Becoming a Character: Dissociation in Conservatory Acting Students
Maria Eugenia Panero1, Landon Michaels2, Ellen Winner1
1Department of Psychology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA.
Summary
Acting involves a unique form of dissociation, specifically absorption and imaginative involvement, which is central to the creative process. This trait, measured by the Dissociative Experiences Scale-II (DES-II), does not necessarily indicate psychopathology in actors.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Performing Arts
- Creative Cognition
Background:
- Actors realistically portray characters by "becoming" them, a process potentially linked to dissociation.
- Dissociation is typically associated with psychopathology, raising questions about its role in acting.
- The study investigates the relationship between acting, dissociation, and creative processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine dissociation levels in acting students.
- To explore the relationship between dissociation, creative traits, and flow states.
- To reassess the interpretation of dissociation measures in actors.
Main Methods:
- 53 conservatory acting students were assessed using the Dissociative Experiences Scale-II (DES-II) before and after six months of training.
- Dissociative Experiences Scale-II (DES-II) scores were compared to the general population.
- The relationship between DES-II subscales, flow dimensions, and creative processes was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Acting students scored significantly higher on the DES-II than the general population, particularly on the absorption and imaginative involvement subscale.
- No significant changes in DES-II scores were observed over the six-month training period.
- Specific dimensions of flow were found to predict dissociation and its absorption subscale.
Conclusions:
- The absorption and imaginative involvement subscale of the DES-II may reflect a trait central to the creative process, not necessarily psychopathology.
- High DES-II scores in actors might indicate heightened imaginative capacity rather than psychological disturbance.
- Clinicians should exercise caution when diagnosing dissociation in actors using the DES-II, considering its potential link to creative traits and flow states.
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