Ok, so with the couple posts about changing my scary avatar, ....i accidentally ran into an article that is trying to explain the psychology of choosing an avatar in cyberspace. Here's a quote:
One way to categorize avs would be to use well-known personality types as a guideline - for example, McWilliams (1994) system for psychoanalytic diagnosis. Although these types described by McWilliams are for clinical diagnosis, when translated to a non-pathological dimension, they also are very useful in categorizing "normal" personalities. The theme, characteristics, or interpersonal impact of an avatar may be closely associated with one of these specific types.
narcissistic - themes of power, status, perfection, grandiosity; draws for admiration and praise; feelings of being "special" and "privileged"
schizoid - themes of interpersonal detachment and indifference, perhaps combined with evidence of abstract or intellectual thinking; little evidence of warmth and tenderness; the "loner" themes
paranoid - distrust, isolation, hypervigilance, blaming or finding fault with others; cold, humorless, argumentative characteristics
depressive - gloom, darkness, loss, low self-esteeem
manic - energtic, grandiose, impulsive
masochistic - self-destructive, themes revolving around the "bad self" or "woe is me"
obsessive/compulsive - seriouis, formal; themes of control and perfection; shows evidence of a concern about details and rules
psychopathic - antisocial, violates rules; little evidence of shame or guilt; takes advantage of others; possible superficial friendliness or charm
histrionic - attention-seeking and seductive in flavor, dramatic, emotional, vain; themes involving dependency
schizotypal - themes of being aloof, indifferent; evidence of magical thinking or superstitious beliefs; peculiar characteristics
So which avatar are you?
Here's the rest of the article if you are so inclined. (Edited by GrungeSlobTearPants at 11:43 am on Sep. 26, 2003)