Psychology of Halloween Costumes

How Your "Trick or Treat" Mask Reveals Your Personality Traits

© Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

Oct 11, 2006
Psychology of Halloween Costumes, stock xchange Pat-swan
Here's how Halloween costumes reveal your personality traits - whether you like pirate swashbuckler costumes (think Captain Jack Sparrow) or sexy French Maid costumes.

The psychology of Halloween costumes is all about what your choice of Halloween costume reveals about your personality traits. Creative Halloween costumes also reveals personality information about your friends, family and colleagues - so watch what their "trick or treat" masks!

What your Halloween mask reveals could be more important than what it hides.

When you notice how your friends and family dress up at Halloween, you learn about their personality, true self, and what makes them tick. Do they tend towards superhero costumes or nurse attire? Are they dressed as food, murderers, or movie stars? That's the psychology of Halloween costumes - and how costumes reveal personality traits.

If you go beyond the psychology of Halloween costumes, you've also found a great conversation starter at parties! What the trick or treat mask reveals is a great conversation starter at costume or Halloween parties...especially if someone is dressed up as a female serial killer, OJ Simpson, or Sarah Palin.

The Psychology of Halloween Involves These Theories About Halloween Costumes:

  • French Maid Costumes. Your "trick or treat" mask could reveal a natural comfort or inclination towards a particular persona. If you choose a sexy French maid or dominatrix costume, you could be either sexually repressed or sexually liberated. In other words, you’re a sex kitten yearning to escape or you’re already giving, good and game in the bedroom – and you probably enjoy being in the centre of attention.
  • Superman or Spiderman Costumes. If you gravitate towards superhero or heroine costumes, you could have a child-like fantasy of saving the world and a desire to fight evil. You like the feeling of being omnipotent and strong, admired and revered. Superhero Halloween costumes reveal personality traits that revolve around fantasies of good and evil.
  • Fairy Princess or Peter Pan Costumes. The innocent costumes of your childhood could indicate a wish for youthfulness, and a desire to recapture the naïve tendencies of children. Perhaps you wish for safety and simplicity. Similar to the superhero persona, you may wish for the magical ability to save the world from evil. Some Halloween costumes reveal not just personality traits, but also secret childhood wishes.
  • Rabbits, Horses, Puppies or other Animal Costumes. Animals represent instincts and the characteristics of the creature of your choice. For instance, bears represent power and strength. Giraffes are peaceful and serene; bunny rabbits furry and cuddly. Animals have mythological as well as contemporary traits, such as loyalty (dog) and royalty or self-confidence (lion). Dressing as cat, for instance, could mean you admire independence in yourself -- or you wish for it. This is what the psychology of Halloween costumes is all about.
  • Vampire Costumes. Evil, scary creatures are a huge Halloween hit every year; the scarier, the better. Choosing a macabre costume reveals personality traits that revolve around your fascination with the dark side, and perhaps a desire to get in touch with your own dark and scary self.

Though creative Halloween costumes for women and men may reveal personality traits, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. This means that sometimes a "trick or treat" mask is simply a quick and easy choice for Halloween!

Practical Matters About Halloween That Reveal Your Personality Traits

Time. Perhaps the lack of time forces you to grab a white sheet at the last minute, cut out two eye holes, and moan hauntingly. That in itself shows that either you’re extremely busy or you tend to procrastinate (you had lots of warning, as Halloween isn’t often a surprise). Some "trick or treat" masks are limited by practical matters.

Money. Your resources can limit you – or free your creativity for the best Halloween costume ever! If you went to Value Village or a second-hand store and pulled your costume together from the odds and ends, then you could be a creative and resourceful person. If you bought an elaborate Halloween costume or rented something fantastic from a store, you may be efficient and generous with your money, or too busy to make something at home.

Comfort. If you’d rather wear a hobo Halloween costume because it’s more comfortable and easy to dance in than a French Maid costume, then having a good time may be a higher priority than impressing people. Sometimes comfort wins out over strong personality traits when it comes to "trick or treat" masks!

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The copyright of the article Psychology of Halloween Costumes in Psychology is owned by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen. Permission to republish Psychology of Halloween Costumes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


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