High dissociatives, nature versus nurture?

Non-pathological dissociative experiences are common among the general population, and anyone may experience them to some degree. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the degree of dissociative experiences such as fantasy proneness, imagination, and absorption in fine arts undergraduates prior to beginning their artistic studies, and at the end of their studies at the faculty of fine arts. Moreover, education undergraduates were used as a comparison group. The sample consisted of 440 undergraduates (204 fine arts, and 236 education undergraduates; 224 first-year undergraduates, and 216 fourth-year undergraduates), who were administered three dissociative experiences tests: Dissociative Ability Scale, Dissociative Experiences Scale, and Questionnaire of Experiences of Dissociation. The working hypotheses were substantiated with dissociative experiences being a distinctive personality trait of fine arts undergraduates. We have found a grade level difference between first-year and fourth-year fine arts undergraduates, although the study does not examine the nature of the change itself. The results are discussed in the light of previous studies, and new lines of research proposed.

Change in brand attitude depending on fashion film type: the psychological mechanisms by engagement and consumer fantasy proneness

PurposeThis study investigates the effect of consumers' brand attitude changes according to the fashion film type. Furthermore, it examines the psychological mechanism by engagement and consumer fantasy proneness. This study is meaningful because it provides a more in-depth understanding of the use of fashion film as a means of consumer-oriented persuasion communication.Design/methodology/approachThis research uses a 2(fashion film type: narrative vs non-narrative) × 2(consumer fantasy proneness: high vs low) mixed factorial design to test the hypotheses. ANOVA and the PROCESS macro mounted on SPSS was used to test hypotheses.FindingsThe group with high consumer fantasy proneness showed more changes in brand attitude when exposed to non-narrative than narrative fashion films, but the group with low consumer fantasy proneness showed no significant difference in brand attitude change according to the fashion film type. In addition, when consumer fantasy proneness is high, media and brand engagement for non-narrative fashion films increase sequentially, resulting in a greater change in brand attitude, whereas these psychological mechanisms do not work in groups with low consumer fantasy proneness.Practical implicationsFashion brands should identify their respective target group when producing fashion films and choose differentiated narrative forms. In the case of pursuing a fantastic aesthetic value, the non-narrative type induces more attention and curiosity from consumers than the narrative type, which affects the feeling of a special bond or relevance with the brand.Originality/valueThis study has value in that it demonstrates the rationale for why a fashion brand needs to select a differentiated content structure according to the aesthetic value pursued when making a fashion film in branding work.

Take the plea: the factors that influence innocent individuals to accept plea bargains

Recently, plea bargaining has emerged as a factor that contributes to wrongful convictions. When a Crown offers a reduced sentence or lesser charge to a defendant in exchange for a guilty plea, there is the potential for innocent defendants to plead guilty. However, little is known about the factors that are influencing innocent defendants to accept plea bargains. The current study aimed to investigate the role of false evidence, risk, and modality on an innocent participant’s likelihood of accepting or rejecting a plea bargain. In a laboratory, innocent participants (N = 174) were accused of collaborating with another participant (confederate) on a problem solving task, and offered a plea bargain. Results showed that when participants were told there was an 80% chance of sanctions if they rejected the plea, they were more likely to admit guilt, and accept the plea. Additionally, participants who were high in compliance, high in fantasy proneness, or were younger, were more likely to accept the plea bargain. Implications of these findings for innocent defendants are discussed.

Take the plea: the factors that influence innocent individuals to accept plea bargains

Recently, plea bargaining has emerged as a factor that contributes to wrongful convictions. When a Crown offers a reduced sentence or lesser charge to a defendant in exchange for a guilty plea, there is the potential for innocent defendants to plead guilty. However, little is known about the factors that are influencing innocent defendants to accept plea bargains. The current study aimed to investigate the role of false evidence, risk, and modality on an innocent participant’s likelihood of accepting or rejecting a plea bargain. In a laboratory, innocent participants (N = 174) were accused of collaborating with another participant (confederate) on a problem solving task, and offered a plea bargain. Results showed that when participants were told there was an 80% chance of sanctions if they rejected the plea, they were more likely to admit guilt, and accept the plea. Additionally, participants who were high in compliance, high in fantasy proneness, or were younger, were more likely to accept the plea bargain. Implications of these findings for innocent defendants are discussed.

Two Tales of One City: Fantasy Proneness, Authenticity, and Loyalty of On-Screen Tourism Destinations

On-screen tourism destinations provide tourists with a mixture of reality and mass-media experience. This study builds a conceptual framework of authenticity evaluating the relationship between fantasy proneness, authenticity, and destination loyalty. It is among the first to compare perceived authenticity of dual images of a destination, both the film location and the story’s setting. Using Game of Thrones and the city of Dubrovnik as a case, it applies a mixed method of interviews followed by a main survey with both closed- and open-ended questions. The primary findings show that the relationship between authenticity of the film location (Dubrovnik) and loyalty is positive, but such relationship is insignificant for the authenticity of the story’s setting (King’s Landing). This investigation enriches our understanding of the complex assessments of authenticity and expands the theory of imagination by evaluating the effects of fantasy proneness on perceived authenticity in the context of on-screen tourism.

Understanding Fantasy and Adult Doll Play Through Regression in Service of the Self

This study explored doll play activities involving adult doll collectors, and students who participated in an experimental story creation task which incorporated dolls/toy images and urban/landscape settings. It was expected that a secure versus insecure sense of self would perform a mediating role. The study involved two data collections: Online and Laboratory. Both phases used a 10 item questionnaire regarding participant’s sense of self. The online phase measured attitudes about fantasy and play, along with creative aspects of the doll hobby by adult collectors. The laboratory phase sought to determine whether doll play activity involving undergraduate students could be simulated in a laboratory setting. We found that in both samples, a positive correlation was found between insecure sense of self and fantasy proneness. This indicates that adult collectors and to an extent undergraduates may utilize fantasy (e.g., world building) and doll play as an act of defensive regression to resolve internal conflicts. Subsequently, a negative correlation between planning the doll aesthetic and fantasy proneness was found in the adult collectors’ sample, which may indicate regression in service of the self.