

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!
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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".
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.
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.