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Does Appearance Matter More Than We Think?

— The Psychology Behind Costumes in Immersive Training

One of the most distinctive features of Immersive Reality Training is the sense of deep immersion it creates. And a key factor behind that immersion is the use of costumes, props, sound, and other environmental effects. These elements aren't just for fun—they’re grounded in human psychology and help participants truly step into the role of “someone else.”

In this article, we’ll focus on the psychological impact of costumes.

Dressing the Part, Feeling the Part

Imagine a character in the training is a doctor. What image comes to mind?
Most likely, you envision someone wearing a long white coat.

That white coat conveys professionalism, cleanliness, and trust. When you hear advice or an explanation from someone dressed this way, you're more likely to listen and take their words seriously.

But the psychological effect isn’t limited to the observer. For the person wearing the white coat, the clothing can shape behavior and mindset.
Putting on a doctor’s coat can trigger a shift in awareness: “I’m in a role where people’s well-being depends on me.” This leads to more responsible and conscientious behavior—just from a change in attire.

The Science: Enclothed Cognition

This psychological phenomenon is known as enclothed cognition.
A widely cited study by Adam & Galinsky (2012) demonstrated this effect through an experiment where participants wore lab coats.

One group was told, “This is a doctor’s coat.” Another group wore the same coat, but were told it was a painter’s smock. The result?
The “doctor’s coat” group showed significantly higher attention and focus during cognitive tasks.
This suggests that the symbolic meaning associated with certain clothes can influence the wearer’s behavior and performance.

Reference: Adam, H., & Galinsky, A. D. (2012). Enclothed Cognition. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

Uniforms and professional attire can encourage creative thinking, boldness, or motivation—precisely because the symbolic identity associated with the clothing activates new patterns of thought and behavior.

Triggering Immersion from the Outside In

In Immersive Reality Training, we intentionally leverage this principle.
By introducing external cues like costumes and setting, we help participants enter their roles more smoothly. It's a technique that activates internal transformation through external expression.

By changing how we look, we can change how we think, act, and interact.

Did this perspective resonate with you?
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