Thursday, July 18, 2013

Blogpost # 5: Anonymity: Cosplay Psychology Part 2




           ANONYMITY



  As I was searching the net for the term cosplay psychology, I first encountered the word escapism, which is my topic for my 4th blog post. But as I was scrolling down the page, I entangled with the word "Anonymity". I was curious about that and since I am not familiar with the word, I decided to look an article about it. And as it explains, I found it somehow related in the psychology of cosplay.

Since "Anonymity" is an unfamliar word, let us first define the meaning of it. According to Merriam Webster, "Anonymity is the state of being anonymous." To further understand its meaning I unlocked the word anonymous, and find that the meaning of it is "lacking individuality, distinction or recognizability."  When you read its meaning it wont come into your mind its connection in cosplay. But as I read articles about it, I found an understanding about it and another meaning has come to my mind. It is like hiding your real self  by your made up "masks" since it wont make others judge you and somehow makes you stronger inside.

According to an article, The Psychology of Conventions and Cosplay, written by John Del Greco, he said that "Anonymity of any type allows people to express themselves in ways that may be unusual for themselves or not readily accepted as normal in society. The ability to hide their identity and assume another may draw some people to participate in cosplay."  It  further states that when doing a cosplay or just by wearing mask could make a person feel a supernatural powers and that could do anything. It could also create a mysterious effect on a person and could lead to liberation and to act differently. There is also a study about people wearing masks. It is found out that people who wear mask could easily negotiate and talk to others. People also gain confidence and could participate more if they create diversion from their true self.

Sometimes people tend to get shy in a new environment or a place and situations they are not familiar with. It is true that we gain confidence when we wear masks, not because we assume that we have supernatural abilities but because we could  hide something and pretend someone. It's like the first thing that they would remember is the "mask" and the character you are trying to portray, and not who you really are. Most of us are also afraid to be judge and out of place so in the end we tend to pretend someone.


It is also the same for cosplayers. They wear costumes and masks to pretend a certain character which they are not. It has a good effect and a bad effect of course. The bad effect of it, is that sometimes a person couldn't separate his lie to the truth. He was being into a character which he only made up and that isn't a good thing. One loses his self identity and eventually would live a life that was made up all of his lies. But the good thing about this is we gain confidence and it could be stress relieving. There are also times that we have to act differently regarding the environment we live in.

Sometimes we people tend to lie and pretend someone we're not because of some certain circumstances. Which is not really a bad thing but we must always remember who we really are. The same thing goes for cosplayers, it is fine to escape your average day and pretend someone you're not as long as in the end you know what is real, and what is not.

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