Lego figures are getting angrier, according to science

[cupper]

Lego figures are getting angrier, according to science

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2013/06/12/lego-figures-are-getting-angrier-according-to-science/?hpid=z3

Legos haven’t just become astronomically expensive in the past 35 years. According to a new study from researchers in New Zealand, the popular kids’ toys have also developed a bit of an attitude problem.

Lego characters released since the early ‘90s are proportionately more angry, the study found. Authors of the study hypothesized the spike in negativity could be related to the release of more thematic Lego sets, such as pirates or “Harry Potter,” which include weapons and minifigures representing “good guys” and “bad guys.”

“It is our impression that the themes have been increasingly based on conflicts,” wrote the three researchers Christoph Bartneck, Mohammad Obaid and Karolina Zawieska. Two of the authors work for the University of Canterbury; the third is from the Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements.

Researchers arrived at this conclusion through a meticulous scientific process, which reads as almost comical given their subject matter. After cataloging and photographing the 3,655 Lego characters released between 1975 and 2010, they asked 264 American adults to characterize the figures’ expressions as angry, happy, sad, disgusted, surprised or fearful.

Researchers then processed those numbers and plotted them on graphs like the one below, which illustrates the proportional growth of angry faces since the early ‘90s. Variables (like skin color and whether the figure’s head is attached to a body) don’t substantially throw off their conclusions.

That’s pretty alarming in a world where chewing a Pop-Tart into a gun shape is grounds for school suspension, and the psychological impact of violent video games remains a hot debate. One would predict that conflict-oriented figurines are the last thing parents want in their kids’ toy chests. In fact, the researchers themselves sound concerned about the implications for child psychology:

“We cannot help but wonder how the move from only positive faces to an increasing number of negative faces impacts how children play … The children that grow up with LEGO today will remember not only smileys, but also anger and fear in the Minifigures’ faces.”

But before you confiscate your kids’ Legos, consider the good that even angry Legos can do. The study’s authors acknowledge that a range of emotional expressions “connect to the complex interaction scenarios of today’s users” — in other words, the variation mirrors real life, where anger, fear and “smileys” all magically coexist. And some child psychologists have suggested that conflict-driven games, even those with toy weapons, help kids grapple with issues like “the struggle between good and evil,” a point made by George Washington University’s Jonathan Turley in a controversial 2011 op-ed.

In either case, Lego does still sell boring old building blocks. They may lack flashy movie tie-ins — Hobbit Legos, anyone? — but experts agree they’re still great for kids.

 

[Michael OLeary]

themes have been increasingly based on conflicts

Conflict based toys, well, that's never happened before. Just when we've got guns off the shelves of toys-r-us, except for those peaceful water pistols/rifles/cannons/catapults/ICM launchers, or whatever else they're cooking up these days, someone had to decide that Lego is marketing undertones of violence. Better have a telethon and put a stop to this.

 

[cupper]

Conflict based toys, well, that's never happened before. Just when we've got guns off the shelves of toys-r-us, except for those peaceful water pistols/rifles/cannons/catapults/ICM launchers, or whatever else they're cooking up these days, someone had to decide that Lego is marketing undertones of violence. Better have a telethon and put a stop to this.

Good thing they never found out about these then:

http://www.brickarms.com

 

[PMedMoe]

Good thing they never found out about these then:

http://www.brickarms.com

WWII Legos!!!  :nod:  http://www.king5.com/on-tv/evening-magazine/History-through-legos-187181811.html

 

[BeyondTheNow]

WWII Legos!!!  :nod:  http://www.king5.com/on-tv/evening-magazine/History-through-legos-187181811.html

That's awesome! 'Know what I'm getting at some point for my lil guy... :nod:

 

[Michael OLeary]

BrickArms on ebay (check those shipping charges closely)

 

[BeyondTheNow]

BrickArms on ebay (check those shipping charges closely)

Yikes. That's definitely hefty...will definitely keep an eye out for other methods of purchase when the time comes. OR start saving. He's only 3.5 so I have some time yet 

 

[Journeyman]

......they asked 264 American adults to characterize the figures’ expressions as angry, happy, sad, disgusted, surprised or fearful.

Perhaps the methodological flaw is having chosen Americans for the study.  After all, the researchers are Kiwis; was there a need to leave their hemisphere to query people potentially pre-disposed towards anger and violence? (it's true; it was on Oprah!)



Hopefully, Sheldon can tear himself away from CFATs long enough to weigh in on this equally critical issue.   :-\

 

[The Bread Guy]

Yikes. That's definitely hefty...will definitely keep an eye out for other methods of purchase when the time comes. OR start saving. He's only 3.5 so I have some time yet 

Might be a bit cheaper via Amazon.com, especially if you can have them mailed to a nearby U.S. address.

 

[BeyondTheNow]

Might be a bit cheaper via Amazon.com, especially if you can have them mailed to a nearby U.S. address.

Great, thank you!

 

[MeanJean]

The Brick Arms website is awesome.  I wish I had some of those weapon packs!  I am glad to see a change in the Lego face line up.  I got tired of all the smiles and used to turn their Lego faces around in their helmets so they all wouldn't be happy and all smiles when I conducted my lego ops when I was a youngster.  25 years ago there wasn't a lot of conflict based Lego sets but I still had battles for them and using creative forms of lego weaponry.

Conflict is deeply engrained into humanity, I don't think that it could ever be removed.

 

[Journeyman]

The most harsh thing about Lego.......is stepping on one in your bare feet.  :crybaby:

 

[PMedMoe]

The most harsh thing about Lego.......is stepping on one in your bare feet.  :crybaby:

Be thankful you never had a daughter.  Barbie accessories are pretty painful too....  :'(