Karpuk V.A., Kelembet D.D. Psychological differences and self-change potential of cosplayers subculture and geek culture

The article examines the personality traits of representatives of geek culture and the cosplay subculture. This hobby, originally popular only among a small circle, has now reached unprecedented popularity: massive festivals dedicated to cosplay and geek culture are held worldwide, drawing significant interest from large companies and the media. Each year, the number of people involved in these subcultures continues to grow; however, their personality traits remain underexplored, both in Russia and abroad. Even less studied is the issue of differentiating geek culture and the cosplay subculture, which, while closely related, are fundamentally distinct communities.

The main goal of this research is to identify psychological differences between these communities in parameters such as engagement, creativity, self-esteem, and the potential for self-transformation. The study was conducted on a sample of 66 respondents, including 30 cosplayers and 36 geeks. The following methods were used: “Personality Self-Transformation Potential”, “Basic Foundations of Self-Esteem”, and the Morphological Test of Life Values.

The study results showed that cosplayers have higher levels of engagement and creativity compared to geeks. Cosplayers also demonstrate a strong inclination toward personal change and the capacity for conscious self-transformation; however, their belief in the possibility of changing others is lower than that of geeks. Additionally, it was found that life values such as “self-development” and “achievement” are more prominent among cosplayers, as is a significantly higher orientation toward “competition with others.”

The data obtained suggest that cosplayers exhibit a greater focus on personal development and conscious self-improvement, whereas geek culture is more oriented toward passive consumption and reflection on transformations. This study provides new insights into the psychological characteristics of these subcultures and may be useful for further academic research in the field of subculture studies.

Key words: cosplay, geek culture, potential for self-change, passion, subculture

For citation: Karpuk, V.A., Kelembet, D.D. Psychological differences and the potential for self-change in the subculture of cosplayers and geek culture. New Psychological Research, No. 4, 157–184. DOI: 10.51217/npsyresearch_2024_04_04_07

Acknowledgement

The experiment was carried out with the support of the Russian Science Foundation grant: "Dynamic Personality Resilience in a Space of Sociocultural Uncertainty, No. 22-18-00140".