Alter ego

Alter ego is a term used in psychology, literature, and popular culture to refer to a secondary or alternative personality that is distinct from an individual's primary or original personality. The concept of an alter ego is often used in fiction to explore different aspects of a character's personality, or to create dramatic tension.

Origin and Usage

The term "alter ego" is derived from Latin, where "alter" means "other" and "ego" means "I". In its original usage in Roman law, an alter ego was considered a second self, which a person could rely on for legal purposes. Over time, the term has evolved to refer to a secondary personality or identity that is distinct from a person's primary personality.

In psychology, the concept of an alter ego is often associated with dissociative identity disorder (DID), a mental health condition in which a person has two or more distinct personalities. However, it's important to note that not all individuals with DID have an "alter ego" in the popular sense of the term.

In literature and popular culture, alter egos are often used as a narrative device to explore different aspects of a character's personality, or to create dramatic tension. For example, in comic books, characters like Superman and Batman have alter egos (Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne, respectively) that they use to navigate their everyday lives.

In Popular Culture

Alter egos are a common trope in comic books, film, television, and music. In these mediums, an alter ego can serve a variety of purposes, from providing a character with a secret identity, to allowing an artist to explore different genres or styles.

In music, many artists have adopted alter egos as a way to experiment with different musical styles or personas. For example, David Bowie famously adopted the alter ego Ziggy Stardust in the 1970s, which allowed him to explore themes of fame and identity in his music.

See Also

• Dissociative identity disorder
• Persona
• Avatar (computing)

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