Thread:Vimitsu/@comment-25308539-20140922155639

Hey Vimitsu, a new user has swapped out some of the profile images for characters. For the most part, I actually really like the ones for the minor characters, who didn't have much to start with. But Kiyuhito noticed that these are probably fan art. Since I don't know the formal fan-art policy, I've just asked the guy on his own message wall to reference the images properly, but I figured it's best to leave a message on your wall to get your opinion on this.

While I'm here, I have to say I really liked your latest blog post. I haven't been fully enveloped into otaku culture and whatnot just yet, so I only had a rough understanding of tsundere. But golly gee was that post thorough. I especially appreciate the psych elements and the references, since I'm currently doing psych myself (with my favourite fields being social/relationships/emotions and stuff like that), and I'm really absorbed in the whole academia and scholarly tradition sort of thing. I'll definitely go and leave a glowing comment on the blog itself to help drum up support :)

Just one thing from the blog: "most people have a natural tendency to feel pity for those who are insecure". Ridiculously powerful line. This would have made the entire article for me if it had a reference to back it up, like you did with a lot of your other material and theory. My first thoughts went to attachment theory and the attractive qualities of an insecure partner (as you safely assume a tsundere would be), though this only applies to people with rocky attachment styles, not to the enitre bag of emotional insecurity. This isn't the field I've done research on, and I'm not exactly sure what search terms to use. But still, I found one article (Brumbaugh, Baren, & Agishtein, 2014) which says that for men, physical attractiveness and 'flattery' (which the authors state to be an extension of positive feedback, which is a fluffy term in itself) are strong determinants for how otherwise secure men would form relationships with insecurely attached women. The second point is especially relevant if we take flattery to be a synonym for positive affect or something like that - perhaps what we love about the tsundere is the small hint of, or the promise of warmth and affection against a backdrop of coldness? I surely don't know how far you're willing to attack this topic, but that might warrant investigation.

Honestly I think your post inspired me to have a go at blogging. A blog seems like the perfect place to keep track of my own research, in a casual tone and setting, and would let me make all the references to anime and stuff I like that wouldn't be allowed in my assignments XD

Top stuff mate. The next time you pick a topic, I'd love to hear about it, and we could bounce ideas off of each other! 