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Imaginary friend

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For other uses, see Imaginary Friend.

Imaginary friends, also known as “imaginary companions”, are pretend characters often created by children. Imaginary friends often function as tutelaries (or perform a tutelary function) when they are engaged by the child in play activity[citation needed]. Imaginary friends may exist for the child into adolescence and sometimes adulthood. Imaginary friends often have elaborate personalities and behaviors. Although they may seem very real to their creators, studies have shown that children understand that their imaginary friends are not real.[1]

Medical and philosophical aspects

The development of imaginary friends by a person does not alone necessarily signify a problem or disorder.[2][3] According to the DSM-IV, imaginary friends are classified as a psychological disorder only if they interfere with everyday social interactions[citation needed]. It could possibly be a solution to feeling lonely.

According to some theories of psychology[citation needed], an understanding of a child's conversations with their imaginary friends can reveal a lot about the anxieties and fears of that child as well as the child's aspirations and perception of the world. Some children report that their "imaginary friends" manifest themselves physically, and are indistinguishable from "real" people.

Purposes

People may invent imaginary friends for companionship, as part of play, or for other reasons. Imaginary friends can serve as an important source of companionship to some children and adults. As an example, clinical psychologists have reported that[citation needed] young children in boarding schools often develop imaginary friends to cope with extreme stress and separation from their family.

According to some psychological theories[citation needed], children often use their imaginary friends as outlets for expressing desires which they would normally be afraid to engage in or for which they would normally be punished. Proponents of these theories state[4] that it is not uncommon for a child to engage in mischief or wrong-doing and then to blame the crime on their imaginary friend, allowing the child to act out fantasies that they are otherwise restricted from experiencing due to societal constraints. Similarly, psychologists report[citation needed] that children often give their imaginary friends personality traits that they themselves lack and make their imaginary friends into ideal versions of themselves: shy children often describe their imaginary friends as playful and outgoing jokesters who are always making them laugh and who are very popular.

A long-time popular misconception holds that most children dismiss or forget the imaginary friend once they begin school and acquire 'real' friends. Some psychologists have suggested that children simply retain but stop speaking about imaginary friends, due to adult expectations and peer pressure. Some children report creating or maintaining imaginary friends as preteens or teenagers [citation needed], and a very few adults report having imaginary friends. [1] [2] [3]

References

  1. ^ Taylor, M. (1999) Imaginary Companions and the Children Who Create Them. New York: Oxford University Press
  2. ^ Imaginary friends open up fantastic world - ABC Science
  3. ^ Imaginary Friendships Could Boost Child Development - Science Daily
  4. ^ Imaginary friends: Should you be concerned?
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