One of my first blog posts was entitled “Escapism into the World of Fantasy” (it can also be found here). Within it, I spoke about how fantasy books and games are used to escape from the bonds that life has ensnared us with.
Currently in my Psychology class, we are being taught about Supernatural Phenomenons or Anomalistic Experiences. How does this relate? Well, we were discussing people who suffer from neuroticism and why they are more likely to people in the Paranormal. It appears that they try use the paranormal to escape from reality, therefore making it a defence mechanism or even a safety mechanism in order to run away from real life. See the similarity? If you class the paranormal as Fantasy (which I do, as I don’t believe in any form of the paranormal), then this is essentially the same as using books or games to escape, except that it displays you have a more vivid imagination. In fact, these beliefs in the paranormal could have easily been inspired by fantasy novels, or even truly great literature!
Take A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Supernatural phenomena plays a big part in this story. So, it is equally possible that a person who is convinced that the paranormal exists will have enjoyed this book and used it as some form of escapism in early life. Then, if this person has a very lively imagination, they may start to believe that they are living in their own adaptation of A Christmas Carol, using it to hide from the iron fist that is reality. Quite possibly, due to a disorder such as neuroticism or just strong beliefs, they might start to perceive the world as being filled with ghosts and will therefore, in their eyes, be living in a paranormal world.
I suppose the same concept can be applied to any Fantasy book or game: a person enjoys a story too much and become immersed in it to the point of concern and then use it to escape. I imagine Sherlock’s ‘Mind Palace’ whenever I picture this: someone being bullied or shouted at and they just close their eyes, block out the noise and retreat into a story where they are the singularly most important person.
I can’t say my use of fantasy is in anyway science-y. I am, in fact, a very anti-science person. That’s not to say I don’t understand the importance of science in the world, I just don’t enjoy learning about it. Which is why I’m surprised I enjoy Psychology. I suppose it is a “social” science, but even so. It’s still got the word ‘science’ in it so I’m quite proud of myself! Saying that, our most recent lesson did involve having to watch a tedious TV programme about Joe Swash trying to decide whether he believed in ghosts or not… there were two reasons I disliked this. Firstly, I find the whole possibility of believing in the supernatural ridiculous. And secondly, Joe’s voice annoys me beyond reason. Not a great mix in all honesty.
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