217. What Happens When You Put on a Costume?
No Stupid Questions
Deep Dive
Why did Angela Duckworth dress up in a trash bag for Halloween as a child?
Her parents, who were Chinese immigrants, didn't understand the tradition of buying costumes, which they saw as wasteful. Angela wanted to fit in with American kids, so she improvised by cutting holes in a trash bag, filling it with newspaper, and wearing it as a costume.
What is the historical origin of Halloween costumes?
Halloween's origins date back about 2,000 years to the Celtic pagan festival of Samhain, where people wore disguises like animal skins or heads to avoid being targeted by spirits. Later, Christianity adopted the tradition, and costumes evolved from warding off evil spirits to becoming more commercialized and playful.
Why did Halloween become associated with violence in the early 20th century?
In the 1920s and 1930s, Halloween became a night of vandalism, rioting, and property damage, earning it the nickname 'night of anarchy.' Costumes were partly blamed for encouraging bad behavior because people felt anonymous and emboldened to act out.
What did the 1976 study by Ed Diener reveal about the effects of anonymity on behavior?
The study found that children were significantly more likely to steal candy when they were anonymous, as opposed to when they were asked to identify themselves. This suggests that anonymity can lead to increased moral lapses.
What is the 'real name fallacy' in online anonymity?
The 'real name fallacy' refers to the idea that forcing people to use their real names online can sometimes backfire, leading to increased discrimination and harassment. Revealing personal information can expose individuals to biases like sexism or racism.
How does clothing influence our psychological processes, according to the study on enclothed cognition?
The study found that wearing certain types of clothing, like a lab coat, can improve cognitive performance, particularly in tasks requiring attention. However, the effect depends on the symbolic meaning of the clothing, not just its physical presence.
Why are Kamala Harris masks not being sold by Spirit Halloween for the 2024 election?
Spirit Halloween is not selling Kamala Harris masks, possibly because she became the candidate too late in the cycle for manufacturing and distribution to catch up. This contrasts with the availability of Trump masks.
What are the potential downsides of anonymous feedback in the workplace?
Anonymous feedback can create a culture where people feel unsafe to speak openly, lead to 'who hunting' to identify the source, and make it harder to address issues directly because the feedback lacks context.
How did Halloween evolve from a violent night to a children's holiday?
Community organizations in the 1930s began hosting costume parades and house-to-house parties to keep kids out of trouble, which eventually evolved into the trick-or-treating tradition we know today.
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