The avatar faculty : ecstatic transformations in religion and video games / Jeffrey G. Snodgrass.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Snodgrass, Jeffrey G., author.

Series:

Ethnographic Studies in Subjectivity

Ethnographic Studies in Subjectivity ; v.16

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Avatars (Virtual reality).

Video games--Psychological aspects.

Video games.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (277 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Oakland, California : University of California Press, [2023]

Summary:

The Avatar Faculty creatively examines the parallels between spiritual and digital activities to explore the roles that symbolic second selves--avatars--can play in our lives. The use of avatars can allow for what anthropologists call ecstasy, from the Greek ekstasis, meaning "standing outside oneself." The archaic techniques of promoting spiritual ecstasy, which remain central to religious healing traditions around the world, now also have contemporary analogues in virtual worlds found on the internet. In this innovative book, Jeffrey G. Snodgrass argues that avatars allow for the ecstatic projection of consciousness into alternate realities, potentially providing both the spiritually possessed and gamers access to superior secondary identities with elevated social standing. Even if only temporary, self-transformations of these kinds can help reduce psychosocial stress and positively improve health and well-being.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

List of Illustrations

Key Terms and Abbreviations

Preface

Central Characters and Settings

Introduction

1. Sacred and Secular Settings

2. The Psychology of Avatar Therapeutics

3. The Psychosocial Dynamics of Avatar Therapeutics

4. Distinguishing Therapeutic from Toxic Avatar Experiences

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

Appendix A. Chapter 2 Supplemental Material

Appendix B. Chapter 3 Supplemental Materials

Appendix C. Chapter 4 Supplemental Material

Notes

Glossary

References

Index

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780520384378

0520384377

OCLC:

1356008760