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Having an alter ego can reduce anxiety, benefit confidence: research

bbc.com

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Re: Having an alter ego can reduce anxiety, benefit confidence: research

#111

Post by nashalo_nighly »

dmuth wrote: post #22
ben_w wrote: post #7

I wonder how much this applies to furries. How often is a fursona “the real me” vs roleplay? I’ve witnessed both in different individuals, and also both within a single person (primary ‘sona and some other separate ones which are just role playing). Adjective Species probably had an article on this, though it also reminds me of the discussions about therianthropy, contherianthropes, and New Age discussions of the use…

Yep, this is the comment I came here for! On a related note, I attended Dr. Gerbasi's research results at Anthrocon a few years ago, and she noted from her furry survey that the experimental group (furries) rated themselves higher in response to questions such as "I feel good about myself" versus the control group. (her college students)

As a graduate student myself I’d be wary of taking students as a control group.

Re: Having an alter ego can reduce anxiety, benefit confidence: research

#112

Post by themonoid »

mr_overalls wrote: post #17

I've long been fascinated by the complex imaginal techniques of tantra in Tibetan Buddhism, in which you vividly imagine yourself as a yidam, or tutelary deity. Via intense concentration on elaborate self-visualization, repetition of the yidam's mantra, and ritualized hand gestures (mudra), you take on the form, attributes and mind of the yidam for the purpose of transformation - to recognize that one's own mind is n…

If you're using tantra (vajrayana) for ego-oriented material benefit, then that's called "spiritual materialism." According to Tibetan Buddhism, the vajrayana can be dangerous for you and those around you.

Edit: I apologize. I realize that was very heavy handed. I felt obligated to throw out the usual warnings about Buddhist tantra.

Re: Having an alter ego can reduce anxiety, benefit confidence: research

#114

Post by fullsend »

john4534243 wrote: post #91
laurent92 wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Actually, dissociation of character is a trait that is rewarded. Although people will claim they want kind-hearted people as lovers, they also very often conveniently ignore what they do for work, and how cruel they have to be, and the partners happily enjoy the shared money (or respect they have from the world). Lovers surely know it: hard to claim Che Guevarra’s wife, Stalin’s wife or Pablo Escobar’s wife didn’t kn…

> Che Guevarra’s wife, Stalin’s wife or Pablo Escobar’s wife Comparing Che Guevarra and Pablo is totally unfair. Che was a true inspiration, born in a rich family, became a doctor and yet sacrificed his life and fought for what he thought would make the society just. On the other hand Pablo is just a gangster who did not care outside of his family.

Pablo Escobar, like modern day cartels in Mexico, gave away lots of money to local communities. He built hundreds of houses for the poor. It’s mostly ego, and buying good will, but there’s definitely a component wherein the government has failed these communities and the Narcos step up.

Re: Having an alter ego can reduce anxiety, benefit confidence: research

#115

Post by amelius »

HugeAcumen wrote: post #77
pc86 wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's insidious about that, exactly?

It's deception to an utter randomer, as well as to yourself. You really need to be careful with lying to yourself like that. Being a whole integrated person who doesn't have to remember who he is and what lies he's told comes in handy.

Yes, but aren't there notorious liars that are doing pretty well in life?

Re: Having an alter ego can reduce anxiety, benefit confidence: research

#116

Post by Twisol »

tasogare wrote: post #74
50ckpuppet wrote: post #6

you mean like 4chan?

I’ve recently browsing 4chan again (only few specific boards) and I have the feeling it’s the reverse: people there can state their opinions, totally disregarding how socially unacceptable it would be. Which means their alter-ego is probably the IRL one, which has to shut up a lot of thoughts to blend in society.

> Which means their alter-ego is probably the IRL one

Another possibility is that they can make claims they don't really stand behind, because there's no personal responsibility for their statements. Trolling, essentially.

The problem is, it's often hard to tell which is which. A bit of Poe's law.

Re: Having an alter ego can reduce anxiety, benefit confidence: research

#118

Post by amelius »

dmuth wrote: post #22
ben_w wrote: post #7

I wonder how much this applies to furries. How often is a fursona “the real me” vs roleplay? I’ve witnessed both in different individuals, and also both within a single person (primary ‘sona and some other separate ones which are just role playing). Adjective Species probably had an article on this, though it also reminds me of the discussions about therianthropy, contherianthropes, and New Age discussions of the use…

Yep, this is the comment I came here for! On a related note, I attended Dr. Gerbasi's research results at Anthrocon a few years ago, and she noted from her furry survey that the experimental group (furries) rated themselves higher in response to questions such as "I feel good about myself" versus the control group. (her college students)

The question is if this is caused by having an alter ego, or (for example) by the fact that these people experience more control over what they look like.

Anyway, whatever the reason, perhaps it is also why lots of people like to get tattoos.

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