Avatars and Personality

I got to thinking about this after reading this article and following the train of thought to my own frequent avatar switching. The gist of the article is that men play as women fairly often (at least compared to the reverse) in online games, with some interesting results...

So in other words, a form of role-playing, perhaps subconscious. Not perfect, as the article goes on to say—Surface details changed, but more ambiguous or firmly rooted habits stayed constant—but interesting nonetheless.

I began to think about this in the context of avatars, the masks we wear, and realized they might have some things in common. My last avatar of consequence as of writing was this one, and while bearing it I became contemptuous and snide towards certain people, prodding them and then laughing at their reaction; meanwhile, my current one as of writing is this, and I've already begun to write more neutral, open, or vulnerable posts as a result. Two just tonight. Obviously I could still open up with the former or be incited to anger with the latter, but even then my responses tend to be filtered, e.g. I might confess something in an aloof or detached way, or express my anger as though flustered or on the verge of tears.

Now, I'll be the first to admit I'm a performer—such a good one in fact that I find it hard to keep track of what's sincere and what's an act—but I also doubt that nobody else in the world does this. So what do you think? Does this happen to you? Do you change your avatar to suit your mood... or do you find the opposite happening, that your mask of choice changes the expression you wear underneath? Do you place significance on your avatars, or just wear the characters you enjoy (or both)?

 

When creating a character for a game I don't really float toward either male or female specifically, I choose the one based on my current mood. Recently I started playing Dragon Age and for some reason really wanted to make a male character. I always find that more interesting, the female Shepard that I made in Mass Effect, I feel, doesn't really reflect me and I don't really like her and kind of wish I had gone with a male one but too late now. It is a question I think about a lot and to one that I have no answers, I prefer beast characters (or ones that aren't human at least because I find human in fantasy to be dull because I am one myself... obviously). I also don't know whether that changes my gaming strategy or not, I'd have to think about it more.

On KHV though, I quickly get bored of an avatar especially if I don't like it. I make lots and just see which one I prefer and use that. I think if I go for a full on theme with a name change and everything then I may act more like the character I have become e.g. when I was Cardinal Richelieu then I think I was probably a bit more cunning and fiendish but not much of a change that would be noticable. I don't fully transform into the character (unless some random thread in the spamzone calls upon it >:3) but I find great enjoyment in portraying their being, it just makes me comfortable.

Currently, I am just Ienzo with a Twelfth Doctor avatar, currently, no one outside DW production knows what he'll be like but I am increbibly excited for series 8 which I like to portray in my avatar space. I am at a stage though where I am not fully obsessed with anything where my mind is one track, all it can think about so I don't really have a theme.

I find this topic interesting though, I do wonder what the psychological reasoning behind a lot of avatar choices is (mostly in online gaming though)

 

People project themselves in such a way to match their self-image. I learned this recently, when someone pointed out to me that my avatars use pictures of myself as a child for many of my online accounts. I'm not very confident, and would usually want others to take the lead in social situations. Although that isn't always true, I see myself as "younger," inexperienced and reliant on others. The avatars I would pick would match that image I have of myself.

As for avatars having influence on self-image: our bodies can be seen as avatars. Mood and personality can change as the one's look does. A person can feel more confident or professional when wearing a suit, or free and young when wearing hippie fashion. I think gender is also an influence for many people. This is my guess, but I think people have a range of personalities, and picking different looks or avatars would allow them to express the different sides of it.

 

There must exist a motive for changing one's avatar in the first place, a propellant of sorts. So you change it for a reason, there is a particular aspect of yourself which you wish to showcase to the world; and then perhaps somewhere down the line you (sub)consciously alter your actions to adhere to it. If by that time you become cognizant of the fact of your own susceptibility toward outward influence, then you might change it again for the purpose of starting anew with a "blank slate" so to speak. This is generally my motive for switching in any case.

Example. When I had Illyana (Magik) as my icon, I tended to be especially flippant toward people. Perpetually self-satisfied. It wasn't solely an act per se, although I did enjoy portraying a Daemon Overlord in a Skirt, Ruler of Limbo, Mistress of All and Subjugate to None--! Carried away there. At first I identified, I utilized her face for the purposes of self-expression, and then I fell into the niche. Then I changed to my current icon, Julio (Rictor). I do not share his suicidal ideation, but I find him relatable nonetheless as he's always struck me as very real and that's how I wish like being for the moment-- and feel like, minus the suicidal ideation. No energy for supporting a front, a facade, pretext.

Basically what @Daydreamer said. This study may be of interest.

 

"Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth." - Oscar Wilde

If my avys have some sort of impact on my behavior then I failed to notice. But then I' ve never thought of them as masks, it' s more like which picture do I want to put in my room.

However the cover of anonimity that I and everyone else get online does alter my behavior. In real life I tend to be the tapestry guy, it usually takes a while for me to get comfortable enough to lift the barriers. Unless I can tell the person I' m speaking to is even more uncomfortable than me. I think of it as shyness, people often read it as arrogance. Heh, maybe they' re one and the same, go figure. When I' m online I still keep some restraint, but I speak my mind more freely. No way for people to cut me off, no risk of real life retaliation, less reasons for me to tiptoe around the bush.

 

I use to change myself accordingly, at least for a few avatars. But I'm still me, mood switching all the time whether or not a face is there. It doesn't dictate me any more, I have no investment in it. Might explain why I haven't changed this one in so long.
Still, Varric is a storyteller, and I feel like that fits me pretty well in real life right now, more than my online persona. Strange, but it's maybe me bringing myself onto here.

As a part to the avatar in games, I usually play as 'myself' first time through, which would mean moral right, male character. However, most everything else is different. Typically I design a green eyed, dark skinned, white haired guy, with a tattoo or two. And i'll try to be anything but human, so that means elf, dwarf, or creature.
For the upcoming Dragon Age 3 i'm probably going to be a Qunari because they are unique to the series and i'd like to play the game as an 'outsider' to the typical DA world. Or for Star Wars: The Old Republic I loved playing a race as the opposite of what they're typically characterised as (like a light side Sith Pureblood, or a dark side Republic Trooper). Oh, and in The Elder Scrolls I usually play a new race each time, but not what they're specialised in, so instead of playing a High Elf as a typical mage, I played him as an archer assassin.
If these say anything about me, i suppose it's that I like playing as the underdog or the non-stereotypical version of a race. It's fun to play against type, I find.

 

I actually very rarely used avatars, I only have the one I haev now because of @Llave
What I CAN say is that the avatar a person has on a forum largely determines the tone I read their posts in
Like @Ars Nova a lot of your avatars have half naked men and blushing, so my mental image is that you send your KHv posts from inside a sauna

 

I think they have a great effect on who we become. I noticed their effect on behavior since before I first joined KHV. I stuck with my old avatar and always go back to it because of how completely it represents who I want to be. I think the same of names.

Silly avatars make me become less serious and increase the amount of sarcasm I use. Feminine avatars make me more sensitive to jabs, more inclined to innuendo, and more likely to lash out at people without reason (observed after the fact). Older avatars make me less likely to post when I do not have something meaningful to say.

My old avatar makes me more pensive and thoughtful about what I say. Not quiet, but neutral.

I was reluctant to use this one, but I admit, it is growing on me. How does this one affect me through your eyes?

 

I've noticed throughout the years, and I couldn't begin to count the numbers of users I've seen do this, users will portray the character or theme they're using at the moment. Sometimes it's noticeable to the point of being roleplay but other times it's subtle and unseen for the most part. I've actually noticed myself doing this for years. I never really got into the whole roleplay side of things but I have noticed subtle changes in the way I write. A lighthearted avatar, for instance will produce lighthearted responses. A serious avatar might make me very strict. "Girly" avatars ... I just act like I normally do, pretty much. I believe it is related to perception, specifically how we perceive ourselves to be. Currently I'm looking at an image of special agent Olivia Dunham. She looks pretty professional so, reviewing the last several posts I've made off the top of my head, my latest posts have been a tad bit more professional than they normally would be. Visual stimulation can often help change a persons mindset ... perhaps this is similar to instances where actors will adapt the characteristics of the role they're portraying.

I feel like you're more sincere in your posts, more kind. It's absolutely dashing and I think the game of chess befits you perfectly. Love the signature as well ^^

-Nights

 

I personally don't see this type of thing happening with myself.

I'd like to think that my posting style and attitude towards others has always remained consistent, regardless of the type of avatar I'm using - the only instance I can think of where I would've acted any different would have pertained to maturity when I posted here some years ago.

In any case, I utilise avatars from franchises that I enjoy, and they're usually quite neutral so I can't see myself projecting through them.

 

I've been giving this a lot of thought -- maybe too much -- and I've come to the conclusion that my avatars do actually affect how I act.

With this one, I'm more likely to think things through before I post. I'm less likely to rush and I don't tend to be as sarcastic.
And when I'm using something like this, I tend to be very impulsive and very snarky.

Honestly, it might just be me projecting the character without even realizing it. Still, I think my actions don't stray too much when I have a different icon. Little things will swing here or there, but for the most part certain traits are set.

 

Generally there are two things I try to go for with my avatars: the first is that I like to have an avatar that reflects my general attitude, or a major facet of my personality (like a Dante avatar as a reflection of my generally relaxed, fun-loving, and positive attitude). The other category is uniqueness; I like my avatars to be different from everyone else's, even if it's an avatar of a character that plenty of people are going to have as an avatar. This is for online avatars only by the way, gaming avatars I just try to give them an appearance I like.

 

I just switch them if I've had one for a few months, just so people can better be assured that I am still here. I don't act any different based on what my avatar is, but on how I feel or think; the only attachment I have with my avatars is that I like how they look, which speaks about my preference in character design, writing, color, image design, etc.

 

People's avatars show a lot about them, for example i make my avatars on another site. Maybe it means i'm creative and sure enough, i am. I also realize that some ppl are who they want to be online which may not be their selves in real life. In all honesty, and personalty, I like my avatars to reflect my creativeness. Meaning, you'll never catch my avatar being a picture u can find online not made by me. Your avatar pic can effect your mood quite often w/o u even knowing it. In real life, I would never be able to speak to ppl so openly if i didn't know them, still on sites where i have no avatar, I'm more reluctant to communicate w/ others, but when i have an avatar, as i noticed yesterday, I'm more willing to talk. So yeah, your avatar may accuratly say who you are or it may not.

 

Before I continue, you sounded condescending.

I'm assuming you didn't 3D-model the character or the items they wear in your avatar. Correct me if I'm wrong. You picked out an avatar from a combination of things that other people made. Not that that is uncreative.

Is it really so different from picking out which avatar you like best? What is the difference between playing dress up with someone else's 3D art and playing dress up with someone else's 2D art?

 

Respectfully, i'm using avatars from meez, i can pick a lot of things about them, in fact there are hundreds of avatars on the site and rarely any of them look alike. I could have a different face, multiple tattoos or look like an alien if i wanted, i actually take hours to dress and customize my avatars. If you'd like to see some ppl's pages on the website i go to, u can, and there you'll see, none are alike. On the site u can custom make ur own pieces if u collab w/ the company and nearly everything comes in a different color. I do think that it's an expressive way to do something, in fact lot of ppl there spend lots of time customizing their avatars. Mines a character i made and no one else has, so i guess in a way...it's like making a sims character, I could post pics i made of characters i made comic books for.

Sorry if i sounded condescending, I'm not good at wording and it translates as condescending. I wasn't trying to down anyone's choice to use a 2d pic or a character that exists. I was just saying i personally want my avatar to reflect who i am as a person so i make them.

There isn't really a difference, nor was i trying to imply that there was.

Thanks for informing me of how it sounded.

 

No problem.

If you see where I was going with it then that's good enough. Thank you for reading.

 

I think the point about resembling the character you have in your avatar is a good once, but that it's not necessarily attached to the avatar.

To speak from personal example, I love characters. Not just "oh these are my favorite characters," but as a student of literature and a heavy consumer of character-centric media, I love to see how characters grow and interact and relate. I in particular develop heavy attachments to certain characters, usually because I relate to their struggles or personality heavily. I go through phases where I'm obsessed with one character for a while and then usually choose to represent that in my avatar (here at least -- on other sites I don't change my icon as much but I also don't visit other places as frequently, aside from tumblr but I'll get to that). The avatar reflects my headspace at the moment.

Illustrating by example, Princess Bubblegum and Marceline. This is a slightly unique example because I otherwise rarely utilize avatars with more than one character in them, but even so: they represent two sides and various traits I see in myself. PB is sweetness and warmth, but also a lack of emotional expression and connection to others, treating people as test subjects, madness, and responsibility. Marceline is the side of my that tries to affect a cool and breezy composure but ends up acting like a petulant child at times -- but also a creative side, one that draws heavily on emotion, sometimes to a fault & surprising even myself. Representing them together I think relates to a romantic side of me, and a desire to see all those traits married together, even though they may collide and conflict.

I'll use Bastila from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic a lot as well. I find myself most drawn to her when I am struggling with emotion, when I am adopting that hard exterior and attempting -- in vain -- to hide what rumbles beneath. The avatar in particular that I use for her is a bit sexual I feel, in expression, for a few reasons: it's repressed sexuality and a desire to express that. I also use this icon on tumblr, I've never changed and don't plan to, because I feel it is most representative of who I am on there.

Then there's Leia from Star Wars, who is intensely political and motivated, who will fight and place herself in direct danger for her causes despite having a privileged life. But she's also a bit of a pain! She's so superior and condescending.

And then finally Bellemere from One Piece, who represents optimism for me, and elements of motherhood. Hope and love.

There is a lot of overlap here but I feel which character I choose to represent me reflects which struggle or values are most important or relevant to whatever is happening in my personal life at the time. In that vein I wouldn't say that the avatars affect my posting style, but rather, that my emotional and psychological state do, and my avatars are just another way of expressing that. I gravitate towards them because there's something in them that my previous avatar doesn't express that I now want to.

And if they look cool.

 

Another factor may be the color scheme of the avatar, as color can have surprisingly profound effects on human thought (fun podcast on the subject: http://www.cracked.com/podcast/20-ways-color-background-noise-are-brainwashing-you/). For example, I would guess that primarily red color schemes would make people a bit more assertive or quick on the attack, as it were, depending on the situation. In my experience, it's possible that the purple/blue color scheme of my avatar makes me more analytical (as well as more verbose) than I might otherwise be. That's not to say that the content isn't important as well, as Kaworu Nagisa is certainly a level-headed and analytical character.

 

That is a really good topic =o

I actually place ALL the importance in the world on how my avatar looks. Because he will be the centre of the story, and I will be him, to do that adventure. I always put myself in the character and now video games give us the pleasure to change physical things, hair, body, ect... well, I can't just do something ordinary.

When I choose one it's always a male [ Sorry girls xD ]. I must be really crazy about men but it is always masculine [ obviously it's just because I wanna represent myself in the game, i got nothing against the girls ]. And I tend to give him a cool look, warrior-like. I am not strategic of '' smart looking '' in games. I always choose crazy sexy-like with shaggy dark hair.

I might be crazy but when I have time to think, I create a whole world in my head, with me and some other friends warriors saving it from bad monsters, and I do imagine myself looking cool with awesome clothes, nice swords/spike hybrid, and cool hair.

So yeah, when it comes to personalise my avatar, you can be sure I will have more hours spend on that, than on the game itself xDDD It is just too important to be skipped...