Inverse features an interesting essay titled “The Unlikely Benefits of a Virtual Second Childhood.” The subtitle reads “Want a do-over? You’re not alone.” As this indicates, many are using child avatars in the alternative digital universe of Second Life to play out their childhoods again. Some choose never to grow up. The article explores the psychology behind this.
…Researchers Katherine Loveland and Richard Gilbert have focused a great deal of energy on figuring out exactly what that agenda is.
Loveland, a clinical psychologist and professor at the McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and Gilbert, a professor of psychology at Loyola Marymount University, are currently working on an expansive research project looking at why adults choose child avatars and why users choose to build virtual families. It’s unexplored territory — as far as Loveland and Gilbert know, this is the first study to examine these choices.
Another fascinating aspect of virtual worlds and cyberculture.
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