<p>This is true. <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092656684710208" rel="noreferrer">Mot <em>et al</em>. (1994)</a> published scientific research about it. Also there are a lot of actors that claim they feel that their personality has changed since they played a role.</p>

<p>Also a similair practice can be used for insecure people. If they act confident it has been proven that after some time, they feel more confident as well.</p>

<hr>

<p><strong>Edit:</strong></p>

<p>Since I'm new to stackexchange I did not know how much detail is desired. Therefore, let me expand upon my original comment.</p>

<p>The article states the following hypotheses:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>(1) the actor chosen to play a given character would have personality characteristics similar to that of his or her corresponding character</p>
</blockquote>

<hr>

<blockquote>
  <p>(2) the actor′s self-perceived personality profile would become more similar to the character′s during the rehearsal and production period.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Later on the article states that:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Support emerged for the second hypothesis, but not for the first. Observations regarding these findings and suggestions for future explorations are given.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The article expands upon this, but I can't access the paper, because it's pay-walled.</p>

<p><strong>Reference:</strong>  </p>

<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092656684710208" rel="noreferrer">Hannah M. T., Domino G., Hanson R. Hannah R. (September 1994) Acting and Personality Change: The Measurement of Change in Self-Perceived Personality Characteristics during the Actors Character Development Process, <em>Journal of Research in Personality</em>, 28(3):277-286</a></li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-30T03:49:50.563Z
I wonder if this study can also scientifically back the claim "fake it til you make it"
ESR
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-30T07:40:20.177Z
@EdmundReed To break your question down further, the only difference between 'fake it till you make it' and this article is that in the article people act like a fictional character while with 'fake it till you make it' it applies to  a non-fictional character. If I were to research it, my hypothesis would be that the effects would be more apparent by 'faking' since I think that people draw the line more between themselves and a fictional character than themselves and a 'fake' version of themselves.
Starcaz
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-30T07:45:38.710Z
really interesting reply, I agree completely - thanks.
ESR
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-29T08:30:11.490Z
2017-08-29T09:07:10.360Z
2017-08-29T09:07:10.360Z
Starcaz
<p>Is it true that acting can affect one's behaviour?</p>

<p>For example, if someone plays a protagonist, can this affect them to be a good person? Is there any solid evidence for this?</p>

<social-psychology>
Is it true that acting can affect one's behavior?
Jamal Senjaya
# Is it true that acting can affect one's behavior?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-08-29)

Is it true that acting can affect one's behaviour?

For example, if someone plays a protagonist, can this affect them to be a good person? Is there any solid evidence for this?

**Tags:** social-psychology


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-08-29. Score: 23 | Accepted answer

This is true. [Mot *et al*. (1994)](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092656684710208) published scientific research about it. Also there are a lot of actors that claim they feel that their personality has changed since they played a role.

Also a similair practice can be used for insecure people. If they act confident it has been proven that after some time, they feel more confident as well.

---

**Edit:**

Since I'm new to stackexchange I did not know how much detail is desired. Therefore, let me expand upon my original comment.

The article states the following hypotheses:

> (1) the actor chosen to play a given character would have personality characteristics similar to that of his or her corresponding character

---

> (2) the actor′s self-perceived personality profile would become more similar to the character′s during the rehearsal and production period.

Later on the article states that:

> Support emerged for the second hypothesis, but not for the first. Observations regarding these findings and suggestions for future explorations are given.

The article expands upon this, but I can't access the paper, because it's pay-walled.

**Reference:**

* [Hannah M. T., Domino G., Hanson R. Hannah R. (September 1994) Acting and Personality Change: The Measurement of Change in Self-Perceived Personality Characteristics during the Actors Character Development Process, *Journal of Research in Personality*, 28(3):277-286](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092656684710208)

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: I wonder if this study can also scientifically back the claim "fake it til you make it"  
> **username_1**: @EdmundReed To break your question down further, the only difference between 'fake it till you make it' and this article is that in the article people act like a fictional character while with 'fake it till you make it' it applies to  a non-fictional character. If I were to research it, my hypothesis would be that the effects would be more apparent by 'faking' since I think that people draw the line more between themselves and a fictional character than themselves and a 'fake' version of themselves.  
> **username_2**: really interesting reply, I agree completely - thanks.  

---

