Elf Yourself.

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Psychology of Elves

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF ELVES

Second Life Psychology of Elves

According to Wanda Whybrow, an Elf in SL, lust and sex play a large part in the psychology of elves in SL. The purpose of this is to release tension and to demonstrate a feeling of closeness with other elves as well as a way to express tenderness toward others in their community.

Miravoir Psaltry interviewed some elves and has shared her findings on some of the motivations of their role-play. By clicking on this link, you can access an abridged transcript of the information she gathered. Her research found that Elves have artistic tendencies, are technologically phobic, kind and honorable people with high levels of integrity. They also have a high regard for life and the Elvin attribute of respect. They are considered to be dreamers who seek life through fantasy (Psaltry: 2005).

Inside a human brain

Inside an elf’s brain

Real Life Psychology of Users Who Role Play Elves in MUD’s & MMORPG’s

It has been a difficult task searching for information on the psychology of why people role-play as elves on Second Life. Nick Yee is a PhD. student from Stanford University and has surveyed more than 35,000 MMORPG players since 1999. Whilst that may seem a bit obsessive to some, he has gathered much information regarding the psychology of users role-playing in online games, which is relevant to virtual worlds.

After conducting the research, Yee formed the conclusion that the reasons that people role-play online games are subjective but they can be broadly categorised into five major reasons of motivation. They are: -

1. Relationship factor
2. Immersion factor
3. Escapism factor
4. Achievement Factor
5. Manipulation Factor – (which doesn’t appear to be relevant to elves in SL)

(Yee, 2007; p.195)

Users who are involved in online role-playing for Relationships usually develop meaningful relationships that are supportive but which of necessity, include a certain level of real life disclosure (Yee, 2007; p.195).

Those engaged for the Immersion Factor, enjoy being in a fantasy world as well as being someone else. They obtain enjoyment from story telling, both their own and others (Yee, 2007; p.195). In online virtual worlds it is unusual for role players to complain about their RL jobs or other meaningless things that occur in their day-to-day RW lives and many users found this to be comforting.

Online role players who are interested in the Escapism Factor use the virtual world to temporarily avoid, escape and forget about real life personal problems which could extend to RL poverty, sexuality, lack of social skills, lack of personal contact or interaction and many other issues (Yee, 2007; p.195)

People who perceive their own self worth and self-esteem as enhanced through achieving goals and accumulating possessions were categorised as motivated by the Achievement Factor (Yee, 2007; p.195).

The objective of some online role-players is to obtain feelings of power, superiority and comfort by manipulating others and they are allocated to a group motivated by the Manipulation Factor(Yee, 2007; p.195). From the social research we have done, Elves would have you believe that this is not a motivator for Elven role-playing.

A few online role-play motivators that were identified which did not fit into the five broad categories were:

• Role playing is entertaining,
• It provides a platform to experiment with different ways of communicating,
• It provides a means to practise a way to handle sensitive issues that may present in RL,

• some users have an interest in observing interactions between avatar users (Yee, 2007; p.195).

Whilst not necessarily applicable to Elves, Yee’s research uncovered major gender differences in motivation with males being more interested in Manipulation and Achievement factors (in that order) whereas women were more consumed by Escapism, Immersion and Relationship motivators.

According to research by Sonja Utz, 80% of role players try to play different roles which don’t have much in common with [their] true personality (Utz, 2000).

Utz’ findings (Utz, 2002) also revealed that a lack of social cues undermines perceptions of power and status leading to antinormative behaviour in online role-play. Online, people [who play elves] become depersonalised. Other users are visually observing moving avatars, which are often accompanied by stilted movement/co-ordination and written text. Users gain an equality of participation despite their loss of real life self-identity; they can reduce their self-regulation and lose their self-awareness resulting in disinhibited behaviour(Utz, 2000).

Megan Christie is a Master of Psychology graduate student at University of Western Sydney and is conducting a research project on the motivations and reasons why individuals' engage in MMORPG's . If you would like to participate in her research you can find a link by clicking here.

REFERENCE LIST

Christie, M Help Wanted Sydney Morning Herald 12 August 2008 retrieved on 13 September 2009 from http://blogs.smh.com.au/digital-life/screenplay/2008/08/12/helpwanted1.html

Utz, S. (2000). Social information processing in MUD's: The development of friendships in virtual worlds. Journal of Online Behavior, 1 (1). Retrieved on 16 September, 2009 fromhttp://constructedidentity.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/social-information-processing-in-muds.doc

Yee, N. (2007). The Psychology of Massively Multi-User Online Role-Playing Games: Motivation, Emotional Investment, Relationships and Problematic Usage. In R. Schroeder, R. and A Axelsson, (Ed.), Avatars at Work and Play: collaboration and interaction in shared virtual Environments (chapter 9). AA Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer

Drow: Roles, Religion, Culture & Education

Gender roles and Religion

Most drow societies reflect the deity they revere.

Society that reveres Goddess Lloth- the Spider Queen

This drow society is matriarchal and militaristic, with strong religious foundations, ruled by the most powerful drow priestesses. Women hold all positions of power and responsibility in government, the military, and in the home. Female drow are favoured by society as clerics, because the Spider Queen favours clerics of her own gender.

Males, however, are treated as servants, and even the highest ranking male is still ranked lower than the lowest ranked female. Men’s duties are to fight and guard the land, and if they wish to gain a greater status and sense of power in drow society, they can become priests or wizards.

Society that reveres God Vhaeraun- the god of thievery

Worshippers of Vhaeraun, have a more balanced view of the sexes, seeking equality but requiring the downfall of Lolth's existing matriarchy.

Society that reveres the good drow Goddess Eilistraee

Like the Vhaeraunian drow, drow cultures tied to the goddess Eilistraee enjoy a gender-equal society, except without the taint of evil, vengeance, and conquest that the other drows carry with them. The priesthood of Eilistraee tries to divert the drow war on the surface into a mass conversion from the dark elves' dreadful ways.

But the majority follow Lolth's teachings, and the remainder of this report assumes a Lolthian city

Culture

Residency and Architecture

Residence/Role-playing sims

Those that worship Lloth reside in caves knows as the Underdark. Examples these SL role-playing sims include Thraldom and Aglarond.

Worshippers of Vhaeraun roam the surface. SL sims include Aglarond and Avilion.

Eilistraee followers usually hide within the cities of the Lloth. Second Life such roleplaying sims are Aglarond and Avilion.

Architecture

In Lloothian cities, as a result of their affinity for arachnids (spiders), many spiders and similar looking creatures dwell among drow communities, and can be seen in drow sculpture, art and fashion (realms). These cities often have spider webs decorating the walls, and tend to be dimly light, with an eerie atmosphere. Magic items emitting faerie fire adorn the more prosperous buildings, as well as most of the family estates

There are slaves that cultivate fungi, and academies that cater to wizards, bards, rogues, assassins, and experts of various fields . Poverty, oppression, and desperation are the rule in the heart of a drow city.

The First House, most dominant family, of the city, usually has insignia openly displayed by its members and servants. Whereas, the insignia, of the lesser House can been seen on their weaponry.

Education

Drows have their own language known as “Drow Speak”, and some have developed unique body language, which allows silent communication.

The dark elves are renowned for their skill as clerics, fighters, scoundrels, and wizards. Their society rewards skill at arms, divine power, and arcane might. Drow rangers are valuable, too, serving as scouts who can roam the tunnels of the Underdark, seeking out threats to the cities of the dark elves.