on a forum.  Alem?n also notes that it is useful to look at forums that produce 
intelligent and understandable conversations.  Most of the posters on the SDN Forums 
spell correctly and form coherent, thoughtful sentences.  Alem?n?s study outlines other 
factors that can help a researcher decide on an online group to study.  The scholar notes 
that the SeniorNet community proved to be useful because of the continuous flow of 
comments on each conversation topic, the recognizable nature of a few of the forum 
members, and the general ?conversation-like? elements of the comments (2005, p. 10).  A 
conversation-like element exists in the discussions at SDN.  The members are not 
restricted to talking about medicine and tend to reply to most every topic posted by a 
member of the site. 
Pre-test Results 
 As part of a term paper, I conducted a pre-test of this method on a reduced sample 
of communicators at the SDN Forums.  While the version of the method used in the  
pre-test is not exactly the same as the one described in the methodology section (in the 
pre-test I did not use systematic sampling), it is quite similar and its results prove the 
effectiveness of the method.  It is important to note that I will not look for the same 
fantasy themes in this thesis.  It is possible that the fantasy themes found in the pre-test 
will re-emerge, but it is also possible that I will find new fantasy themes or expanded 
versions of the themes found in the pre-test.  The results of the pre-test follow: 
 Analysis of twenty discussions with varying numbers of comments shows the 
presence of a few interesting fantasy themes at SDN.  Most of these themes center around 
the ideas of uncertainty or doubt, as the conversation starter begins the discussion with a 
 
 50
concern or question about something in which he or she felt uncertainty.  Many of the 
discussions serve as an attempt for the group of up-and-coming doctors to relieve their 
doubts and reinforce their decisions.   
A few character types are present in the dramas expressed by the SDN posters.  
The heroic character is the stead-fast, confident, moral doctor who has time for his/her 
family and friends.  Evidence suggests that the SDN posters want to become this hero, as 
they discuss ways to become more efficient at studying or other work-related tasks.  
Often times, senior members of the forum serve as heroes of sorts, as they provide advice 
and reassurance (or a dose of reality) for the younger, less-experienced students.  
Common villains are individuals who pose a threat to the SDN posters? success at their 
careers.  These people range from lawyers to self-centered boy/girlfriends.   
An overarching rhetorical vision of ?it is difficult but possible (IIDBP)? is present 
in the fantasy themes of SDN.  The originators of fantasy themes often express some 
confusion or uncertainty with a decision involving their careers or personal lives.  
Through conversations with other members (especially veteran members), they tend to be 
reaffirm that there is a reason to keep working.  The following fantasy themes support 
this rhetorical vision.  
?I Was Supposed to be Rich? (IWSTBR) Fantasy  
 A fantasy theme that quickly becomes apparent is IWSTBR.  This fantasy is 
marked by the sobering reality fantasy type, featuring symbolic cues such as the ?real 
world,? ?sobering? truth, and the ?reality? of being a doctor.  This fantasy theme arises 
when SDN posters seek reassurance from current doctors and others who have been in 
the field longer than them.  The following posts from a discussion on the total cost of 
 
 51
becoming a doctor serve as an example.  All of the posters? names have been changed, 
and the numbers of their posts are noted.  Darryl, the first poster in this conversation 
(therefore, the dramatizer responsible for this fantasy chain), says ?Congrats to class of 
2012 but I have one question. How big of a role does tuition+housing+cost of living 
factor in to deciding what [medical school] to attend? How much is too much? ? sorry to 
dampen the mood.?   After a few replies about how much these individuals would be 
willing to pay, Nathan, the seventh poster, replies with ?We just had a debt management 
seminar the other day and it was definitely sobering.?  Nathan goes on to discuss what he 
learned during this session, but this is irrelevant to the current study.  It is important to 
note here that Nathan is listed as a medical student, while Darryl (the original poster) is 
listed as a pre-medical student as this fantasy theme is marked by individuals seeking 
reassurance from doctors or experienced medical students. 
 A similar discussion provides an interesting example of this fantasy theme.  Mark, 
a poster who lists himself as a pre-medical student, begins the conversation by linking to 
a news article on the debt situations facing young doctors.  The third poster in this 
discussion, Gumby, listed as a resident, uses the symbolic cues of ?reality? and 
?sobering? in noting that the financial life of a doctor is not simple.  Gumby says: 
I know, I know, the temptation is to imagine your future six figure salary, imagine 
your debt, insert them into a mental black box and *poof*... everything works 
itself out. The reality is quite different. You're going to be toting your loans 
around long after medical school is just a vague, bad memory. Talk to any 
resident about his/her debt and how it has impacted his/her life and plans. It will 
be sobering, I promise.  
 
Gumby?s post is followed by a lengthy conversation on the many misperceptions of 
young people entering the field.  When Marilyn (# 20) states that ?I'm going to give  
 
 52
pre-meds the benefit of the doubt that they realize the average doc doesn't have a 
mansion/Porsche,? she is quickly countered by posters who argue the opposite.  These 
posters reinforce the validity of the theme that there is a sobering reality of becoming a 
doctor that many individuals do not understand.  Lauren (#21), listed as a medical 
student, responds to Marilyn with ?I hope you are right. But you apparently haven't seen 
some of the absurdity on threads I have seen. And the repeated posts on SDN about going 
into medicine for the money.? 
 This fantasy theme emerges often in conversations at SDN, as senior members of 
the forum provide facts about the ?sobering? financial reality of being a doctor.  
Although it is present in other types of discussions, it is most commonly associated with 
conversations on debt and money issues.    
?Supporting Actor? Fantasy 
 While the SDN community members are concerned with issues directly related to 
their work, many of their discussions center on the fear of not being able to make time for 
dating as a result of the complicated work that they do.  This theme is marked by a stock 
scenario in which the main character (a doctor or medical student) does not have enough 
time for the person whom he/she is dating and fears that the relationship will end.  The 
theme usually includes a resolution in which the doctor finds someone who is willing to 
play the ?support? role.  A variation of this theme occurs when the SDN poster decides to 
become a supporting character of sorts by not expecting as strong of a relationship due to 
his/her career.  Still, some members of SDN do not think that it is possible to date while 
in medical school.  However, they agree that the only way to successfully have a 
relationship is to find someone who is willing to take a secondary role.  A few symbolic 
 
 53
cues for this theme revolve around the ?understanding? and ?supporting? role of the 
spouse or boy/girlfriend.  The SDN community members express the desirability of 
someone who is willing to take a secondary role and help make the doctor?s life less 
complicated.    
 Rodney (#1) provides a good example of this fantasy with his question on the 
possibilities of dating while in medical school.  Rodney notes that the most common 
piece of advice that he received when entering medical school was not to date.  Rhonda 
(#3), listed as post-doctorate, begins to expand upon the fantasy of finding a supporting 
character by stating that, ?A relationship can work in med school if you both are willing 
to put in the effort and time for each other and it will certainly help if your [girlfriend] 
knows the time constraints you'll have while in med school.?  Four posts later, Orlando 
(#7) validates Rhonda?s assertion that a relationship will work if the person the medical 
student is seeing does not expect to have a central role in the relationship.  Orlando says, 
?But if you're involved and actually like/love the person you are dating, it will work out 
just fine (given the non-med school partner is understanding and not demanding of your 
time when you don't have any to spare).?   
This fantasy proves that the members of the SDN Forums value the idea of 
relationships, as many posters say that they are looking to date someone.  However, they 
often mention the need for that person to be useful in some way outside of an equal 
partnership.  Kendall (#13), for example, explains that it is good to date while in medical 
school because a boy/girlfriend can help a medical student ?de-stress.?  In a different 
discussion Mildred (#1) explains that she is concerned about when she and her husband 
(a doctor) will be able to have children.  After two of the posters try to help her but do not 
 
 54
provide any significant advice, Frank (#5) lets Mildred know that she should focus on her 
husband?s needs instead of her own.  Frank gives Mildred the following advice:  
At the beginning of his residency, kiss him, make him a nice dinner with candles 
and get him a Hallmark card. In the card, write, "Love you! We'll do this again in 
five years! Or seven if you get that spinal fellowship! xoxo" 
 
A few posts after this, Leonard (#7), listed as a resident, reinforces that Mildred is doing 
the right thing by playing the supporting role for her husband.  Leonard states that, ?Your 
husband is blessed to have you in his life, willing to have his babies. There is not a 
perfect time [to have children].? 
 This theme is present in almost every discussion on dating, but these two 
examples prove to be the most relevant as they show an example of a medical student 
(Rodney) and an outsider (Mildred) seeking reassurance on the role that a boy/girlfriend 
should play in a relationship.  The SDN community members constantly reinforce this 
fantasy and use symbolic cues such as ?support person? when they do not recreate the 
fantasy.   
?Real Doctors? Fantasy 
 As stated earlier, many of the posts on SDN show a general feeling of uncertainty 
amongst the members.  It is not surprising that many of the conversations have to do with 
not changing ones personality.  It is in this fantasy theme that members reinforce the 
value of being a doctor to help people, not to make money.  SDN posters discuss way to 
stay focused and not lose sight of one?s self when becoming a doctor.  One of the most 
important values expressed in this theme is that students should cherish their identity and 
background when starting medical school, but that the job is ultimately more important.  
Common symbolic cues are ?commitment,? ?professional? and ?helping.?  
 
 55
 A discussion on how medical students feel about students in their program who 
come from wealthy families provides an excellent example of this fantasy.  Although 
some of the members expressed concerns that the conversation starter was trying to start 
a conflict amongst the members, some interesting values emerge from the discussion.  
Corrine (#47) summarizes the discussion by stating: 
You have to care about doing well in medicine. If you're in it just cause you're 
interested for the moment, and know you can leave any time if you get bored, that 
doesn't bode well for your commitment or motivation. Things aren't always 
peachy in medicine, and practice does and should become routine after a while. 
What are you gonna do then? Quit just cause you can?  
Most people in medicine aren't in it for the money.  
 
Corrine and others explain that it is more important to be a great doctor, no matter what 
one?s original background.  They explain that they value individuality, but that in the end, 
everyone is judged the same for the work that they do.  In another discussion on whether 
doctors should be allowed to wear blue jeans, most of the SDN community members 
claim that being a doctor is an important job and that doctors should dress the part.  The 
posters routinely use the word ?professional? in their explanations, noting that they feel 
more like real doctors when wearing nice clothing.  This theme arises in many kinds of 
conversations at SDN, but it is most often present in discussions in which pre-medical 
student try to renegotiate the importance of long-held standards and traditions.   
Results 
 While the pre-test provides an interesting and useful look at the SDN Forums 
community and its potential to provide fantasy themes, it is worth noting that I did not 
review a large sample of posts.  It is also important to note that I only looked for fantasy 
themes and did not ask in depth research questions about the community before doing my 
 
 56
preliminary research.  I will see if the pre-test results still prove to be accurate or if they 
only scratch the surface of the SDN Forums community.  Some aspects of the pre-test 
results might prove to no longer be relevant, while others might provide even more data 
after having analyzed a much larger sample.  Using a systematic sample of threads from 
the forums, I will now look specifically for the presence of fantasy themes about 
becoming a doctor, heroes, villains, and common settings, and an overarching rhetorical 
vision. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 57
V. ANALYSIS  
 This thesis uses Bormann's (1972b) fantasy theme analysis method to analyze 
hundreds of threads in two sections of the SDN Forums.  Using a systematic sample, 
threads were selected and placed into categories based on similarities in both the thread's 
overall message and the language used by the forums' members.  This expanded analysis 
of the SDN Forums is intended to explain the Internet communication in the SDN 
Forums in a more thorough manner than the pre-test included earlier in this thesis.  While 
some of the fantasy themes are similar, the scope of this thesis allows for more extensive 
examples of each theme.  Another intention of this thesis' analysis is to test (and 
hopefully expand) the utility of Bormann's fantasy theme analysis method.  By analyzing 
hundreds of threads for shared fantasies, heroes, villains, and symbolic cues, it is 
apparent that shared fantasies and ideas are present in the SDN Forums.   
Several fantasy themes exist in the SDN Forums community's discussions.  As 
noted in the methodology section of this thesis, a pre-test of my method proved to be 
effective in finding fantasy themes in a small number of threads in the same forum.  
Naturally, the expansion of the methodology proves to extend these results.  While the 
pre-test presents three significant fantasy themes, the expanded analysis of this thesis 
finds the presence of five fantasy themes in the SDN Forums.  It is important to note that 
the three fantasy themes from the pre-test are still relevant in this thesis, but they are not 
strong enough to stand as fantasy themes by themselves.  Instead, two of the fantasy 
 
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themes from the pre-test serve as fantasy types in larger, better-developed fantasy themes, 
while one of them is ultimately refuted by this expanded study.  Although the fantasy 
themes in this thesis vary in subject matter, they tend to share values, settings, and goals.  
This analysis section is immediately followed by conclusions, which discuss the 
rhetorical vision of the community and the significance of this study.   
 The five major themes in the SDN Forums include: "I NEED to Go Here" 
(INTGH), "Team SDN," "Oh Pre-Meds" (OPM), "What It Takes" (WIT), and "What 
Really Matters" (WRM).  As noted earlier, all of these themes reflect the values and 
shared interests of the SDN community.  INTGH is characterized by discussions on the 
SDN community's favorite medical schools.  Members discuss what they value in a 
school and even compare some medical schools to lovers.  The "Team SDN" fantasy is 
shared when posters try to reassure each other that they are not alone in their current 
situations.  This fantasy also includes messages intended to build the reputation of the 
SDN Forums as a place for camaraderie and solid advice.  The OPM fantasy differs from 
the positive nature of the "Team SDN" fantasy, as OPM instead focuses on the types of 
pre-medical students that the SDN community dislikes.  Finally, the WIT and WRM 
fantasies are presented last because they symbolize what the SDN posters find most 
important in their lives.  In these fantasy themes, members describe what an ideal doctor 
should be and also discuss the importance (and possibility) of having a life outside of 
medical school and work.  The results follow.  
"I NEED to Go Here" (INTGH) Fantasy 
 As this analysis focuses on a more specific population of pre-medical students, 
the results vary in some ways from those of my pre-test.  For example, the INTGH 
 
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fantasy theme presented itself repeatedly due to the nature of these individuals' 
conversations.  Pre-medical students are obviously concerned with being accepted into 
medical schools, so many of the threads in the Pre-Allopathic section and the  
All-Students Forum section focus on issues related to the application and acceptance 
processes.  Many sub-themes and fantasy types are relevant to the INTGH fantasy; issues 
range from how acceptances are actually decided to individuals asking one another to 
give up their acceptances so that a more deserving candidate may take it.  Another 
reoccurring aspect of the INTGH fantasy is that SDN members are confused as to the 
nature of acceptances and hope to come to a common understanding of how medical 
school acceptances are actually decided. 
 The INTGH fantasy theme usually arises when SDN posters discuss their ideal 
medical schools.  A common fantasy type centers around the idea of falling in love with a 
school either before or after a visit.  This fantasy type is marked by symbolic cues such as 
"I am in love with _______ (school name)," "fell in love" or "like falling in love."  This 
particular aspect of INTGH occurs when SDN posters either attempt to gauge the 
community's feelings towards a medical school or hope to learn how long it will take to 
be accepted by a school.  Many members display this fantasy type in a discussion on 
Stanford.  The fantasy chain begins with A Wall noting that he/she is "obsessed with the 
school" and wanting to know when the university will make its decisions.  Other users 
then join into the discussion and expand upon the symbolic cues listed above.  
sanchopanza states that, "Stanford is the bomb.  It was like falling in love with a woman 
when I interviewed there."  The fantasy type is shared by multiple users in this thread 
who state that "it would be a dream" to attend Stanford and repeatedly use the word 
 
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"love" when talking about the school.  A final significant example comes from 
mcchicken1985 who warns SDN users to "prepare to fall in love with the school on 
interview day."   
 The love fantasy type for the INTGH theme is prevalent in the SDN Forums.  
Many individuals post about the schools they wish to attend in a similar manner, 
suggesting that to the pre-medical students in the SDN Forums, being accepted by a 
medical school means more than simply learning when they will have to move.  For some 
of these individuals, being accepted to another medical school than they one they love is 
similar to settling for a bad relationship.  In discussing their love for different medical 
schools, some of the SDN Forums users provide examples of another fantasy type: the 
prestigious school.  This aspect of INTGH exhibits the posters' love for a prestigious 
school because it makes them more prestigious by association.  This fantasy type includes 
symbolic cues such as "prestige," "prestigious," "impress," and "name recognition."  In an 
advice thread in which an SDN user asks which school he or she should attend, several 
posters reply by noting the prestige and name recognition of the schools.  nu2004 states 
that, " if you want to do MD/MBA, they all have great business schools, but UChicago 
probably has the best name recognition."  Other advice threads follow similar patterns, 
with members citing a school's prestige and name as being a good reason to attend.  Some 
posters allude to how impressive it is to attend certain schools; CatsandCradles explains 
how nice it would be to "impress" one's child with where he or she went to medical 
school.  In the discussion on Stanford used earlier in this analysis, a poster states that he 
or she was "shocked" to have even interviewed with the school.  This post came after 55 
 
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other posts discussing the prestige of the school; thus, the poster shared the opinion of 
other SDN posters.     
 Another area that presents itself in the discussion of a school's name and 
recognition is the charming location.  This fantasy type occurs when individuals look past 
the prestige and rankings of a school and note the environment in which the medical 
students reside.  Its symbolic cues include "atmosphere," "see the sun," and "depressing."  
In a discussion on whether an individual should attend Yale or Michigan, Orthodoc40 (a  
medical student) skips past the talk of each schools' medical programs and states that, "I'd 
get as far away from the state of MI as possible. The sun does not live here, and it is one 
depressing place."  This sentiment is echoed by other posters such as hoquuep, who 
suggests the following: "I've lived in Michigan for the past eight years, and the weather 
here is wholly unpredictable and depressing."  In the end, it is unclear whether the 
original poster listened to this advice, but the atmosphere at a school is important to the 
posters at SDN. 
With the idea of an intense love for a school established, another aspect of the 
INTGH fantasy theme is relevant.  This fantasy type is used by individuals when 
describing the desperation that they feel in waiting for news on an acceptance.  The 
fantasy type of desperation or uncertainty is present when individuals use symbolic cues 
such as "desperate" "killing me" "praying" "would kill for" or "antsy."  Several 
conversations provide examples of this fantasy type.  In a discussion on Duke, Tropicana 
describes the letter that he or she wrote to the university.  Tropicana states that, "In 
retrospect, however, I did sound a bit desperate."  Other posters in the thread share the 
sentiment, and then discuss how not to sound "desperate" when talking to a school.   
 
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While the discussion on Duke was positive in nature, most individuals call one 
another desperate as an insult.  For example, in a thread on why an SDN Forums member 
was passed over while his or her less-qualified friend was accepted to medical school, 
jk1123 states, "i cannot believe you guys spend that long writing a paragraph response. 
desperate!"  jk1123's post is immediately followed by another SDN poster using the 
image of a sad face and making the sarcastic post of "Waahhh, I know someone who got 
into medical school and they shoudn't have. I should have and they shouldn't have. I 
know this because I have more expertise than the people already in the profession who 
are admitting people. Waaahhh."  Other posts in this thread show a negative tone, 
suggesting that members of the SDN Forums do not like to read about other members 
feeling desperate or afraid.  For example, in the thread on attending Duke, most of the 
insults focused on individuals attempting to do too much to impress medical schools.  
However, almost all of the members in the thread list themselves as pre-medical students, 
so they share the situation of trying to gain acceptance to their medical schools of choice. 
SDN members who feel desperate to hear something from a medical school 
exhibit another interesting element in the INTGH fantasy.  Many individuals use the 
symbolic cue of "give someone else your spot" in advice threads for individuals with 
more than one acceptance to a medical school.  SDN members who express this fantasy 
type feel jealous of more successful pre-medical students and want to make the accepted 
individuals know that they are lucky and should not take their positions for granted.  
These individuals are sometimes confused as to why they were not accepted while other 
"less-deserving" members were accepted.   
 
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While the fantasy type of giving someone your spot was realized in five different 
threads, it is most evident in a thread in which the original poster declares that he or she 
has "cold feet" and is not sure that he or she wants to attend medical school (even after 
being accepted).  This call for advice is met with actual advice from senior members with 
"medical student" listed as their statuses, but more often than that, it is met with  
pre-medical students expressing their desperation and frustration.  nehcmij86 starts this 
fantasy chain by asking, "can we trade positions?".  nehcmij86's dramatizing message is 
shared by other members who state that, "I know 2 people that would love to have the 
freedom of attending a med school right now, any med school" and the immediate reply 
of " you can make that 3."   
While the aforementioned statements provide clear examples of the symbolic cue 
"give someone else your spot," perhaps the most interesting examples come from 
individuals who explain the desperation they feel while asking for the original poster to 
give up his or her spot.  Doublecortin gives the member the following advice: "please 
give up your acceptance and let someone who is truly passionate about medicine and 
eager to attend medical school."  This clearly explains that Doublecortin is jealous and 
feels desperate in his or her search for a medical school.  Doublecortin's post actually 
suggests that the original poster is not passionate enough about practicing medicine.  A 
final example of desperation and a desire to "take someone's spot" in the INTGH fantasy 
comes from frikarika, who states that, "It's really frustrating to hear about people getting 
into med school who haven't really thought it out. I on the other hand haven't gotten in 
anywhere, and would kill to be in your position. Consider yourself lucky."  The poster 
show's evidence of desperation and a feeling of "needing to go" to any available medical 
 
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school in stating that he or she would "kill" to be in the same position as the original 
poster.  As noted earlier, intense symbolic cues such as "would kill to" or "dying to get 
in" are signs of the shared fantasy of desperately needing to be accepted by a medical 
school.  Posters on the SDN Forums such as frikarika and Doublecortin who recognize 
the shared drama of INTGH cannot empathize with other SDN members in need of 
serious advice on where to go to medical school. 
 As the INTGH fantasy largely applies to the way SDN members make sense of 
the admissions and acceptance processes at different medical schools, a sub-theme of "It's 
a Gamble" (IAG) is relevant to the discussion.  The IAG fantasy stands as a sub-theme 
within the discussion of INTGH because it is predominately present in threads in which 
the INTGH fantasy is shared by SDN posters.  It is a recurring theme that posters share in 
an attempt to explain why they were not accepted to their medical schools of choice, 
downplay the accomplishments of others, or simply express confusion with medical 
school admissions processes.  Common symbolic cues in this sub-theme include, 
"gamble," "luck," "random" and other gambling terms such as "flip a coin" or "roll the 
dice." 
 In an advice thread on why some people are accepted to medical schools and 
others are not, cottenr states that, "a lot of stuff in this selection process is random. 
Whether they interview you, accept you, or reject you, a substantial portion of that 
decision could be up [sic] total chance."  Other members share this vision and express 
similar sentiments, but it is a post by a seasoned member of the forum, who lists himself 
or herself as a medical student that truly reinforces the IAG fantasy.  This poster, 
ScutMonkey08 explains the following: "As a member of the admissions committee [sic] 
 
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at a top 40 med school, I must say that though there is a lot of ?randomness? in the 
decisions process".  This advice seemed to quiet the counter-argument from other 
members, as the fantasy was being shared by someone with a higher status than "pre-
medical."  ScutMonkey08 also establishes the validity of his or her claim by noting that 
he or she has served on an admissions committee and seems to have insider information. 
 A thread in which a member of the SDN Forums considers questioning a 
committee's decision to reject him or her also provides interesting examples of both the 
IAG sub-theme and the INTGH fantasy theme.  Law2Doc, a senior member of the SDN 
Forums who is listed as a medical student and an assistant moderator, gives the original 
poster the following advice: "Once you let the school get to a decision, you've rolled the 
dice, and it's over. Move on."  By using the symbolic cue "rolled the dice," Law2Doc has 
referenced the repeatedly shared IAG fantasy type.  This example shows the previously 
mentioned criteria of this fantasy type, in which members refer to the admissions process 
as a game of chance in which they have little power or say over the results.   
Calling the medical school admissions process a gamble shows the confusion and 
desperation that some pre-medical students feel in the INTGH fantasy.  Sharing the IAG 
fantasy type suggests that members do not fully understand how their acceptances are 
decided, as many of them express that complete randomness can sometimes be the 
deciding factor. The confusion and desperation expressed by these individuals (as well as 
the love for the schools that reject them) leave the IAG sub-theme and INTGH fantasy 
theme somewhat dependent upon one another.  As noted earlier, it is apparent that 
individuals who express aspects of INTGH such as "give me your spot" or question why 
some individuals are accepted are perhaps jealous of other members of the SDN Forums 
 
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and do not wish to have accountability for not being accepted by a medical school.  The 
IAG fantasy type provides a way to blame the acceptance process (which apparently truly 
does confuse the posters) rather than MCAT scores or individual characteristics of the 
applicant.  A thread on how many schools a borderline student should apply to provides 
one final example that encompasses the desperation of the INTGH fantasy theme and the 
randomness of the IAG sub-theme.  In this thread, Frohse gives the fellow borderline 
poster the following advice: "You MUST play the law of averages. The more schools to 
which you apply, the better chance you have of getting in to medical school." 
Thus, the INTGH fantasy theme consists of the following fantasy types: love, 
importance of location, ?give someone else your spot,? desperation, and the IAG  
sub-theme.  The love fantasy type occurs in conversations about visiting medical schools 
and ?falling in love? with them.  In this fantasy type, SDN Forum members routinely use 
language that usually refers to dating to describe their potential medical schools.  The 
location fantasy type is characterized by posters declaring the need to attend a school 
with a charming campus.  The next two aspects of the INTGH fantasy theme deal with 
individuals who fear that they will not be accepted into medical school.  These two 
fantasy types include messages of desperation in which posters sometimes ask other 
posters to give up their acceptances to individuals who ?want it? more.  Finally, an 
interesting sub-theme is present in the INTGH fantasy.  This sub-theme, IAG, asserts that 
the SDN community does not understand how the medical school admissions process 
works.  In this sub-theme, members compare the process of applying to medical schools 
as a gamble with little rationality.      
 
 
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The "Team SDN" Fantasy 
 While some of the fantasy themes in the SDN Forums suggest that the members 
are jealous of each other and are predominately interested in their own acceptances to 
medical school, the "Team SDN" fantasy theme is just the opposite.  Members in both the 
Pre-Allopathic section and the All-Students Forum of the SDN Forums frequently 
express this fantasy theme.  These individuals tend to recall the fantasy of being a part of 
"Team SDN" when other posters (usually pre-medical or new members) express concern 
over situations such as medical school acceptances, failing relationships, and apartment 
hunting.  This fantasy is usually expressed through phrases such as "I'm in the same boat 
as you" or "stay positive."  While the expression "I'm in the same boat as you" is 
somewhat common in nature, it builds camaraderie within the SDN community.  Often in 
lieu of advice, senior members will simply offer the fact that they have been in a similar 
situation and wish the original poster good luck as a means of reassuring him or her. 
 Significant symbolic cues in the "Team SDN" fantasy theme include phrases such 
as "same boat," "you're not alone," "not the only one," "right there with you," and "same 
situation."  Examples are provided consistently for this theme and tend to be similar no 
matter what the subject of discussion might be.  A thread on the problems associated with 
trying to coordinate one's future with a boyfriend or girlfriend is especially useful.  As 
noted earlier, the "Team SDN" fantasy tends to be expressed when individuals see that 
the original poster is hurting or is in need of advice from some one who understands.  
While many of the posters in the thread on conflicting futures provide advice for the 
upset original poster, Booyah85 attempts to make the advice more personal by stating 
that: 
 
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I was in the same boat, I am attending med school in August and my ex-gf was 
planning on getting a Masters in social work. Well, last weekend she decided that 
we were too "incompatible" and decided to break off our 3 year relationship. 
 
By beginning with the phrase "I was in the same boat," Booyah85 asserts that he 
or she perhaps understands the original poster's point better than other individuals.  After 
describing what happened to his or her relationship, Booyah85 ends by showing how his 
or her advice might benefit the original poster.  Booyah85 adds, "I hope that my mistakes 
can help you with your future decisions."  In the same thread dtepper explains the details 
of his or her dating situation before stating, "I can't really give advice, but I can reassure 
you that you're not alone."  This post comes just two posts after Booyah85's comment, 
and it also reinforces the fantasy theme of SDN members being in the "same boat."  
dtepper alludes to the idea that while, he or she cannot solve the problem for the original 
poster, strength exists in knowing that he or she is not the only one going through a trying 
situation related to being a pre-medical student. 
 Perhaps a more poignant example of the "Team SDN" fantasy being expressed 
through members showing each other that they are not alone comes from a thread about 
race.  In this thread, supa looks for hope that other black pre-medical students post on the 
SDN Forums (and at other schools) by pondering the following: "The one interview was 
at Maryland and there were NO brothas, so just checking to make sure I'm not out here 
alone."  By using the symbolic cue, "out here alone," supa calls on the "Team SDN" 
fantasy theme, as he or she is looking for reassurance.  supa is met with a great deal of 
support, in which several of the members use similar symbolic cues to share the fantasy 
of "Team SDN."  wowowowow101 responds with, "You are not alone.  I interviewed with 
another blk guy at one of my schools. I also go to school with 4 or 5 applying (all 
 
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accepted) this year."  One other poster uses the fantasy type "not alone" in stating, "It is 
nice to know that I'm not the only young black male pre-med."  By using symbolic cues 
such as "not alone" and "not the only," these members reassure each other about their 
current situations and taken a step towards building further camaraderie within the SDN 
Forums.  For example, towards the end of the thread, wuironl calls for black members of 
the SDN Forums to continue to support each other in stating, "Good luck all with 
upcoming interviews. Let?s keep this thread going!".  Other members realized this 
sentiment of camaraderie as the thread had reached multiple pages (each page has fifty 
posts, and most threads do not leave the first page) at the time of my analysis, a sign that 
it will continue to be supported.   
 The "Team SDN" fantasy appears repeatedly in conversations on the SDN 
Forums.  While there are several examples of other threads in which posters use the 
symbolic cue "same boat," it is important to look at some of the other ways that the 
fantasy is used and reinforced through other symbolic cues and stock scenarios.  The 
examples in the preceding paragraphs show how the "Team SDN" fantasy theme 
reassures a poster that he or she has someone who understands his or her situation.  
Conversations such as the one shared by Booyah85 and the thread's original poster are 
certainly useful in building a close forum community, but the stock scenario that 
specifically uses the symbolic cue "same boat" ultimately only serves the purpose of 
making the original poster feel better.  Generally no specific advice is given to the 
original poster, and the posters who provide advice do so to commiserate; an overall 
negative tone exists in the conversation. 
 
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 When SDN members use symbolic cues such as "support" and "don't give up," 
they reinforce a different fantasy type used in the "Team SDN" fantasy theme.  This 
fantasy type is similar to the "same boat" fantasy type in that it revolves around stock 
scenarios in which members express concern for each other and share stories about 
similar situations that they experienced.  However, a much more positive tone is present 
in the conversations that use the "support" fantasy type.  Examples come from multiple 
threads in the Pre-Allopathic section of the SDN Forums, and almost all of them suggest 
that the SDN Forums are a positive place, where the members genuinely care about 
helping each other.  In a thread on why the members of SDN want to be doctors, several 
members make fun of the original poster because his or her comment is somewhat 
idealistic in nature.  However, as the thread progresses, Humidbeing reminds the posters 
of what the SDN Forums are supposed to be about: helping each other.  Humidbeing 
stands up for the original poster before stating, "We're a support group."  This turns the 
focus of the conversation back to showing the original poster that he or she is not alone 
and reinforces the "Team SDN" fantasy, which had been breached prior to Humidbeing's 
post.  Immediately following Humidbeing's comment, the replies are optimistic in nature 
and provide the original poster with actual advice on what to include in his or her 
personal statement to potential medical schools. 
 Finally, members who refer to the "Team SDN" fantasy theme often express 
another fantasy type, in which the quality of the community bond in the SDN Forums is 
reinforced.  In almost every thread in which members share the "Team SDN" fantasy 
through reassuring each other that they are not alone or to stay positive, there is talk of 
SDN being a great place for pre-medical students to bond and share advice.  Symbolic 
 
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cues for this fantasy type revolve around SDN being a "great," "popular," "useful," or 
"infamous" site that provides an outlet for individuals to receive good advice.   
This fantasy type is shared widely within the thread in which black pre-medical 
students reassure one another that they are not alone.  In this thread, supa (the original 
poster), states, "Damn I wish I had found this site a while ago.  It would've made my 
entire process a lot smoother.  Good advice on here."  The dramatizing statement about 
members sharing good advice catches on, and other members share the sentiment while 
expressing the "Team SDN" fantasy.  For example, other users state that the SDN Forums 
are a "resource" that should be used by everyone.  infiniti continues this fantasy chain by 
using several symbolic cues at once to suggest that the SDN Forums are a great site of 
camaraderie for pre-medical students.  infiniti states, "I hope more black male [sic] will 
start utilizing the vast resource made available by the infamous SDN."   
 The SDN Forums community sees the site as a place for individuals to do much 
more than just talk to one another.  The "Team SDN" fantasy theme suggests that the 
members maintain a great deal of respect for each other and the site itself.  As noted in 
the example in which an individual posted his or her somewhat idealistic personal 
statement, individuals sometimes share this fantasy theme when they feel that other 
posters have lost interest in helping each other.  While some of the fantasy themes present 
in the SDN Forums contain negative aspects, the routinely expressed "Team SDN" 
fantasy attempts to keep the members positive and appreciative of the forum and its 
potential to reassure confused or disheartened pre-medical students. 
 To summarize, the "Team SDN" fantasy theme is reinforced through the 
aforementioned "same boat," support, and "infamous SDN" fantasy types.  The "same 
 
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boat" fantasy type is used when individuals express uncertainty and a need to know that 
they are not alone in their current situations.  SDN members routinely use the symbolic 
cue "same boat" in letting distressed members know that other people understand their 
situations.  Members recall the support fantasy type when they let other members know 
that the SDN Forums exist so that student doctors can help each other.  The last 
significant fantasy type, "infamous SDN," asserts the posters' love for the SDN Forums.  
In this fantasy type, members talk about the quality of the advice on the SDN Forums and 
note that the SDN Forums are a respected place for Internet communication. 
"Oh Pre-Meds" (OPM) Fantasy 
 The OPM fantasy theme provides the most humor of the themes in the SDN 
Forums.  It appears mainly in conversations on why medical students act in certain ways 
or what makes an extracurricular activity worthwhile that the OPM theme presents itself.  
SDN members share this fantasy when they are frustrated with each other or when they 
simply want to share a joke about the career choices that they have made.  As Bormann 
(1972b) notes, inside jokes are a sign of shared fantasies and group identification.  The 
self-deprecating OPM fantasy theme is the closest thing to an inside joke on the SDN 
Forums and makes this particular fantasy quite different than other more serious fantasies 
such as "Team SDN" and INTGH.  OPM is also significant because it introduces the 
discussion of the controversial "gunner" medical student. 
 The OPM fantasy theme covers a variety of subjects; therefore, the symbolic cues 
are not as rigid as they are in other fantasies.  However, some routinely mentioned 
symbolic phrases and ideas are "cure cancer," "pre-meds" and "gunner."  The fantasy 
type that discusses what pre-meds do is immediately relevant and is used in the majority 
 
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of the threads with OPM as the main fantasy theme.  In a thread on whether a male 
should remove his earring before interviewing with a medical school, several of the 
posters who list themselves as pre-medical students respond by reinforcing what a doctor 
traditionally should look like.  These posts seem to upset some of the pre-medical 
students in the thread who then share the fantasy of OPM.  One poster states the 
following as a response to the criticism from more traditional pre-medical students: 
you people are squares... 
?which is why I've never mixed with most of the pre-med crowd. Anyway, 
I've had my ears gauged for some time now. Nothing crazy big (2 guage). Took 
them out for interviews. Got into every school I interviewed at (2 top 15 schools). 
 
This reply demonstrates two things.  First, it is self-deprecating "OPM" style humor, as 
the poster is most likely a pre-medical student.  Second, it shows that posters who give 
personal examples receive better responses.  This particular post starts a new fantasy 
chain, in which members suggest that the "pre-med" mentality is somewhat flawed and is 
not the only way to be successful.  Evidence of this comes from multiple posts, but the 
following post is particularly useful because the individual directly mentions pre-medical 
students in his or her chaining of the OPM fantasy.  This poster, Haro4130Frame, states: 
Ingnore half these people without piercings. I have my lip pierced. I did take it out 
but you could still tell there is a whole [sic] there. I also have no plans on getting 
rid of it anytime soon. (I got into my top choice school by the way) Most pre-
meds are way too into thinking they are better than others...do what you want. If 
you want to leave it in, do so. 
 
These individuals are tired of being around the pre-medical "type," a sentiment that is 
common in the OPM fantasy theme. 
 Another example of SDN members insulting pre-medical students and reinforcing 
the OPM fantasy theme comes from a thread in which the original poster asks why many 
 
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pre-medical students do not apply to a larger number of medical schools.  While some of 
the posters suggest reasons such as money and time, seraph524 (listed as a medical/PhD 
student) makes a joke about the typical pre-medical student.  seraph524 states that pre-
medical students do not apply more broadly "Because pre-meds have a tremendous sense 
of self-entitlement."  The fact that this post comes from another thread shows that the 
theme of insulting pre-medical students takes place in other threads in the forum, making 
it well-established and more likely to be expressed by other members.   
Two final humorous examples show the reach of the OPM fantasy theme.  The 
first example comes from a thread on Caribbean medical schools, in which members 
discuss why pre-medical students should not attend schools outside of America.  Several 
members mention pre-medical students in the thread, but Maxprime (also listed as a 
medical/PhD student) actually established the presence of the self-deprecating OPM 
fantasy.  Maxprime states that, "Nutjob pre-medville (aka SDN) isn't the best source for 
reassurance, carefully worded statements, or information about caribbean [sic] schools."  
This post suggests that even the pre-medical students on the SDN Forums are not credible 
in the OPM fantasy.  Posters who share the OPM fantasy theme do not want to identify 
themselves as "pre-meds," even though they technically are members of the group.  The 
second example reinforces that the members of the SDN community see pre-medical 
students as somewhat "nutty."  In a thread on grades, TexanGirl defends a Muslim poster 
who drew the ire of some SDN poster for his or her use of religious terms in a thread 
about academics.  TexanGirl describes the poster as a typical pre-medical student in 
stating, "Remove all the Servant of Allah, God is Beneficent, Merciful...stuff and you get 
 
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your ordinary, run-of-the-mill neurotic pre-med."  While TexanGirl supports the poster, 
he or she still reinforces the idea of pre-medical students being neurotic and different.    
 The second fantasy type in the OPM fantasy theme does not assume that all pre-
medical students are "square" or "nuts" as suggested by previously mentioned posts.  In 
this fantasy type, SDN members make fun of pre-medical students who try too hard to 
strengthen their r?sum?s.  A commonly used symbolic cue in this fantasy type is "cure 
cancer."  The "cure cancer" symbolic cue involves a stock scenario, in which a poster 
suggests that his or her r?sum? is not strong enough and other posters reply by suggesting 
that "cured cancer" is an effective way to bolster anyone's r?sum?.  Often other cures are 
suggested as well.  For example, in a thread on the importance of extracurricular 
activities to one's application, Moshe Rabbenu suggests that his or her r?sum? is lacking 
in relevant activities by stating what he or she has actually done followed by the "cured 
cancer" joke.  Moshe Rabbenu states the following: 
I'm an avid musician whose band has had a few songs on the radio. I'm also a 
black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu with a few medals under my belt (no pun intended). 
I'm president of the Jewish Student Union at my school. Also, I've cured cancer. 
Twice. 
 
Moshe Rabbenu's use of the "cured cancer" joke calls on members of the SDN Forums to 
share the OPM fantasy, in which they insult the applications of some pre-medical 
students whom the community finds to be over-ambitious.   
The following posts in the r?sum? thread appear immediately following each 
other (no posts between them) and further display the OPM fantasy.  husky10501 states 
the following in response to Moshe Rabbenu's post on curing cancer: "Cancer...wow i'm 
highly impressed!!!! hahaha. I'm almost done with my AIDs vaccine.. [sic] just a couple 
 
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more days!".  Moshe Rabbenu then replies with, "I patented an AIDs vaccine last week. 
pwnd."  This reply is used to make fun of the competitive nature of many pre-medical 
students.  The word "pwnd" is used to note that an individual "owned" someone else by 
doing something better than that individual.  Wylde replies with a deceptively poignant 
post that is instrumental in understanding the OPM fantasy theme.  Wylde states that, 
"meh, AIDs is child's play! I've cured cancer (who hasn't, honestly how do you people 
expect to get into medical school!), but 2 times is pretty impressive!".   
The side note "how do you people expect to get into medical school" assures that 
the SDN members are using these jokes as a way of making fun of pre-medical students 
who are somewhat over-zealous in their attempts to be accepted into medical school.  
Further evidence of the "cured cancer" symbolic cue being used to re-establish the OPM 
fantasy comes from a thread on recommended activities for individuals who are applying 
to medical school.  In this thread, metalgearHMN replies to the original poster by stating 
that, "You don't have to cure cancer, just don't watch Sanford and Son re-runs all day. All 
good things in moderation."  This post shows evidence of the OPM fantasy theme 
appearing in other areas in the SDN Forums. 
Finally, the OPM fantasy theme introduces the discussion of the SDN 
community's most controversial type of pre-medical student: the gunner.  According to 
several threads in the Pre-Allopathic section of the SDN Forums, the term "gunner" is 
used to describe over-zealous pre-medical students who spend more time studying than 
other students (and apparently intentionally limit other students' opportunities to do well) 
and tend to demonstrate their knowledge to professors at every possible chance.  This 
term reinforces the OPM fantasy theme, as members use it when discussing how they 
 
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dislike most pre-medical students and do not want to live like them.  It is also a relevant 
fantasy type for the OPM fantasy because members use humor when sharing their stories 
about gunners.  In one of the many threads about gunners, littlealex replies to another 
member's post with the following statement of what a gunner might say to another 
student: "A true gunner: don't worry about those shadowing appointments. I canceled 
them all for you. Oooh!"  The gunner character is further parodied in another thread on 
gunners.  In this thread, the gunner fantasy type begins with a dramatizing statement from 
Uegis, a college freshman who wants to know if he or she is a gunner.  Psycho Doctor 
replies to Uegis by stating that, "anyone who even knows what a gunner is and is posting 
on this board their first semester of freshman year IS a gunner."   
rcd, another poster in the thread on whether Uegis is a gunner, notes that he or she 
is also worried about being a typical pre-medical student gunner.  rcd calls upon the OPM 
fantasy with the following statement: "More concerned about whether I'm becomming 
[sic] a 'pre-med leper.' I'm afraid of both burning out and being the type of dork that 
pissing [sic] people off."  This statement is an example of the OPM fantasy because it 
demonstrates that the SDN community sees itself as separate from typical pre-medical 
students and does not want to associate with them.  It is apparent that rcd is concerned 
with losing credibility on the forum (and in real life) by embodying the negative "pre-
med" persona that is parodied through the OPM fantasy.   
To conclude, the major fantasy types in the OPM fantasy theme include insulting 
pre-medical students, the "cured cancer" r?sum? boosters, and gunners.  The insulting 
pre-medical students fantasy type is characterized by posts about how pre-medical 
students are "lame" or "square."  Individuals who express this fantasy type do not like 
 
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sharing the term "pre-med" with the individuals whom they despise.  The r?sum? booster 
fantasy type is similar to the insulting pre-medical student fantasy type in that it is used to 
mock SDN members.  However, the r?sum? booster fantasy type is light-hearted in 
nature and sometimes even leads to credible advice on how posters can make their 
r?sum?s more impressive.  The gunner fantasy type includes messages about the type of 
medical student that most of the SDN community does not want to be.  In this fantasy 
type, members share stories about individuals who work perhaps too hard on completing 
medical school.   
The three fantasy types in the OPM fantasy all relate to a common theme: the 
members of the SDN Forums generally do not like the label "pre-med" because of the 
way that they perceive their classmates and peers.  Whether in a conversation about 
r?sum?s and curing cancer or a fantasy chain on "pre-meds" and gunners, a large portion 
of the forum community sees the term "pre-med" as an insult used to describe neurotic 
individuals who do not know how to interact with their peers.  SDN Forums members 
also tend to use humor as their way of approaching these issues.  The posters may use 
humor to conceal different emotions, such as animosity, resentment, or even jealousy, as 
the OPM fantasy theme is routinely shared in threads where posters talk about their 
troubles in being accepted to medical school. 
"What It Takes" (WIT) Fantasy 
 The WIT fantasy theme contains the widest variety of fantasy types of all the 
fantasy themes in the SDN Forums.  Conversations about what it takes to be a doctor do 
not always follow the same patterns, such as conversations in the INTGH and "Team 
SDN" fantasies.  The WIT fantasy theme leads to discussions about valid reasons for 
 
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being a doctor, the sacrifice involved in practicing medicine, the financial side of being a 
doctor, and the importance of self-fortitude in medical school.  While many different 
fantasy types exist in the WIT fantasy, they all relate to the central topic of what it takes 
to be an effective doctor or to complete medical school. 
 The majority of the discussions in the WIT fantasy relate to the SDN community's 
idea of what a real doctor is.  The pre-test discussed earlier in this thesis identified "Real 
Doctors" as a fantasy theme on its own.  The pre-test results suggest that doctors should 
be committed to their position and value helping others.  The idea of a "real doctor" (or 
the doctor that the SDN community hopes to be) who is committed to helping others is 
important to the SDN Forums community, as it re-appears in this extended analysis as 
well.  However, an analysis of hundreds of threads (as opposed to less than fifty in the 
pre-test), reveals that discussions on what makes a "real doctor" should not stand on their 
own as a fantasy theme.  They mostly reinforce the larger and better-developed WIT 
fantasy theme.  Instead, the discussion of what makes a real doctor works well alongside 
discussions of sacrifice and what goes on in the "real world."  All three of these fantasy 
types contain common symbolic cues such as "commitment," "inspire," and "reality." 
 Several examples of the "real doctors" fantasy type occur within the WIT fantasy 
theme.  In a thread on what most excites the SDN community about becoming a doctor, 
several members post about inspiring other people to follow their dreams.  These 
individuals explain that the doctors who have "what it takes" are driven not only to help 
themselves but also to help others.  The symbolic cue "inspire" is used repeatedly in these 
threads.  Many of the posters on the SDN Forums see real doctors as individuals who are 
interested in social change and helping others.  flaahless states the following as a reason 
 
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that he or she is excited about the future: "Being in a position to redefine what ?cool? is to 
urban youth, and hopefully inspiring kids to follow their dreams".  This statement 
changes the focus of the conversation from the joke posts of being able to impress 
women to a serious discussion on the opportunity that doctors have to change the world.  
The posters seem to take this opportunity seriously; one poster in particular turns the 
discussion to what it takes for doctors or medical students to inspire others. This poster, 
decafplease, states: 
I want to prove to my little bro that there is life beyond the street. I want him to 
want to be just a little like me so he can pick himself up by the bootstraps and 
realize his potential. I want my messed up friends from childhood to see that if I 
can do it, they can, too. 
 
Posters such as decafplease note that "real" doctors show a desire to serve others and 
inspire the community to reach greater heights.  The "real doctors help others" fantasy 
type also takes place in a discussion on black pre-medical students.  DoctaJay (a medical 
student) states that "you are more likely to see a black female at a interview than a black 
male.  That just means that we have to make it so it will inspire more black males that 
they can make it also."  Others posters share this sentiment.  Newton Bohr MD replies 
with the following post: "Sup Jay, I have seen you [sic] diary and, I think you are doing a 
great job ? Keep up the good work."   
The notion of real doctors needing to value servitude in order to be successful is 
further expressed in a thread on individuals who are losing interest in their pre-medical or 
medical school programs.  In this thread, the SDN Forums community is quick to 
establish the WIT fantasy theme through the use of the "real doctors" fantasy type.  The 
symbolic cue "help" is used repeatedly, showing evidence of a shared fantasy type.  
 
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DeadCactus states the following: "Basically, I want to be a physician because it gives me 
the freedom to help people and society on multiple levels as well as satisfy my own."  
Immediately following this statement (which starts a different fantasy chain than that of 
the original poster), SDN members reply with similar posts.  Showing several of these 
posts is necessary in order to prove the depth of this fantasy type's acceptance.  Following 
DeadCactus' comment, three posts in a row use the symbolic cue "help" to discuss what a 
real doctor should value.  RapplixGmed states that, "Helping sick people gets my 
endorphins going." gatorsbball replies with the following: "I like science and want to 
help people."  While these posts are useful for their demonstration of a symbolic cue 
related to the WIT fantasy theme, a better-developed reply on what real doctors should do 
comes from the following poster.  Lawliet2008 states the following: 
I want to be a doctor so that I can be able to help sick people who have no one 
else to turn to in the way that I think is best.  There are some really bad docs 
where I live.  One of them came into the room shaking his head and told my 
mother "I'm sorry, but all of these tests indicate that you are deaf" which she is 
not and had only come in complaining about her knee.  Another perscribed [sic] 
me some acute arthritis medication for my minor tennis elbow. 
 
Lawliet2008's post not only uses the symbolic cue "help" to continue the fantasy chain on 
real doctors valuing servitude, it also gives a personal example of what a real doctor is 
not.  As noted in the "Team SDN" fantasy theme and the OPM fantasy theme, the SDN 
Forums community is more willing to accept a personal story as proof of which values 
they should share, so Lawliet2008's post contains more credibility than other posts in the 
thread.   
 The discussion of what real doctors should value continues with the SDN Forums' 
fantasy type of medicine not being about making money.  This fantasy type is marked by 
 
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symbolic cues such involving money such as "in it for the money" or "not about the 
money," or "won't be rich."  Posters commonly share the WIT fantasy when other posters 
express that they are concerned with the financial aspect of being a doctor.  The posters 
who share the WIT fantasy theme suggest that being a doctor is no longer about making 
money and that if that is the only motivating factor for an individual, then he or she will 
not have what it takes to succeed.  In a thread on "getting rich" in medicine, several 
posters argue about whether doctors actually make what they should make.  This 
argument is ended when Law2Doc, a medical student, expresses the financial aspect of 
the WIT fantasy.  Law2Doc states that, "This path is simply not about the money. You 
can expect to be comfortable, but not necessarilly [sic] rich."  This post starts a new 
fantasy chain in which members express that the desire to be a doctor helps a medical 
student do well, not a desire for a paycheck.  A post from JaggerPlate summarizes this 
sentiment: 
I feel that these types of threads always miss out on the biggest core of the 
monetary issue .... 
If you want to go into medicine, nothing else is going to cut it.  I personally think 
I could go into business, make great money, but look back at my life at 40 and be 
unhappy with the fact that I really didn't push to do what I love.  I think that if you 
truly want to go into medicine, then there isn't a choice. 
 
The posts from Law2Doc and JaggerPlate both express the fantasy type of medicine not 
being about the money, while arguing for what it takes to stay focused in medical school. 
 Further evidence of the "not about the money" aspect of the WIT fantasy theme 
comes from a thread in which a student explains that he or she is "burned out" on trying 
to be a doctor.  This thread almost mirrors the thread referenced in the previous 
paragraph, even though the two threads took place days apart from each other and 
 
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included different posters.  The first example from the thread on giving up on becoming a 
doctor comes from james1988.  james1988's post, like JaggerPlate's post on 
compensation for doctors, explains what it takes to stay focused on becoming a doctor.  
james1988 suggests the following: 
there are many professions out there that are far more lucrative than medicine, so 
if lucre is your prime motivation, i would strongly discourage you from pursuing 
medicine.  if however, you have a passion to pursue medicine, then go for it, 
because in the end of the day, passion will be the only thing that will get you 
through the arduous path of attrition to becoming a doctor. 
 
james1988's statement on what a medical student should desire is echoed by other 
posters.  For example, mc4435 tells the original poster to "(s)top thinking about all the 
years and definitely stop thinking about money." 
 The WIT fantasy theme suggests that individuals should be motivated by a 
passion for helping others, not by money.  The self-fortitude fantasy type is directly 
related to the idea of practicing medicine is not about the money and helps reinforce the 
WIT fantasy theme.  In the self-fortitude fantasy type, a stock scenario develops in which 
original posters explain that they are unsure of some of the decisions that they have made 
and how these decisions will affect their grades or their relationships with their parents.  
This scenario ends with SDN Forums members explaining that these individuals will 
have to be more confident in themselves and their decisions in order to be successful.  
The SDN Forums community expresses that an individual must be self-motivated in 
order to have what it takes to become a doctor.  Among several examples, one particular 
example from a thread on an individual who has second thoughts on attending medical 
school stands out as being the most relevant to the WIT fantasy.  In this thread, several 
posters use the symbolic cues "commit" or "commitment" to explain their shared 
 
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understanding of how the best medical students accomplish their goals.  AdeadLois 
(listed as a medical student and a member of more than two years) states that, "Everyone 
makes their own career decisions differently. But given the bottleneck associated with 
med school admissions, you have to be 100% committed when you're applying, for better 
or worse."  This sentiment of self-fortitude being important is shared by lsumedgirl (also 
listed as a medical student), who explains, "So, yes, it is scary... lots of new things to 
learn (and I'm not just talking about the material), totally different routines, and a major 
commitment [sic]."  Both posters use a variation of the symbolic cue "commit" to share 
the WIT fantasy.   
 One final example of the self-fortitude fantasy type as a means of expressing the 
WIT fantasy comes from a thread in which the original poster explains that he or she is 
trying to persuade his or her parents on the issue of deferring admission to a medical 
school for a year.  Several posters note that an individual who has what it takes to be a 
doctor should not be concerned or motivated by other people's opinions and should 
instead be confident in his or her choices.  Jolie South, an assistant moderator on the SDN 
Forums, expresses regret for losing focus on his or her goals in the past.  Jolie South 
states that, "i [sic] let my parents bully me in a few situations like this in the past and i 
wish i had listened to myself and done what i [sic] wanted."  While Jolie South's post lays 
the foundation for the self-fortitude fantasy type by suggesting that medical students 
should only listen to themselves, a post from Begaster effectively summarizes how self-
fortitude relates to the WIT fantasy.  Begaster states that, "It's kind of terrifying that 
people who are afraid of disapproval from their parents are going to be responsible for 
the well-being of others."  Begaster's post uses the symbolic cue "responsible" to show 
 
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what should really matter to a doctor or medical student: helping the patient.  Doctors are 
required to make stressful, high-stakes decisions, and many members of the SDN Forums 
note that doctors must rely solely on themselves to make the best possible decision.  
Thus, the self-fortitude fantasy type is important in the WIT fantasy theme. 
 The final aspect or fantasy type in the WIT fantasy theme relates to the sacrifices 
that pre-medical students, medical students, and doctors must make.  This aspect of the 
WIT fantasy theme occurs when posters share stories (or participate in dramas) about not 
having time for a social life.  Aside from the word "sacrifice," no specific symbolic cues 
exist for this fantasy type because the sacrifices that the SDN Forums community 
describes vary.  Still, a central theme of posters not being able to do something that most 
people their ages are doing is the greatest sign of the "school is life" fantasy type.  A 
simple example comes from a thread on music recommendations.  psipsina (listed as a 
medical student) replies to a music recommendation with the following comment: "Hey 
thanks for the headsup [sic], unfortunately I'll be studying for shelfs but my Husband and 
friends are gonna go."  psipsina's post, which mentions the idea of sacrifice, sets the tone 
for more detailed examples of another thread.   
 A thread for SDN members who believe that their relationships might not work 
due to medical school provides several clear examples of the "school is life" aspect of the 
WIT fantasy theme.  In this thread, kedrin creates a fantasy chain focusing on the idea of 
the sacrifices of a medical student.  kedrin states the following: "I feel like i am placing a 
speed bump in the way of her career. I would do anything for her, including pass on 
medical school although i dont [sic] think it would ever come to that."  The use of the 
term "speed bump" makes kedrin's post an example of the WIT fantasy theme.  Terms 
 
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and phrases such as "speed bump" and "holding him/her back" are commonly used in 
threads with stock scenarios involving sacrifice.   
Although kedrin expresses an interest in potentially giving up his or her career, 
some posters reinforce the idea that sacrifice is what it takes to succeed in medicine.  In 
this case, some posters even feel that it might be necessary to sacrifice having a 
relationship.  For example, pride4jc727 states that, "The moral of the story is not to get 
involved in serious relationships that can interfere with your ability to achieved the best 
possible career that you can obtain.  It might be old-fashioned, but I believe in it."  
pride4jc727 makes this post more credible by using a personal story (not present in the 
section included in this thesis) and claiming that he or she "believes" in the sentiment 
expressed in the post.  fireflygirl also asserts that relationships should not be a medical 
student's top priority.  fireflygirl makes the following statement: 
He has never stopped me from following my dream and I haven't given up mine 
either. I didn't chose [sic] a school I got into near him because I felt like the 
school that was near me in Philadelphia was a better fit for me. We both think that 
now is the time to work on our education and when we are ready, and if it still 
works out, we plan to stick it out and one of us will follow the other one. But for 
now, nothing is worth our future and education and we plan to focus on that now 
and be committed to each other as well. Our relationship takes a lot of work but 
we make sacrifices for each other and so far it has worked out really well. 
 
Like pride4jc727, fireflygirl makes his or her post more credible by using a personal 
example.  It is also worth noting that fireflygirl actually uses the symbolic cue "sacrifice" 
when discussing how his or her relationship works.  The "school is life" fantasy type is 
used by individuals who believe in medical school being the most important thing in a 
student's life.  
 
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 Thus, the WIT fantasy theme consists of the following fantasy types: real doctors, 
"not about the money," self-fortitude, and personal sacrifice.  The real doctors fantasy 
type appeared as a fantasy theme in the pre-test, but further analysis in this expanded 
study shows that it is better-suited as an aspect of the greater WIT fantasy theme.  The 
real doctors fantasy type still describes what the SDN Forums' ideal doctor does that sets 
him or her apart from other doctors or medical students.  The notion of medical students 
not entering their careers for the money is also prevalent in the WIT fantasy theme; in 
this fantasy type, individuals talk about the financial realities of becoming a doctor.  The 
remaining fantasy types, self-fortitude and personal sacrifice, describe the personal 
qualities that ideal medical students should possess.  The self-fortitude fantasy type, for 
example, asserts that individuals should make their own decisions and not be forced into 
career moves based on their parents' decisions.  Finally, some posters express the 
personal sacrifice fantasy type in discussions on why they are missing opportunities to do 
"normal" activities such as attending concerts or taking vacations.   
As noted in the WIT introductory paragraph, the WIT fantasy theme includes the 
most fantasy types of all the fantasy themes in the SDN Forums.  This fantasy theme is 
prevalent in the communication of SDN members, as members express it in many 
different contexts.  The WIT fantasy theme is also important because it provides evidence 
of individuals turning to the SDN Forums for serious advice.  Many of the threads that 
use the WIT theme are related to important decisions such as quitting a pre-medical 
program or deciding on the future of a serious relationship, making it one of the more 
significant fantasies in the SDN Forums.  
 
 
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What Really Matters (WRM) Fantasy 
 The final fantasy present in the SDN Forums displays an unexpected side of the 
community.  This fantasy is especially surprising considering that the WIT fantasy 
(detailed in the previous section) suggests that being a good student and doctor are the 
only things that matter.  This final fantasy theme, the WRM fantasy, explains how the 
SDN Forums community feels about life outside of medicine.  In this fantasy theme, 
members discuss issues such as relationships, time usage, the human experience, and 
shared fears.   
 One of most prevalent aspects of the WRM fantasy is time usage.  Common 
symbolic cues include "time," "waste of time," and "worth."  Most conversations related 
to the "time" fantasy type share a stock scenario in which a poster seeks advice from the 
SDN community on what he or she should do in a situation involving dating or school.  
This stock scenario ends with multiple posters telling the original poster that his or her 
time is more valuable than to go through that situation.  This advice is interesting because 
it appears in so many threads in the SDN Forums, suggesting that the busy schedules of 
these pre-medical and medical students makes them value the use of their time perhaps 
more than other college students.   
An example of the "time" fantasy type comes from a discussion about dating in 
the All-Students Forum.  In this thread, the original poster (listed as a medical student) 
explains that his or her fianc?e does not want to move to a new place because she loves 
her current place of work.  The poster explains that if his fianc?e chooses to stay for her 
job, it will lead to a long distance relationship, and that the fianc?e feels that moving is 
not worth only seeing each other briefly each day.  The poster states that, "She feels that 
 
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it is not worth giving up a job she loves to see me for just a few hours a day."  The 
original poster's use of the symbolic cues "worth" and "just a few hours a day" effectively 
start a fantasy chain built around time usage.  Kubed (also listed as a medical student) 
suggests that perhaps the limited amount of time with a loved one might make the 
original poster use his or her time more efficiently.  Kubed states that, "When you only 
have a limited time to see each other, you end up spending it having fun rather than doing 
stuff that annoys each other."  Other posters continue the chain by suggesting that the 
original poster should always be able to "make time" for his or her fianc?e.   
Two more examples of the "time" fantasy type in the WRM fantasy come from 
discussions on plans related to medical school.  In a thread on the SDN community's 
plans for the upcoming summer, SBBunny ponders taking a lengthy trip.  However, 
SBBunny questions if the relaxing trip would actually be a good use of time in noting 
that, "I wonder if my time would be better spent earning some money instead of spending 
all my savings."  Drogba replies to this post by using the "time" fantasy type.  Drogba 
states that, "Your time is worth more than whatever miniscule wage you can command at 
this point in your life unless you really need the money to survive."  In using the 
symbolic cue "worth" in association with "Time," Drogba is attempting to reinforce the 
commonly shared value that a medical student's free time is too valuable to waste on 
work-related plans.  Drogba's sentiment is echoed throughout the rest of the multiple 
page thread, as several members talk about maximizing every second of their summer 
vacations before starting another challenging year of school.   
The "time" fantasy type is also expressed in a thread mentioned earlier on 
Caribbean schools.  The majority of the SDN community does not believe that Caribbean 
 
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schools are as good as American schools, as they go as far as to call Caribbean schools a 
"waste of time."  Atahaulpa11 describes the situation as being a waste of time because 
graduates sometimes are not able to gain admission into residency programs after leaving 
Caribbean medical schools.  Atahaulpa11 states that individuals who go to an American 
school "do not have to deal with this frustration or spend more time trying to get into a 
residency program."  This post begins the fantasy chain of wasting time in a medical 
program, while the following post solidifies it.  Rotinaj uses the symbolic cue "time 
waste" in stating the following: "I agree with Atahualpa11. It is not a guarantee, and there 
are a lot of IMGs working in labs that just can't get it as a doctor. Don't waste four years 
of your life like that...".  While the first examples from the "time" fantasy type in the 
WRM fantasy were about short-term situations, the Caribbean school example shows that 
the WRM fantasy can also describe the proper use of time for a full four years.  Being 
accepted into a residency program is "what really matters" in this case. 
Similar to the "time" fantasy type, the "final hurrah" fantasy type is also relevant 
to the development of the WRM fantasy theme.  This fantasy type focuses on the idea of 
pre-medical students effectively using their time before they become medical students or 
doctors.  It also commonly involves discussions in which pre-medical students express 
how they hope to keep certain sides of themselves in tact while in medical school.  For 
example, one student suggests that he wants to continue playing music while in medical 
school.  Symbolic cues in the "final hurrah" fantasy type include phrases such as "my last 
_____ before medical school," and "free time," and "time off." 
An example of how the "final hurrah" fantasy type reinforces the WRM fantasy 
theme also comes from a thread on the SDN community's summer plans.  In this thread, 
 
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several posters discuss the trips that they want to take before they start medical school 
(often using the "time" fantasy type discussed in the preceding paragraphs).  Lindinite 
clearly refers to the idea of a "final hurrah" before medical school in stating "I'm going to 
India for a short trip and shooting my last film before med school!".  Maxprime, takes 
part in the same fantasy as Lindinite in describing his or her summer plans.  The poster 
explains that he or she will have one last opportunity to be himself or herself before 
starting medical school.  Maxprime makes the following post: 
I think I may do the one thing I won't be able to do for a long time.  I want to get 
up every day and work out, then spend the day at the pool, then go home to drink 
beer and play Xbox with my friends before we never see each other again. 
 
Maxprime and Lindinite are aware, as are many other posters, that medical school will 
completely change their lives, so they choose to focus on what really matters to them in 
this stage of their lives while there is still time.  A post from another thread on medical 
school summarizes this section well.  Orthodoc40 (listed as a medical student) gives the 
SDN community the following advice: "the people who say they are most excited about 
the time between now & when they start? You got it right - enjoy it now!!!" 
Other threads include similar sentiments of doing something for the last few times 
before losing one's free time in medical school.  As noted earlier, SDN members are 
concerned with being themselves while in medical school.  A particularly long WRM 
fantasy chain exists in a thread for music majors who plan to attend medical school.  In 
this fantasy chain, multiple members discuss how they hope to still play music while in 
medical school.  The Doctor states, "I'm hoping I can keep up my piano in medical 
school, maybe find a teacher and do a lesson once a month."  This dramatizing message 
begins the fantasy chain.  darkraven replies with, "I'ld [sic] probably like to keep up with 
 
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music ... might be a little hard during clinicals and residency but we'll see what happens."  
darkraven's post reinforces that medical school will not afford the posters with many 
opportunities for music.  The next reply comes from GuitarHero1, who seems somewhat 
more optimistic in his or her post before ending it with the symbolic cue "if there's time."  
GuitarHero1's full post reads as "if anyone plays any instruments and will or is attending 
SLU, I'd be willing to jam (you know, if there is any free time)."  A final example comes 
from Luxian, who explains how he or she will miss playing music.  Luxian states "I'm 
going to miss it a lot! I know I won't be able to do as much, but I hope I can do some."  
Many individuals who express the "final hurrah" aspect of the WRM fantasy theme 
believe that they will be losing a part of themselves and their identities upon starting 
medical school.     
 The next relevant aspect of the WRM fantasy theme relates to the SDN Forums 
community's views on relationships and family.  Symbolic cues in this fantasy theme 
include as "normal," "love," and "worth it."  The pre-test discussed earlier in this thesis 
noted the presence of a "Supporting Actor" fantasy theme, in which the SDN community 
values relationships but expects their dating partners to be willing to play the "support" 
role in the relationship.  The more in depth analysis of the SDN Forums for this thesis 
reveals that relationships are still important to the SDN Forums community, as they often 
discuss dating issues.  The analysis of many more threads reveals that the SDN 
community values relationships even when dating partners are too far away to support 
them in traditional ways such as cooking and cleaning.  These individuals simply want to 
be with the people that they care about.  For example, in a thread on finding a way to 
make relationships work while in medical school, one poster states the following: 
 
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Hopefully we can work somethin out where we can be physically together, but if 
not, we'll work out something so we can see each other as much as possible. I'm 
sure that neither of us is going to let this separate us, but it is still frustrating. 
 
Love is "what really matters" to this poster.  Dookter also expresses that he or she finds it 
absolutely necessary to see his or her wife as often as possible.  Dookter states that, "It's 
great to have someone there all the time to just live life with.  It is easy as a medical 
student to get caught up in things and forget to just be a normal person."  This post 
continues the argument that relationships are worth pursing while in medical school.  
Finally, kedrin summarizes this argument in a different thread by stating that, "It has 
always been my assumption that if someone truly loves you that they will do anything to 
be with them."   
 The WRM fantasy theme renegotiates the values of the SDN community.  The 
WRM fantasy theme does this by establishing that individuals can and should date while 
in medical school and that relationships are worth more than just cooking and cleaning 
services (as discussed in the preceding paragraph).  In the WIT fantasy theme, many 
posters suggest that for an individual to be successful in medical school, he or she must 
put school first.  Some posters take this argument further in suggesting that one should 
not date at all while in medical school. The WRM fantasy theme argues against placing 
medical school on a higher level than one's relationship.  In the same dating thread 
discussed in the preceding paragraph, a poster states "i did not expect so many people to 
say put your careers first and relationship second."  He or she adds the following: 
I do not think a life or a career should be such a one sided view. I do not think 
having a life beyond work neglects your patients. In most ways i see it supporting 
it, i do not know about most people here but i honestly can say i need some 
emotional backing and time to relax from work/school. I could not see my self 
practicing medicine without having those two sides to my life, performing a 
 
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balancing act. I guess im just trying to say that i need both a great career and a 
relationship in order to be successful in both.  
 
Other posters respond favorably to this renegotiation of values.  Concubine replies with a 
criticism of the SDN members who feel that dating is not possible in medical school.  
Concubine continues the WRM fantasy chain by using the symbolic cue "human."  In a 
direct response to a poster who advises the community not to start serious relationships, 
Concubine states "I would rather be human."   
The thread continues with other posters renegotiating what really matters to them 
by expressing how important it is to date and have an active social life outside of medical 
school.  Instatewaiter (listed as a medical student), takes one last jab at the small minority 
of posters who suggest that dating is impossible during medical school.  Instatewaiter 
states that, "Nothing says awesome like being single for 10 years straight during your 
prime. I swear you wont regret it."  While this post is humorous and effective in 
establishing the group's shared values, one last comment truly embodies the love aspect 
of the WRM fantasy.  foster033 explains why the WRM fantasy is important to the SDN 
community in claiming the following: "Having a career and following your dreams is 
important, but so are the people you love. Some people would rather give up a job than a 
person."  The "love" fantasy type is expressed more often than the idea of work being 
more important than life. 
 As in the pre-test discussed earlier in this thesis, some examples of the WRM 
fantasy theme are exposed through observing the shared fears of the SDN community.  
This reasoning proved itself in the pre-test, as individuals who feared not having time to 
date obviously saw dating as very important.  In two separate threads on the things that 
 
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the SDN community fears most, posters ultimately reinforced the ideas discussed in the 
WRM fantasy theme.  The fact that these individuals' fears reinforce the WRM fantasy 
makes the fear fantasy type a relevant sub-theme within the WRM discussion.  SDN 
posters are most afraid of people or things that can take away what really matters to them.  
One of the most commonly expressed fears is the loss of humanity as a result of a career 
in medicine.  The following two examples show how this fear reinforces the need for 
humanity and freedom that is expressed in the previous paragraphs on dating in medical 
school.  scrubsaresexy claims the following: "I think my biggest fear is not being able to 
have a family, or if I do have a family, being a bad mother because I'm always work."  
TexasMD2B shares this fear of not being human in posing the following question ?is 
?losing my sense of humanity? a viable answer?".  These posts further demonstrate the 
depth of the WRM fantasy theme, as they use symbolic cues such as "human" to note 
how important a social life is for medical students.   
 The fear of having wasted time in medical school is also shared by many of the 
SDN Forums members.  An individual who is being reassigned the name Marty due to 
using his name in his post states the following as his greatest fear:  
Brain Tumor (Dr. Greene style), or schizophrenia, or anything that ruins my mind 
[sic] The thought of all my hard work, sacrifices of my time and family, not to 
mention thousands of dollars of debt and at the end of it all, I lose my one most 
valuable asset.  
 
While this fear is technically about losing one's mental capacities, it ultimately refers to 
having wasted valuable years of ones youth for nothing.  As noted earlier, the members 
of the SDN Forums believe that using ones time well is very important, so Marty's post 
effectively addresses that issue.  Another post that talks about the fear of wasting time 
 
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comes from Chaser08.  Chaser08 gives the following example of wasting time as a fear 
in the WRM fantasy theme: 
Picking the wrong specialty. I know you can change, but I'd rather not spend 
years in one specialty, deciding I hate it, and then having to pick another one. I've 
met people who've done residency and 2 or 3 fellowships before getting it right. 
Crazy thing was, the guy finally decided he wanted to do surgery, which is not 
easy to get to from other specialties. So he's like 40 and still in training. 
 
Chaser08's post is effective not only because it reinforces a shared fantasy but also 
because it uses a personal story to demonstrate the fantasy. 
 One final WRM fantasy theme is the fear of litigation.  Many posters on the SDN 
Forums discuss how they are afraid of making a mistake for moral and legal reasons.  
Lawyers are the only people that the SDN community can agree upon as "the enemy," as 
they are mentioned in threads with topics such as finances, dating, and shared fears.  This 
fear of litigation is relevant to the discussion of the WRM fantasy theme because the 
SDN community realizes that lawyers can take away what matters to them most.  For 
example, in the same thread referenced earlier on shared fears, etf simply posts "lawyers."  
This post starts a social drama, in which Law2Doc suggests that a fear of lawyers is 
actually a fear of making a mistake.  Law2Doc states that saying an individual's greatest 
fear is litigation is "just another way of saying your biggest fear is screwing up, except 
that you are more concerned with the impact on you than the patients."  Other members 
of the forum do not accept this breach in the fantasy, however.  macgyver22 places 
reinforces that lawyers are enemies in stating that  
Actually its not the same. Many lawsuits have nothing to do with 'screwing up'. 
Negligence need not occur for a lawsuit [sic] to be filed. You only need an angry 
patient. You don't need malpractice to win a lawsuit, you only need to convince a 
an uneducated ignorant ( as in no knowledge of the subject and no experience 
working in the field) jury there was malpractice. If all lawsuits were truly the 
 
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result of physican negligence, there would be far fewer lawsuits and much less 
lawyer loathing. 
 
macgyver22's statement that many lawsuits occur for corrupt reasons is accepted by other 
members of the forum, and the shared fantasy of lawyers being evil is once again 
established within the community.  Although several more examples of SDN members 
discussing the serious sides of litigation exist, most discussions on lawyers being evil 
occur in a somewhat friendly, joking manner.  For example, in a thread referenced earlier 
in this thesis on saving a potentially long distance relationship with a lawyer, one poster 
replies with the following statement: "All of the risks, none of the benefits. Especially if 
you're married to a lawyer."  Other members share this sentiment as well as the thread 
progresses.   
 To summarize, the following four fantasy types are significant in the WRM 
fantasy theme: time, "final hurrah," the value of relationships, and fear of losing one's 
career.  The concept of time is important to the SDN Forums community, as members 
express it in the time fantasy type and the fear of losing one's career fantasy type.  
Members often note that they are concerned about maximizing their time use and fear 
that they might waste their precious free time.  Alternatively, the fear of losing one's 
career fantasy type also reinforces the importance of time, as many members note that 
their greatest fear is losing their career due to an accident or a lawsuit.  Members note 
that years of their lives would have been wasted in medical school if they lost their jobs.  
Finally, posters express the value that they place on family, friends, and lovers in the 
"final hurrah" and relationship fantasy types.  These fantasy types are marked by posters 
stating that love is more important than medical school.    
 
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The majority of the SDN Forums community is interested in living a healthy, 
normal life outside of their careers.  This desire to live like other twenty-somethings is 
discussed through examples of maximizing free time and insisting on having a dating 
presence while in medical school.  As these things are important to the members of the 
SDN Forums community, they also are present in the discussions of what the community 
most fears in becoming a doctor.  
Summary of Analysis 
 The version of Bormann's (1972b) fantasy theme analysis used in this thesis 
provides five fantasy themes that effectively describe the SDN Forums community.  
These themes, "I NEED to Go Here" (INTGH), "Team SDN," "Oh Pre-Meds" (OPM), 
"What It Takes" (WIT), and "What Really Matters" (WRM), cover a wide variety of 
subjects but all give examples of what the community values and dislikes.  INTGH looks 
at the qualities that the SDN community thinks a good medical school should have.  
Similarly, the WIT fantasy includes discussion on what makes a good doctor as well as 
how one succeeds at medical school.  The "Team SDN" fantasy is shared when members 
advise each other during trying times.  One of the main purposes of members sharing this 
fantasy is to assure each other that they are "not alone."   
The next fantasy is not as positive in nature but tells a great deal about the 
personal traits that SDN members admire and dislike.  This fantasy, the OPM fantasy, is 
used when posters want to differentiate themselves from typical pre-medical students.  
Many members of the SDN Forums feel that pre-medical students are "lame" and do not 
know how to enjoy themselves.  Finally, the WRM fantasy is perhaps the most interesting 
of all the fantasies in the SDN Forums.  In this fantasy, members explain that while their 
 
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medical school and career responsibilities are important, enjoying life and having friends 
and loved ones is more important.  This theme is usually expressed when some posters 
assert that dating and socializing are bad ideas while in medical school.  As a final note to 
this analysis, each of the fantasy themes includes several fantasy types that help reinforce 
the values of the community.  Two of the fantasy types were actually fantasy themes in 
the pre-test discussed earlier in this thesis.  These two fantasy types, "real doctors," and 
"the importance of relationships" appear in the WIT and WRM themes, respectively.  It is 
important to note that these fantasy types were discussed as fantasy types and not themes 
because the larger scope of this thesis showed that they actually had a smaller role than 
originally expected.   
In conclusion, through careful analysis of hundreds of threads in the SDN 
Forums, five fantasy themes describe a great deal of these pre-medical and medical 
students' communication.  The conclusions section includes an explanation of the 
overarching rhetorical vision that ties these five themes together. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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VI. CONCLUSIONS 
 This thesis successfully uses Bormann's (1972b) fantasy theme analysis to find 
five fantasy themes in the SDN Forums, a group of Internet forums for every kind of 
medical student and doctor.  After reviewing the literature on relevant topics such as 
fantasy theme analysis, symbolic convergence theory, and uncertainty reduction theory, 
the thesis moves into a description of the methodology with a pre-test for reinforcement.  
The methodology uses a systematic sample to select hundreds of threads from the  
?Pre-Allopathic? (for future medical doctors) and ?All-Students? (for any member of the 
SDN Forums to discuss any topic) sections of the SDN Forums.  After reviewing these 
threads, categories emerged based on similar belief and value sets of the posters.  These 
categories were further narrowed to five fantasy themes with varying fantasy types to 
support them.   
The five fantasy themes are "I NEED to Go Here" (INTGH), "Team SDN," "Oh 
Pre-Meds" (OPM), "What It Takes" (WIT), and "What Really Matters" (WRM).  The 
INTGH fantasy occurs when members discuss the schools that they most want to attend.  
Topics range from what makes a school perfect to the specific admissions requirements 
for different schools.  This fantasy also allows for posters to show desperation by asking 
other posters to "give up their spots" in medical school to more deserving people.  The 
"Team SDN" fantasy serves two main purposes: to build camaraderie within the SDN 
community and to reinforce the utility of the SDN Forums.  In this fantasy, posters who 
 
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feel uncertainty about medical school receive reassurance from other posters who have 
been "in the same boat."  The next fantasy, OPM, is not as positive in nature as "Team 
SDN," but it does create shared consciousness in the forums.  In the OPM fantasy, 
individuals trade stories about the stereotypical "pre-meds" whom they have encountered 
during their careers.  Posters establish what behaviors are acceptable from pre-medical 
students in this fantasy.  Finally, the WIT and WRM fantasies tell a great deal about the 
SDN community.  The WIT fantasy establishes the heroic doctor whom most of the SDN 
community hopes to be.  In addition to establishing the qualities that ideal doctors should 
have, the WIT fantasy also features advice from medical students and residents who want 
younger pre-medical students to understand "what it takes" to succeed in medicine.  The 
WRM fantasy coincides with the WIT fantasy because it establishes the community's 
shared villain: lawyers and anyone else who might take away a doctor's career.  This 
revelation comes from threads in which SDN members post about their family and loved 
ones who matter more to them than their careers.  Because the community values its time 
with loved ones so much, members greatly fear losing their career because it would mean 
that they had wasted valuable time in their twenties that they could have spent with their 
friends and family.  As noted in the research questions, shared fears are telling of what is 
important to a group, making this finding significant. 
The results of this thesis suggest two things: Bormann's (1972b) fantasy theme 
analysis is effective for large-scale studies on Internet communities, and communication 
in Internet communities can serve as a substitute to interpersonal communication with 
advisers or other individuals (parents, friends) who usually give advice.  This section of 
the thesis will further discuss these two key developments of the analysis of the SDN 
 
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Forums.  However, first it looks at the rhetorical vision present in the SDN Forums as 
instrumental to understanding the results of the fantasy theme analysis.  The conclusions 
section will also look at the potential problems in this study and suggest some areas for 
future research.  
 As Bormann (1985) notes, a rhetorical vision is "a unified putting-together of the 
various scripts which gives the participants a broader view of things? (p. 8).  Evidence of 
a rhetorical vision is proof of shared values and goals within a community.  Rhetorical 
visions link all of the fantasy themes and types in a way that makes sense of concepts that 
sometimes do not seem to work together.  This thesis is no exception, as the rhetorical 
vision present in the SDN Forums shows shared consciousness in the members' 
communication of complicated fantasy themes such as INTGH and OPM.  It effectively 
relates all five of the fantasy themes and explains why some of the SDN members go to 
each other for major advice. 
It's Still Worth It (ISWI) Rhetorical Vision - A Look at the Values of the SDN Forums 
 The ISWI rhetorical vision explains that while many problems are associated with 
going to medical school and becoming a doctor, it is still a worthwhile pursut.  ISWI is 
ultimately quite similar to the rhetorical vision found in the pre-test on the SDN Forums.  
The pre-test rhetorical vision "It Is Difficult But Possible" (IIDBP) asserts that the SDN 
community understands that becoming a doctor is difficult but is concerned with 
motivating one another to continue working.  Like the IIDBP vision, the ISWI vision is 
marked by members telling each other to "stay positive" and "keep trying."  However, the 
ISWI vision is better developed, as it consistently appeared in the three hundred threads 
analyzed in this thesis.   
 
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 The ISWI rhetorical vision effectively summarizes the values shared by the SDN 
Forums community.  Members who stress over being admitted to medical school and 
describe the process as a gamble ultimately go through that stress because they feel that it 
is still worth it.  Members who express the WIT fantasy theme by talking about missing 
concerts and other fun events to study also explain that the work is ultimately worth it in 
the end, as they will have the opportunity to help others.  The reach of the ISWI vision is 
also reinforced by the fears expressed in the WRM fantasy theme.  Most of the members 
in the SDN Forums fear things such as health problems or lawyers who can take the 
profession away from them, making the work of medical school not worth it.  Still, none 
of the members in the threads used in this thesis report having gone through litigation or 
debilitating health situations; they simply shared thoughts on what it would be like to lose 
everything.  
 The ISWI rhetorical vision is reinforced predominately by senior members of the 
forums who list themselves as medical students or moderators.  These individuals have a 
frame of reference for the experiences of a medical student and often encourage younger 
members not to lose sight of the end goal of becoming a doctor.  While some individuals 
complain about issues such as unpleasant medical students or rising malpractice 
insurance prices in the OPM and WIT fantasy themes, senior members tend to argue that 
the salaries and peer relationships are still good enough to make medical school worth 
attending.  The "Team SDN" fantasy theme especially represents the shared values of the 
ISWI vision, as members congratulate each other on being accepted and talk about how 
exciting it is to move closer to a career in medicine (even with the sacrifices). 
 
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 One of the most important aspects of the ISWI rhetorical vision is that it details 
the shared values and goals in the SDN Forums.  By studying the examples in each of the 
five fantasy themes explained in the analysis section of this thesis, one can conclude that 
the members of the SDN Forums feel a great amount of pride in their medical 
accomplishments.  This pride is also evident in threads described in the INTGH fantasy, 
in which individuals congratulate other members who have been accepted into medical 
school but note that they are jealous.  The jealousy that some members feel comes from 
the fact that personal accomplishments are valued so highly on the SDN Forums.  
Personal accomplishments are routinely idealized in the WIT fantasy, where members 
sometimes brag while complaining about the amount of work that they have to do in 
medical school.  Accomplishing things on one's own is a rite of passage for members of 
the SDN Forums, as some senior members tend to discuss how pre-medical students do 
not understand what actual medial students have to do.  The desire to achieve great things 
is a large part of every fantasy except OPM, where the members of the SDN Forums 
reflect on "pre-meds" and even parody the group to which they belong. 
 The heroes and villains identified in the ISWI rhetorical vision also help explain 
the SDN Forums community.  The main hero type is the "real doctor" described in the 
WIT fantasy.  This ideal doctor often is not someone that the SDN members know in 
person; he or she is simply who they hope to be.  For the SDN community, this superhero 
doctor is someone who values servitude more than money and is genunitely interested in 
learning more about his or her profession.  As noted earlier, members use the symbolic 
cue "help others" repeatedly when discussing why they want to be doctors or what they 
admire in the medical profession.  A key example of this hero type comes from both the 
 
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"Team SDN" fantasy and the WIT fantasy, in a thread about the racial dynamics of 
medical school.  After a poster notes that he or she wants to inspire others to follow in his 
or her footsteps, many other posters note that the desire to help others is admirable and 
express a similar interest in inspiring others.  The "real doctor" hero type is further 
expressed in other threads where some individuals suggest that they are not sure they 
want to attend medical school.  This stock scenario ends with members of the SDN 
Forums building up their "real doctor" hero type in explaining that individuals who 
succeed are completely committed to being a doctor.  The "real doctor" hero is always 
committed to his or her work and is not lured away from the profession by lucrative 
options in other careers. 
 On the subject of money, the greatest villains described in the SDN Forums are 
lawyers.  While it is also notable that "gunner" medical students are hated by many SDN 
members, some posters consider themselves "gunners," so it is difficult to label these 
individuals as enemies.  As noted in the WRM section of the thesis, lawyers are almost 
always discussed as being evil in the SDN Forums because the SDN community fears 
what they can do.  The SDN Forums community mentions lawyers in a thread on the 
things they fear the most, where the consensus is that lawyers have the ability to take 
away what doctors work so hard to accomplish.   Also mentioned in the WRM section of 
the thesis is a thread on making a long distance relationship work.  In this thread, the 
original poster reveals that his or her fianc?e is a lawyer.  After this revelation, a few of 
the posters tell the original poster that it is not worth trying to make a relationship work 
with a lawyer.  Although the derogatory lawyer posts were made in a light-hearted, 
jesting manner, several members of the SDN Forums found it necessary to attack the 
 
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original poster's fianc?e's career choice to prove a point.  This point is that lawyers and 
SDN members are not to mix.  The only instance of a poster defending a lawyer came 
from the aptly-named (but respected senior member) Law2Doc, who tried to defend the 
profession in a thread on what the community fears the most. 
Significance and Application of Findings 
Effectiveness of Fantasy Theme Analysis in Internet Communication 
 Although the fantasy theme analysis method has proven to be useful in connecting 
shared values and thoughts in written communication for over thirty years, not many 
studies use the method on Internet communication.  The relevant fantasy theme analyses 
of Internet groups are included in the literature review of this thesis and some of them are 
even used in this thesis' applied methodology.  While Internet studies by scholars such as 
Alem?n (2005) and Perry and Roesch (2004) were useful in developing the methodology 
for this thesis, they appeared in journals and therefore did not cover the large number 
(and variety) of threads needed for this thesis.  Alem?n and Perry and Roesch's studies 
focused on specific types of threads or posts, making them not require as many examples 
as this thesis needed in order to make a convincing argument.   
 As this thesis uses fantasy theme analysis to study the communication of several 
thousands of people (there were 137,000 members as of March, 2008) on any topic that 
they discussed for thirty days, it was interesting to see that the method worked as 
concisely and convincingly as it did.  While the thesis was limited to two sections of the 
SDN Forums, I still feared that the members' conversations might vary too much to find 
convincing fantasy themes.  Not only did the method provide fantasy themes, but it 
provided enough examples that I had to decide which ideas were prevalent enough to be 
 
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called fantasy themes and which would have to be developed further or labeled as fantasy 
types.  Also, the systematic sample described by Krippendorff (1980) is effective in 
fantasy theme analyses, as systematic samples give Internet scholars a great amount of 
text to analyze without fear of researcher bias.  This study's sample yielded conversations 
ranging from medical school applications to musical tastes and provided me with a fair 
look at a normal day's communication in the SDN Forums.  
 Thus, this thesis proves the utility of Bormann's (1972b) method.  Fantasy theme 
analysis can be applied to a group as diverse as the SDN Forums' community and still 
produce convincing fantasy themes; thus, the method should continue to be used.  While 
some scholars might be inclined to choose a method created more recently for a study on 
technologically mediated communication, Bormann's method can be applied to find the 
significance in most kinds of communication.  Also, this thesis is significant to the 
fantasy theme analysis methodology because it shows that the method can be used to find 
themes on a grander scale than most studies use.  This thesis, for example, included 
hundreds of threads.  
Forum Communities as Advice Communities 
The second significant finding of this thesis applies more to the actual results of 
the study than the method itself.  The results of this thesis suggest that the members of the 
SDN Forums do not exclusively seek advice from their college advisers.  This finding is 
instrumental in understanding how pre-medical students reduce uncertainty about being 
accepted into medical school or surviving internship programs.  In addition to perhaps to 
their advisers, the individuals on the SDN Forums talk to other medical students online.  
Members consult one another for advice that one might expect forum members to give: 
 
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thoughts on bands, television shows, and travel destinations.  However, the SDN Forums 
community also asks for advice on long distance relationships, extracurricular activities, 
and which universities they should attend.  The fact that SDN Forums members seek each 
other's advice on which schools they should attend (and which classes they should take) 
is one of the most important findings in this thesis.  This finding suggests that college 
advising does not completely address topics that are relevant to the SDN community, 
meaning that college advisers could learn a great deal from the results of this analysis.    
The findings of this thesis suggest that universities might need to change their 
requirements for advising and require all pre-medical majors to speak with advisers more 
regularly.  If this is already the case, perhaps some universities could benefit from 
creating an Internet forum for their pre-medical students to discuss potential schools to 
attend and classes to take.  This resource could be even more useful if students from 
outside universities were allowed to read different universities' forums and ask the 
students questions.  By requiring each student to register through his or her university, the 
anonymity of the SDN Forums would not be present in this new advising system and 
would allow students to receive accurate advice.  College advisers would still have a 
prominent role in this system by moderating the forums and providing advice when 
necessary. 
A large part of the preceding paragraph is speculation on what might help college 
advising in the future.  Still, the reason for this speculation rests on the results of this 
fantasy theme analysis of thousands of pre-medical and medical students.  The findings in 
fantasy themes such as INTGH and "Team SDN" show evidence of SDN members not 
understanding the admissions process and relying on the advice of anonymous Internet 
 
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posters.  The following paragraphs further analyze how advising fits into the 
communication in the SDN Forums. 
One of the most important findings of this thesis is that many individuals use the 
SDN Forums for making major life decisions.  Almost every thread (in the Pre-Allopathic 
and All-Students Forum sections) is an advice thread.  As most of the threads in the SDN 
Forums exist for individuals to help one another, the most respected posters on the SDN 
Forums are those with advanced statuses.  These individuals have a status that appears 
under their screen names in every post that they make.  As noted earlier, statuses range 
from "Pre-Medical" to "Medical Doctor."  A sign of individuals sharing values or goals is 
for one individual to quote the post of another before replying to it.  The individuals who 
are most commonly supported or accepted are those with a status of "Medical Student" or 
higher.  Although these individuals sometimes make fun of younger members, they tend 
to dispense relevant advice when necessary.  Although senior members could potentially 
lie when giving advice, their advice is not questioned by members of inferior status. 
 The SDN Forums community's interest in status reflects the values of the 
community.  Because the members of the forum idealize doctors and individuals who 
have "what it takes," they are more likely to listen to the advice of the individuals who 
are the closest to becoming doctors.  Individuals with a high SDN Forums status also tend 
to start fantasy chains of "Team SDN," as they remind younger members to stay positive 
and focus on the task of completing their pre-medical work.  Not only that, senior 
members tend to start the fantasy chains of WRM and WIT, as they discuss not worrying 
about the financial aspects of becoming a doctor and instead spending more time with 
family and friends. 
 
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 As so many of the threads on the SDN Forums are advice threads, it is worth 
asking why this community is not asking their college advisers some of these questions.  
Obviously it is not the responsibility of an adviser to give a college student advice on 
making a long-distance relationship work, but that type of question is actually in the 
minority of the questions asked in the SDN Forums.  Most of the threads in the SDN 
Forums ask about extracurricular activities to put on a r?sum? and admissions processes 
and managing money while in school.  The members of the SDN Forums either do not 
mention their visits to talk with their advisers, or they do not talk to their advisers at all.  
Many of the threads in the SDN Forums (particularly in the INTGH fantasy) suggest that 
some of the members of the forum do not understand how to write a letter of 
introduction, how to interview, what to include in a r?sum?, or how to decide upon a 
medical school.  While senior members of the forums answer most of these confused 
individuals' questions, it is an interesting trend that perhaps some pre-medical students do 
not go to their college advisers for major decisions involving medical school. 
 As suggested in the preceding paragraphs it is not clear how the members of the 
SDN Forums feel about traditional advice from college advisers, as I did not encounter 
any posts that specifically mentioned them in my research.  However, one of the things 
that attracts a great number of individuals to the SDN community is its reputation for 
giving excellent advice about medical school.  In an example from the "Team SDN" 
fantasy, one poster states the following about the SDN Forums: "I wish I had found this 
site a while ago.  It would've made my entire process a lot smoother.  Good advice on 
here."  Similar messages of support for the SDN Forums and the multiple threads asking 
 
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the community for serious advice show that the thousands of SDN posters feel that the 
community is one of the best sources of intelligent advice. 
 While thousands of individuals ask for advice on the SDN Forums, this advice is 
typically informal in nature.  The examples in fantasy themes such as INTGH and "Team 
SDN" show that SDN posters often do not reinforce their claims with research or articles.  
However, SDN members still seem to appreciate the different perspectives offered by the 
wide variety of advice in each thread.  Most of the advice in the SDN Forums suggests 
that the community desires an "insider" look at life as a medical student or resident.  
While traditional formal college advising most likely still helps the SDN community 
make decisions, it cannot offer pre-medical students the same perspective that students at 
other schools can offer.   
Scholars such as Brown (1985) and Davis (2005) express the significance of 
storytelling in the process of organizational socialization.  One way that individuals 
reduce uncertainty about an organization or community is through listening to stories 
from individuals who are members of that organization or community.  Organizational 
socialization scholarship from Cawyer and Friedrich (1998) and Miller and Jablin (1991) 
further explain the need for uncertainty reduction for new members of an organization.  
The scholars explain that organizations should offer new or potential members the 
opportunity to talk with current members of an organization about their experiences.   
Based on the research of the aforementioned scholars and the results of this 
fantasy theme analysis, further implications exist for college advising.  As the SDN 
Forums members rely on the informal advice given through stories and examples in 
threads, perhaps college advisers can add an informal aspect to the formal aspect of their 
 
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work.  For example, many members of the SDN Forums discuss their visits to different 
schools in the INTGH fantasy theme.  These visits to different schools ultimately are 
similar to recruiting visits and perhaps do not always offer the most realistic view of what 
it is like to be a student at these schools.  Also, many posters mention that they cannot 
afford to visit more than one school, which severely limits their opportunities to meet 
other students.  It might be useful to have summertime visits from medical students and 
residents with ties to the university.  In these sessions, pre-medical students could ask the 
medical students questions about the daily experience of being a medical student.  
Professors should encourage the students to ask any question that interests them and most 
likely should not be present during the sessions to increase the pre-medical students' 
comfort levels.  While individuals who speak to pre-medical students might not represent 
every university that interests the pre-medical students, the opportunity to learn about 
being a medical student would still be useful.       
Uncertainty Reduction Theory and Organizational Socialization 
 Scholars such as Berger (1979), Berger and Calabrese (1975), Clatterbuck (1979), 
Gudykunst (1983, 1985), and Kramer (1999) explain the ways that individuals reduce 
uncertainty.  The scholars suggest methods such as asking questions, seeking 
information, and self-disclosure.  As noted in the previous section, most of the threads in 
the SDN Forums are advice threads.  This need for advice suggests that the original 
posters in most threads experience uncertainty about topics such as choosing medical 
schools and managing long distance relationships.  The SDN posters' need for advice 
relates to the ISWI rhetorical vision.  When posters ask how the SDN community feels 
about debt or the loss of free time due to becoming a doctor, they are trying to decide if it 
 
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is still "worth it" to become a doctor.  These individuals most likely hope to have their 
uncertainty reduced through reassuring comments from senior members.   
 This thesis expands uncertainty reduction theory by showing that fantasy theme 
analysis can provide evidence of individuals attempting to reduce uncertainty.  Future 
research could use fantasy theme analysis to study uncertainty in groups ranging from 
Internet communities to real-life communities.  As fantasy theme analysis can lead to the 
discovery of shared values, goals, and fears, it can potentially help explain the uncertainty 
that scholars find in their respondents.  Understanding a group's goals could also help 
scholars understand what their respondents want to hear when they seek advice or 
reassurance. 
 In addition to discussing uncertainty reduction theory, the literature review also 
discusses organizational socialization research.  Jablin (1987) takes a stage-model 
approach to organizational socialization.  The scholar explains that anticipatory 
socialization is the first step to this process; it takes place when individuals seek 
information about organizations' cultures and values.  Members of the SDN Forums 
engage in anticipatory socialization by asking individuals from different schools about 
the unique cultures in their medical school departments.  For example, in the INTGH 
fantasy, posters who hope to decide on a medical school routinely discuss the 
personalities and climates at different schools.  As these individuals typically have not 
entered the organization (medical school) yet, they are trying to decide if they will easily 
merge into the organization's culture or if they will have to change their personalities 
accordingly.  The findings of this thesis suggest that the SDN Forums community (and 
 
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possibly other forum communities) use the Internet as an informal way of socializing 
themselves into an organization's culture before actually entering the organization.  
Finally, this thesis suggests that the implementation of fantasy theme analysis in 
Internet communities could be useful for organizational socialization research.  While 
fantasy theme analysis generally is not used in organizational socialization research, it 
could be useful in analyzing not only how individuals decide to enter an organization, but  
also what values they find to be important before entering.  These values could be found 
through the repeated sharing of fantasy types about entering different kinds of 
organizations.  Fantasy theme analysis would also help organizational socialization 
scholars decide what role Internet groups play in anticipatory socialization.  In the SDN 
Forums, the group's shared values play a large role in helping pre-medical students 
decide which ideas are accepted or disliked in medical schools.  For example, playing the 
role of a "gunner" is not acceptable according to medical students in the OPM fantasy.  
Medical students help socialize pre-medical students in the SDN Forums by explaining 
which roles and character traits are better-suited for a new student.   
 Thus, this thesis adds to uncertainty reduction theory and organizational 
socialization research in several ways.  The fantasies shared in the SDN Forums provide 
new data about the Internet's role in both uncertainty reduction and organizational 
socialization.  Members seek advice in almost every thread, with most of the topics 
focusing on medical school and its unique culture.  Finally, fantasy theme analysis can be 
applied to uncertainty reduction and organizational socialization research to explain how 
community values and goals affect both areas of research.  Fantasy theme analysis could 
 
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allow researchers the opportunity to better understand the motivating factors and fears 
that individuals have when joining new organizations.   
Potential Problems 
 Although the applied fantasy theme analysis methodology worked in this study, 
there are a few potentially problematic aspects of this thesis to discuss.  One area that 
causes problems in this thesis is the terminology.  As Mohrmann (1982) explains, some 
scholars use the terms "fantasy theme" and "fantasy type interchangeably.  For this thesis, 
I took Mohrmann's complaint into account by using the term "fantasy theme" to describe 
a set of shared values displayed through shared stories about a situation that occurred 
either in the past or that could occur in the future.  Rather than using the term "fantasy 
type" in the same way, I used that particular term to demonstrate the presence of different 
types of stock scenarios within a larger fantasy theme.  For example, in the WIT fantasy 
theme, the "real doctors" fantasy theme from the pre-test revealed itself as being a fantasy 
type: a stock scenario with repeating symbolic cues and settings that serves to reinforce 
the larger WIT fantasy theme in this thesis.  While I feel that this distinction between 
"fantasy theme" and "fantasy type" is clear, it might still need further clarification in the 
future.  Perhaps re-naming the term "fantasy type" could prove to be useful in future 
studies. 
 As noted in the previous paragraph, the "real doctors" fantasy type in this thesis 
was a fantasy theme in the pre-test.  However, that difference does not affect the results 
of this thesis (the "real doctors" concept arose in both the thesis and the pre-test, just 
differing in importance).  Similarly, the expanded thesis analysis found a  
 
 116
better-developed version of love's role for pre-medical students.  The expanded analysis 
still shows that many SDN posters value having a partner who is useful and makes their 
lives easier.  However, it adds to that notion with examples of how the SDN community 
appreciates their partners for the camaraderie and happiness that they bring as well.  
There were not enough examples of the human side of relationships to include it in the 
pre-test.  Some might argue that the two differences between the pre-test and the thesis 
analysis ("real doctors" and relationships) hurt the validity of the pre-test.  Instead, the 
differences between the two studies lie in the scope of the studies.  As the pre-test 
included a much smaller number of threads, some concepts appeared to be more 
important than they actually were due to the subject matter of the randomly selected 
threads.  However, this thesis includes a much larger sample of threads, leaving little 
doubt that the examples provide an accurate portrayal of the actual conversations in the 
SDN Forums. 
 Another potentially problematic aspect of this thesis is that many of the posts 
come from a period of time when pre-medical students are desperate to learn about their 
medical school acceptance statuses.  However, most of the threads on medical school 
acceptances sampled in this thesis actually started months before my sample time and 
were simply still going during the months of February and March.  While some might 
argue that too many of the threads in this thesis are about medical school acceptances, it 
captures the essence of why pre-medical school students work hard in school and post on 
the SDN Forums: they want to be accepted to medical schools.  These threads also 
provided a wide variety of sub-topics such as living arrangements, long distance 
relationships, and what it takes to succeed in medical school.  
 
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 One final problematic area in this thesis is that some individuals might fabricate 
their statuses, as there is no background check for individuals who join the SDN Forums.  
Therefore, an individual who labels himself or herself as a "Resident" or a "PhD Student" 
might actually be a pre-medical student or someone without any history of studying 
medicine.  While fabrication of one's identity is a legitimate concern with any study of an 
Internet community, many of the conversations in the SDN Forums seem to suggest that 
these individuals actually hold the status that they use online.  Most advice threads 
include specific advice on medical school campuses and every type of course, including 
knowledge of necessary prerequisite courses and funding options.  Also, individuals with 
high status ranks such as "Resident" are in the minority in the SDN Forums; this 
observation suggests that most members of the forum are interested in labeling 
themselves appropriately so that they may receive the best advice possible. 
Suggestions for Future Research 
 This thesis adds to the growing body of research on Internet communication.  
More importantly, it adds to the small body of research on fantasy themes in Internet 
communication.  Studies such as those by Alem?n (2005) and Perry and Roesch (2004) 
are forward-thinking in applying Bormann's (1972b) method to this still-developing area 
of communication.  As noted earlier, however, this thesis is the first study (at the time of 
publication) to use the fantasy theme analysis methodology to analyze entire sections of 
an Internet forum on such a large scale.  This thesis shows that by using the fantasy 
theme analysis methodology, a scholar can find examples of shared values, beliefs, and 
visions within an entire community.  This finding is important, because it is possible to 
learn more about specific groups of people while they communicate in an unrestrained, 
 
 118
natural setting.  Other studies look at fantasy themes in Internet communities as they 
pertain to one subject matter, such as love or death.  However, it is noteworthy that one 
can learn a community's complete outlook on a wide array of topics by not limiting one's 
study to particular subjects and instead sampling a wide number of threads from the same 
community. 
 In future studies, scholars should apply a similar methodology to other interesting 
Internet communities, whether work-related or social-related.  For example, before 
choosing the SDN Forums, I considered hobbyist and fan forums for topics ranging from 
video games to the Walt Disney Company.  These communities are interesting not only 
for the degree of love that their members communicate for video games or Disney but 
also for the ways that their members communicate about topics not unrelated to video 
games or Disney.  Using a systematic sample of threads from an off-topic section from 
any forum, a researcher can find evidence of how medical school, video games, Disney, 
or any other interest changes the shared values and beliefs of the forum's members.   
In addition to researching different kinds of Internet forums, this thesis' method 
could be expanded by comparing two kinds of forums.  Political forums might produce 
interesting results in this case.  For example, an especially large fantasy theme analysis 
could compare and contrast the fantasy themes in a Republican and Democrat forum.  It 
is worth noting, however, that a fantasy theme analysis of two Internet forums would 
require much more work from a scholar and might be better-suited for book publication, 
rather than traditional journal publication.  Finally, non-traditional forum settings such as 
YouTube might provide interesting results for fantasy theme analysis scholars.  YouTube 
allows users to reply to each other's videos with video responses, which help remove the 
 
 119
doubts that plague Internet stories.  For example, analyzing video responses lets the 
scholar more accurately estimate the age and sex of the person in question.  Video 
responses also allow the researcher to assess the poster's mood and decide if he or she is 
serious or is simply being sarcastic.   
Finally, coding is perhaps more important in a study of an entire Internet 
community than a normal fantasy theme analysis of a particular aspect of a forum or 
blog.  Although most fantasy theme analyses do not discuss how posts are placed into 
fantasy themes, categorization of posts is significant to the development of the method in 
Internet studies.  For this thesis, I read each thread and then decided upon key themes and 
ideas expressed in the threads.  After labeling each thread's key ideas and expressed 
values, I placed similar threads in categories and returned to them to further evaluate their 
significance.  During this return-step, in which I reread the threads and made sure that 
they belonged together, that I saw the fantasy themes that existed (and sometimes did not 
exist) in the SDN Forums' communication.  The WIT fantasy theme, for example, did not 
appear upon my first labeling of similarities in the SDN Forums.  However, after 
studying the threads in relation to other similar threads, a consistent theme in the  
pre-medical students' conversations discussed who has what it takes to succeed in 
medicine.  Before the rereading step, I only noticed the "Real Doctors" fantasy from my 
pre-test; however, the "Real Doctors" fantasy was actually only relevant as a fantasy type 
in the larger WIT fantasy theme.   
The fantasy theme analysis methodology can be applied in numerous ways to any 
kind of Internet forum to analyze the shared values, beliefs, and goals of its members.  
This thesis serves as an expansion of Bormann's (1972b) original ideas but takes the 
 
 120
entire body of research on fantasy theme analysis into account.  Bormann's fantasy theme 
analysis method has evolved over thirty years to analyze messages from books, speeches, 
television, film, and now the Internet.  As long as a group of individuals communicate, no 
matter what the medium might be, it is relevant to analyze their shared beliefs to see what 
they say about major life events, jobs, changes, and politics.  With the popularity of 
forum communication only increasing, this is an exciting area for researchers to pursue, 
as this thesis suggests that some individuals turn to their Internet forum friends for advice 
before their immediate friends and family.   
 
 
 
 
 
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