No Stupid Questions

217. What Happens When You Put on a Costume?

25 snips
Oct 27, 2024
Is stealing Halloween candy ever justified? The hosts explore the fascinating history of Halloween, from its Celtic roots to modern rituals. They dive into the psychology behind anonymous costumes and the impact of clothing on self-perception. The discussion includes how anonymity influences workplace feedback and educational evaluations. Personal anecdotes spark conversations on societal behaviors connected to costume trends, revealing surprising insights into our own identities. Halloween's evolution and its link to psychological accountability add an intriguing twist!
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Angela's Trash Bag Costume

  • Angela Duckworth's parents, unfamiliar with American traditions, didn't buy her costumes.
  • She wore a trash bag filled with newspaper, telling people she was "trash".
INSIGHT

Halloween's Evolution

  • Halloween's origins trace back 2,000 years to the Celtic festival of Samhain, marking summer's end.
  • Early costumes were meant to appease spirits, evolving to licensed characters and then to mitigate the holiday's increasing violence.
ANECDOTE

Diener's Halloween Study

  • Ed Diener's 1976 Halloween study explored de-individuation and morality.
  • Anonymous, costumed children stole more candy from an unattended bowl than those who gave their names and addresses.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app