The labubu craze on social media: Is it just a toy or a spiritual need? It triggers feelings of inadequacy...
Dr. Zuhal Doğan Bektaş, a faculty member from the Department of Psychiatry at the Faculty of Medicine, made an assessment of the interest in Labubu figures and the reasons for it.
"IT REVEALS THE SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS"Doğan Bektaş stated that today's consumption behaviors shaped by social media dynamics mirror not only the aesthetic preferences of individuals but also their psychological makeup, saying, "The intense interest in high-priced collectibles, such as Labubu figures, reveals the power of popular culture on one hand, and the spiritual needs of individuals on the other."
Dr. Bektaş, a lecturer, warned that uncontrolled acquisition of these figures can sometimes develop into a form of 'collecting' behavior on the obsessive-compulsive spectrum. He stated, "While collecting itself isn't a symptom of psychopathology, it becomes pathological when it reaches a level where it impairs functionality. Behind the desire for possession may lie feelings of inner emptiness, anxiety, unfulfilled childhood needs, or an attempt to construct self-worth through objects. Such behaviors may be a manifestation of the tendency to 'regulate self-worth with external objects,' sometimes seen in narcissistic structures. Figures, especially when displayed alongside branded products, can become tools that feed a person's desire for social approval. Here, we can speak of a fragile self that can say, 'I am here, I am valuable because I possess this object.'"
Dr. Bektaş, a lecturer, stated that adults' interest in these figures can often be based on a psychological mechanism of "re-childhood" or "self-soothing through nostalgia." He said, "The stress, loneliness, and identity confusion brought on by modern life can lead individuals to seek control over tangible, cuddly objects. From a psychoanalytic perspective, this can be a regressive defense: Feeling their own self-esteem threatened, an individual seeks temporary relief by turning to the safe, understandable, and pleasurable spaces of childhood. The resemblance of Labubu figures to children's toys can serve as a kind of 'digital pacifier.' When unable to cope with the chaos of the outside world, the individual can soothe themselves with these figures. This doesn't have to be a negative situation, but if regression is experienced long-term and disrupts functionality, it becomes a psychopathological defense mechanism."
Dr. Zuhal Doğan Bektaş, who also evaluated the sales and marketing methods of Labubu figurines and noted that some of these figurines are boxed, contain 'surprise' content, or are produced in limited quantities, said the following: “The consumer engages in a shopping behavior where they don't know exactly what they'll get each time, meaning they're subjected to variable-ratio reinforcement. According to behavioral psychology, variable-ratio reinforcement, like with slot machines, is one of the most powerful forms of learning in terms of developing addiction. Sometimes a very special figurine appears, sometimes an ordinary one… This uncertainty and the 'possibility of obtaining something rare' strongly triggers the dopamine system, motivating repeat purchases. It's not surprising that this situation paves the way for shopping addiction. Shopping addiction (oniomania) is classified as an impulse control disorder and typically begins with a search for temporary relief, excitement, or satisfaction, but later leads to consequences such as guilt, regret, debt, and loss of social function.”
"SUCH TRENDS TRIGGER SOCIAL COMPARISON MECHANISMS"Dr. Lecturer warned that these trends, which are spread through influencers, who are defined as people who have their own follower base on social media and digital platforms and who have the power to influence these followers, trigger social comparison mechanisms. Member Bektaş stated, “Influencers’ idealized lives reinforce individuals’ feelings of ‘inadequacy.’ Individuals who struggle with this feeling of inadequacy develop a psychological desire to ‘be their equal’ by striving to achieve what they possess. The notion that ‘if I look like them, I am valuable’ is common among individuals with narcissistic vulnerability. From a Lacanian perspective, individuals internally hold an ideal self-image they strive to achieve. Social media serves as a stage for projecting this ideal self-image outward and demonstrating it to others. Influencers are seen as representations of the ‘ideal self,’ and their possessions (figures, clothing, aesthetic appearance) become tools for achieving this ideal. Embracing figures like Labubu may be an attempt to move closer to identifying with that ideal. This is aimed at satisfying an individual’s narcissistic needs (approval, admiration, visibility).”
"SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT MAY INFLUENCE SOME PEOPLE MORE STRONGLY"Dr. Bektaş, a lecturer, warned that not all of these behaviors are pathological, but they can become so depending on their intensity, persistence, loss of functionality, and impact on a person's psychosocial life. He said, "Social media content can have a stronger impact on individuals with psychiatric conditions such as borderline personality structures, narcissistic defenses, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and mood disorders. For example, individuals who struggle to control their emotions, focus, or feel inadequate can be more easily influenced by social media trends, influencer posts, and popular products. Individuals who struggle to cope with the desire for external approval, impulsivity, and feelings of emptiness may be more prone to behaviors like impulsive and impulsive shopping."
Dr. Zuhal Doğan Bektaş, a faculty member, noted that characters like Labubu figures, both cute and grotesque, can be confusing for children. She warned, “It is important for children to clearly distinguish between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ images during the emotional development process. The cute yet frightening appearances of these figures can lead to anxiety, nightmares, and emotional turmoil, especially in developmentally vulnerable children. Furthermore, the widespread idealization of these figures on social media increases the pressure to possess in children and adolescents, creating the risk of them forming identities based on material values at an early age.”
"BE CAREFUL IF IT AFFECTS FUNCTIONALITY"Dr. Bektaş, a lecturer, noted that interest in and behavior toward Labubu and similar figures isn't always a sign of a psychiatric illness, saying, "However, if an individual consistently spends time, money, and mental energy on these objects or trends, and their social relationships or functionality are being compromised, professional support is essential. Especially if it's accompanied by shopping addiction, emotional eating, or social media addiction, psychiatric and psychotherapy processes can be quite effective."
Addressing precautions that can be taken to protect against the negative effects of social media, Dr. Zuhal Doğan Bektaş said, “Social media use should be limited, digital detox processes should be supported, and alternative sources of pleasure such as art, sports, nature, and social relationships should be developed.”
Assistant Professor Zuhal Doğan Bektaş concluded: “Ultimately, popular culture objects like Labubu figures are not simply a trend; they can be a reflection of much deeper psychological processes within an individual's inner world. These behaviors, beyond mere 'fashion,' are the manifestation of an individual's search for self, need for belonging, desire for validation, and sometimes even repressed emptiness.”
(DHA) This content was published by Sedef Karatay
mynet
