Personality Characteristics of Tulpamancers and Their Tulpas
Anna Martín, Bailey Thompson, Steven L. Lancaster
May 11, 2020 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/5t3xk via OpenAlex
Summary
People who create imagined sentient companions called tulpas report positive experiences with them. Contrary to the prediction that host and tulpa personalities would complement each other, they were more similar. Certain personality traits of both host and tulpa were linked to how satisfied the host felt in the relationship. The tulpa-host relationship may serve as a beneficial mechanism in the host's life.
Study at a glance
| Design | cross-sectional survey |
|---|---|
| Population | individuals with tulpas |
| Key finding | Host and tulpa personalities were more similar than complementary, and certain personality traits predicted relationship satisfaction. |
Abstract
Tulpamancy is a practice that involves the creation of imagined sentient companions, tulpas, who abide within their human host's mind. The primary aim of our study was to examine the personality characteristics of tulpas and their hosts. Further, we examined the role of personality similarity in predicting relationship satisfaction. Individuals with tulpas completed an online questionnaire of host and tulpa personality and scales of host’s relationship satisfaction. Our pre-registered analyses (https://aspredicted.org/blind.php?x= bi484h) found that hosts reported positive experiences with their tulpas. While we predicted that the personalities of the host and tulpa would be complementary, our results indicated they were more consistent with a similarity perspective. Finally, our hypothesis that the personalities of hosts and tulpas would be related to perceived relationship satisfaction was supported for certain personality characteristics. Our results provide evidence that the tulpa-host relationship may function as a beneficial mechanism in the lives of the host.