Hoarding/Collecting

http://knowledgenuts.com/2014/09/26/the-difference-between-hoarding-and-collecting/

Kelly, D. (2014) The difference between hoarding and collecting. Available at: http://knowledgenuts.com/2014/09/26/the-difference-between-hoarding-and-collecting/ (Accessed: 31 October 2015).

If I were a hoarder

http://ifiwereahoarder.com/post/437336077/from-thematic-to-temporal-organization

Domotor, Z. (2010) From thematic to temporal organization. Available at: http://ifiwereahoarder.com/post/437336077/from-thematic-to-temporal-organization (Accessed: 31 October 2015)

"An example of this phenomenon can be seen in the arrangement of a hoarder’s books. The hoarder begins to read a book but must stop to do something else. The book cannot be returned to the shelf because it is now in a different category–books being actively read. It is placed on the coffee table. Next, a cookbook is consulted for dinner and it too cannot be returned to the shelf because it is being used. It is deposited on the back of the couch. The dictionary used next cannot be reshelved, lest the person forget the word he looked up. This process is repeated until there are books everywhere, none of which can be returned to its shelf because they are all different in their own category. Their new position in the room has meaning because each position represents a different category, and an idiosyncratic sort of organization exists, but the ultimate result is clutter and chaos."

Definition of Compulsive Hoarding

"(1) the acquisition of, and failure to discard a large number of possessions that appear to be useless or of limited value; (2) living spaces sufficiently cluttered so as to preclude activities for which those spaces were designed; and (3) significant distress or impairment in functioning caused by the hoarding."

"While a collector finds beauty and value in one type of thing -- porcelain statues of Chihuahuas, vintage Star Wars figures, flags from every country -- the hoarder finds beauty, and thus a reason for keeping, almost everything."

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/dirty-secret/201012/what-is-the-difference-between-compulsive-hoarding-and-collecting

Sholl, J. (2010) What is the difference between compulsive hoarding and collecting? Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/dirty-secret/201012/what-is-the-difference-between-compulsive-hoarding-and-collecting (Accessed: 31 October 2015).

Progress Tutorial

Really helpful to be able to talk about my research that I've gathered so far and to get some more ideas. I need to have more Chapters so far I only had three but Pete said to probably double that. This actually makes me feel better so that I can break down the topics further. 

Issues discussed at the tutorial: 

- Difference between collecting and hoarding. 

- Collecting psychology - Where does the need come from? Survival - Useful materials and resources - Make do and mend. 

- History - cave men collecting berries - elite 

- Collector of culture - Status - Wealth and intellect

- Museums - Repontary 

- Today (contemporary) 

- Attachment to objects (emotional) 

- Value of objects - Hoarding

- Abundance - Cheap - Mass production - Things produced to collect - McDonalds - Technology that allows us to do this mass production. 

- Psychology - Obtectum sexuaium/ commercial - Fetishism - Serial Killers

- Toys - Childhood - Recapturing

- Novelty 

Student Actions: 

- Extend Chapters 

- Start writing. 

The Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/nov/09/why-do-we-collect-things-love-anxiety-or-desire

Jarrett, C. (2014) Why do we collect things? Love, anxiety or desire. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/nov/09/why-do-we-collect-things-love-anxiety-or-desire (Accessed: 27 October 2015).

 - "About a third of people in the UK collect something. Their reasons and manner vary hugely."

- "football fan who collects club memorabilia, it is a way to express loyalty"

- "proud of rare finds, there can be an obsessive streak."

- "One psychoanalytical explanation for collecting is that unloved children learn to seek comfort in accumulating belongings"

- "the collection, an extension of our identity, lives on, even though we do not."

- "evolutionary theorists suggested that a collection was a way for a man to attract potential mates by signalling his ability to accumulate resources."

- "endowment effect, which describes our tendency to value things more once we own them."

- "concept of contagion – some collectors are attracted to celebrity belongings because these objects are seen as being infused with the essence of the person who owned them."

- "satisfaction of seeking and owning them."

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/nov/07/why-collect-dolls-grew-out-stamps-sophie-ellis-bextor

Ellis-Bextor, S. (2014) Why collect dolls? I grew out of stamps, says Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/nov/07/why-collect-dolls-grew-out-stamps-sophie-ellis-bextor (Accessed: 27 October 2015).

When I find a new doll to hunt for, it raises my endorphins, I get excited. I’ll eventually find it and think: “That’s too expensive, I know I can find it elsewhere” – that’s the challenge and the joy.

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/nov/07/hunter-davies-guide-becoming-collector

Davies, H. (2014) Hunter Davies’ guide to becoming a collector. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/nov/07/hunter-davies-guide-becoming-collector (Accessed: 27 October 2015).

Juliana Heng Blog

http://www.julianaheng.com/


Introduction into toys 
http://www.julianaheng.com/introduction-to-collecting-toys-2/#more-10

Heng, J. (2007) Introduction to collecting toys | overview of collecting toys. Available at: http://www.julianaheng.com/introduction-to-collecting-toys-2/#more-10 (Accessed: 27 October 2015).

"I know of some collectors who turned their toy hobbies into a business and eventually into their career.  It is the dream of everyone to integrate their jobs with their hobbies.  When you love your work, you no longer see it as a job anymore, and you will enjoy doing it everyday instead."

Reasons for collecting
http://www.julianaheng.com/reasons-for-collecting-toys/#more-11

Heng, J. (2007) Reasons for collecting toys | why collect toys. Available at: http://www.julianaheng.com/reasons-for-collecting-toys/#more-11 (Accessed: 27 October 2015).

"Your decision to collect toys could also be influenced by others.  Remember: who you have become today and how you behave is largely influenced by the people you hang out with almost everyday.  Some collectors end up collecting toys because their friends are collectors, or they visited someone’s home one day and got inspired by that person’s impressive Lego castle and knights collection"

I can relate with that. I do think the people I have met in the last year have made an influence. I have always had an interest with toys and appreciate the character design and the way they have been made. I don't personally just like the character because it's in a film. If anything I prefer characters that have been made up by the artist. Before I met this group of people I never particularly bought any toys but when I went over the house it inspired me. Not only to start buying toys again but recently been making my own too. 

"Since kids have no or little money to purchase them, the toys have to be appealing to the accompanying parents too. Then later some smart toy makers realized that there is a niche market for adult consumers too.  Adults can become toy collectors too.  They tend to focus more on sculpting details, material quality, articulation level, coloring standards and even repainted variants of the same toy or character to complete their sets.  Adult collectors  usually have steady paychecks to sponsor their hobbies.  Hence new lines of toys were formed to target these adults. "

"Some people see collectible toys as business and ‘speculative’ opportunities.  They buy up the rare toys especially and sell them for profits or extra income." 

"By and large, most collectors buy toys because they simply love the characters the toys represent or the physical appearance of those toys."

Why is there a need to collect toys?

http://www.julianaheng.com/why-is-there-a-need-to-collect-toys/

Heng, J. (2010) Why is there a need to collect toys? | overview of collecting toys. Available at: http://www.julianaheng.com/why-is-there-a-need-to-collect-toys/ (Accessed: 27 October 2015).

http://www.julianaheng.com/articles/
Heng, J. (2011) Articles | Juliana’s toy collecting tips. Available at: http://www.julianaheng.com/articles/ (Accessed: 27 October 2015).

              

Summary. 

1 = Curious. No guidance. Could get over charged. 

2 = Uncontrolled. Getting all the toys they want. 

3 = Collecting rare toys. "Kings and queens of toys". 

4 = Taking it a step further and publish books and make websites. 

5 = Gone through all the stages. Collecting slows down. Might focus into customising their toys. 

                         

Heng's written 5 separate articles on what she thinks the 5 different stages of collecting. I find this really interesting and has triggered some thoughts on the practical element of the dissertation. To potentially make like a manual/guide book on what the stages are. 

Hello Kitty Collection

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/woman-29-repels-men-massive-kitty-collection-article-1.1826794

Greenwood, M. (2014) Woman, 29, repels men with massive hello kitty collection. Available at: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/woman-29-repels-men-massive-kitty-collection-article-1.1826794 (Accessed: 26 October 2015).

I decided to do a drawing below to kind of show to the difference between a collector and a hoarder. On the right is the hoarder with the house in a mess. The drawing is off a woman from the show The Hoarder Next Door on channel 4. Then on the right is the girl from the hello kitty article. Hers may look like a mess but actually its a lot more organised plus, she just has one main focus whereas the hoarder has a vast range of possessions.  

The difference between hoarding and collecting

With the research I have gathered so far I have noticed that there is quite a difference between people that hoard and people that collect. People that collect seem to want to look after their things and keep them pristine on their shelves or boxes whereas hoarders seem to live in clutter and rubbish. From watching a lot of these programmes about hoarders I've noticed that they tend to not want to invite people round to their houses and are ashamed or their mess. Which leads to them feeling very isolated but are extremely distressed when they are confronted with the prospect of having to part and discard the objects. Very obsessive and special condition. However people that collect are proud of their collections; some have made communities of friends who also have the same interests and hobby. Though collecting can work out a lot more expensive than hoarder spending money on trying to get the rarer items. Hoarders I have found to get attached to items and objects that can have very little or no value at all but find it harder to let go of in fear of the possibility that they might need it one day.

Dopamine

In the last video that I watched the woman talked a lot about 'Dopamines' so I thought that I should research a little bit more into what that is. 

"Dopamine in pleasure reward seeking behavior

Dopamine is the chemical that mediates pleasure in the brain. It is released during pleasurable situations and stimulates one to seek out the pleasurable activity or occupation. This means food, sex, and several drugs of abuse are also stimulants of dopamine release in the brain, particularly in areas such as the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex."

http://www.news-medical.net/health/Dopamine-Functions.aspx




So in relation to toy collecting. Dopamine is realsed in the brain when finding the next part to the collection. Making the person feel happy and good. After a while the brain gets used to it so the person then keeps seeking for the next toy/part trying to get that thrill and buzz again. 

Cashin-Garbutt (2014) Dopamine functions. Available at: http://www.news-medical.net/health/Dopamine-Functions.aspx (Accessed: 26 October 2015).

What drives people to become collectors?

- Way to bond with people. 
- Curiousity 
- Thrill of the hunt 
- "Natural Urge" 
- "The urge to collect is very primitive and is found throughout the animal kingdom"
- Some people think that collecting goes back to our early days as humans. 
- Dopamine
- Certain things are associated with certain memories. 

DNews (2015) What drives people to become collectors? Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPqhiZpp1Sw (Accessed: 26 October 2015). 

Obsessive Collecting

- Impulse Issues 

A few peoples comments:

 He has made a large comment in response to some of the questions that he was getting. I found this quite useful, he talks about how he got into collecting and why. And the difference between being addicted to collecting and just collecting. 

"i think you were confusing passion with priory. not saying your message is wrong. im saying an addict cant be defined by how much he spends on knives. thing like money time or how much knives you have is a personal preference. some people are looking to milk his collection for investment of money, other love how the knives look and only want a handful of good ones. what makes an addict is say a person spend 500 dollars on a knife in place of a mortgage payment and during that time waiting for the knife to show up , is already browsing for next purchase."

Jim Skelton (2013) Obsessive collecting: When is it too much? Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mASQmEQBd_Y (Accessed: 26 October 2015).

Why do people hoard?

http://www.ocdtypes.com/hoarding-ocd.php

"Emotional attachment to an object associated with a significant person, place, event or time.

• Items are seen as a part of themselves, so losing an item would be the same as losing a piece of ones self or ones history; items are part of person identity. Feelings of grief and loss can accompany, similar to losing a person.
• There is also a tendency to assign human like qualities to possessions. For example, one study reported a case where a woman bought a dozen puppets from a TV shopping station because no one bid on them and she felt afraid the puppets feelings were being hurt.
• Comfort and security provided by items
• Hoarders are in a state of perpetual "just in case I need this," so they may carry lots of items with them.

Hoarders may feel a sense of security and comfort when surrounded by their possessions. For example, researchers reported a case where a woman who had had a very stressful day remarked that she wanted to go home and gather her treasures around her.

Items are saved for their usefulness. 

• Hoarders feel guilt for not using up or wasting an item when it could be used later. This is the strongest predictor of hoarding severity. Hoarding sometimes insist they can get rid of items if they want but progress in getting rid of items is slow and usually new items are still being acquired.
• Fear of losing important information: this is closely associated with lack or memory, which can really be a lack of confidence in memory. Hoarders will say that items help them remember things, i.e. "saving items means I do not need a good memory"
• People hoard because of the exaggerated desire to have control over their possessions. Very resistant to having people touch or share their items. Unauthorized touches can result in strong reactions (because items are seen as an extension of self, unauthorized touching may be seen as a violation)"

Compulsive Hoarding & Collecting (2011) Available at: http://www.ocdtypes.com/hoarding-ocd.php (Accessed: 26 October 2015).

4 Signs that you're an extreme collector

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201207/4-signs-youre-extreme-collector

Krauss Whitbourne, S. (2012) 4 Signs that You’re an Extreme Collector. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201207/4-signs-youre-extreme-collector (Accessed: 26 October 2015).

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Toy Collection

- "Each one has a special meaning to me, I don't just collect to have it". 
- First toy, party favours, collected in Japan, given as a gift, winning them. 
- Used to just destroy toys as a kid. 
- Love the packaging. "Beautiful Boxes". 
- Hand painted toys. 
- Detail 
- All the dolls have names. 
- Completing a collection. 
- What got her into collecting was the influence of her husband. 
- The monster high collection she bought her first doll then bought a new one every day that week. 
- Some toys she only bought cause they were on clearance. "must own" "Practically giving them to you". 
- "Collecting is fun doesn't matter what age you are".  
- "Toys are ageless".

The Doll Circle (2014) Showcase Doll Tour of Robin - Monster High | My Little Pony | Sailor Moon | DC Comics. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-C6TuRrj0w (Accessed: 26 October 2015).

Is it ok for adults to collect toys?

- His mum got rid of all his Ninja Turtle toys. 

- 'Makes me happy' 

- Grabbing a part of your childhood and keeping it with you. 

- Toys remind you of your childhood. 

- In Japan they tell you to be more childlike. 

- Manga's really popular in Japan. Advertisements are in cartoon. 

- In Western culture you're told to grow up 

- Adults go to see animation movies. "Socially normal at any age". "So it's not normal to collect things to remind you of it?". 

- Connect with the people/characters in the movies. 

- Harry Potter/Star Wars you grow up with them. 

- Memorialise connection 

- Funko Toys aged as 17 and above. Some say 14

- As an adult you want something more creative and different. As a child they don't particularly care about the art gone into a toy. 

- "Im' happier because I have toys". "If you're happier you're going to be a better person." 

- "Funko have so many genres that you can collect. It's just like a big family". 

- 'Being open to things makes you a smarter person. And a better person" 

Nerd Therapy (2013) Is it ok for adults to collect toys? Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKjuUATGEFs (Accessed: 26 October 2015).

Gnome Collector

http://www.ocdtypes.com/hoarding-ocd.php

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201207/4-signs-youre-extreme-collector

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mASQmEQBd_Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD5J0Q-LpCg

Toy Haven - Interview

http://toyhaven.blogspot.co.uk/2009/10/hot-off-press-ms-feature-on-moi.html

toyhaven (2007) Hot off the Press - MS feature on moi. Available at: http://toyhaven.blogspot.co.uk/2009/10/hot-off-press-ms-feature-on-moi.html (Accessed: 24 October 2015).

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Ode To Collectors

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlG4-5tS2LMeiGGuiijfan87faACezWdA_yF0G1exUNh0c-VtCNhpxK_7vy1S3CjjbgcsR4eMcc3ncdYHE_DDA6Pida-53jrgWyjqrGlRhIwrghLIgstQ4EKT9auqVBpnbFhOQIQ2vTc/s1600/ode2collectors.jpg

Chia, A. (no date) Ode to collectors. Available at: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlG4-5tS2LMeiGGuiijfan87faACezWdA_yF0G1exUNh0c-VtCNhpxK_7vy1S3CjjbgcsR4eMcc3ncdYHE_DDA6Pida-53jrgWyjqrGlRhIwrghLIgstQ4EKT9auqVBpnbFhOQIQ2vTc/s1600/ode2collectors.jpg (Accessed: 24 October 2015).

Steve's Toy Room

http://stevestoyroom.blogspot.sg/2014/06/why-adults-are-into-toy-collecting.html

"Now why do people collect? It’s a sense of accomplishment, the beauty of completing things from different sources and the manner it was acquired. It also gives someone a feeling of luckiness when they bought something rare and cheap." 

"The same goes with toy collecting. The thrill and excitement of adding new items in your collection is the by-product of your toy hunting. Probably some of you have gone to toy garage sales or even in the bigger toy conventions. There you’ll find many toys you haven’t seen before or toys being sold in bargain prices. When you’re lucky enough to take them home, what do you feel? You feel great!" 

"Here is a list of the possible reasons why adults collect toys based on people I talked to. 

1. They did not have too much toys when they were little boys. 
2. They miss their childhood. 
3. They are huge fans of a movie, comics, cartoon or video game. 
4. A way to avoid bad habits or spending money on useless things. 
5. They feel younger. 
6. They admire arts particularly sculptures. 
7. They enjoy articulation. 
8. They enjoy taking pictures of toys.
9. For fun."

"Now let’s proceed to the benefits of toy collecting. 

1. It develops your resourcefulness. 
2. You learn to be patient when it comes to budgeting. 
3. An easier way to reward yourself. 
4. It brings life to your movie or game imaginations. 
5. It develops your judgment when it comes to sculpting and articulations. 
6. You meet new friends of the same passion. 
7. You can relate well with younger people like your children. 
8. Not bad for your health unless you chew them. 
9. It can boost your mood level when you look at your toy shelves. 
10. You develop your sense of organizing and how to utilize small room spaces. 
11. You can teach your children to cherish their toys at early age". 

Grayson, S. (2014) Why Adults Are Into Toy Collecting? Available at: http://stevestoyroom.blogspot.sg/2014/06/why-adults-are-into-toy-collecting.html (Accessed: 24 October 2015).

Toy Haven Blog

I came across this really useful and interesting blog called Toy Haven. They seem really passionate and knowledgeable on toys. I read the post about 'Why do adults collect toys' which is pretty much what I want my dissertation to be about so it's good to get peoples thoughts and opinions.  


http://toyhaven.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/why-do-adults-collect-toys-also-big.html

"Well, according to wiki: It has been speculated that the widespread appeal of collecting (in general) is connected to the hunting and gathering that was once necessary for human survival. For some people, collecting things may be a symbolic way of asserting power over them."

"The hobby of collecting includes seeking, locating, acquiring, organizing, cataloging, displaying, storing, and maintaining whatever items are of interest to the individual collector. The scope of collecting is unlimited: "If something exists, somebody somewhere collects them." That is true even for toys as they come in all forms, shapes and sizes."

"Some collectors accumulate arbitrarily many objects that meet the thematic and quality requirements of their collection, others — called completists — aim to acquire all items in a well-defined set that can in principle be completed, and others seek a limited number of items per category (e.g. one representative item per year of manufacture or place of purchase). The monetary value of objects is important to some collectors but irrelevant to others. Some collectors maintain objects in pristine condition, while others use the items they collect, and still others collect items that once belonged to famous people."

"Collecting is for some people a childhood hobby, but for others a lifelong pursuit or one that begins in adulthood. Collectors who begin early in life often modify their aims when they get older. Some novice collectors start purchasing items that appeal to them then slowly work at learning how to build a collection, while others prefer to develop some background in the field before starting to buy items."

I've found that they've done another blog post about why they personally collect toys! I think after reading this I want to make a survey to people and find out if they collect anything and why to get a range of views. 

http://toyhaven.blogspot.sg/2011/02/why-i-collect-toys.html

"Every collector probably has his or her own reasons for collecting toys and I realized that mine is simply because toys are 3-D forms of art to me. I always enjoyed the visual arts and grew up reading comics rather than books or novels because comics were visually appealing to me and I was drawn to them. "

http://toyhaven.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/ode-to-collectors.html

"I believe most collectors are very visual people and we really appreciate the visual arts in all its forms. Most collectors I know are designers - graphic designers, interior designers, product designers, all types of designers with one common link: it's all very visual. We collect because we appreciate all the work that went into making the toy or collectible - it is a piece of ART! Note: I said "collectors" and NOT "investors". "Investors" are people who buy toys to invest, hoping to make a quick buck out of the entire exchange with no love for the toy itself."

"I also find that collectors are people who have reached a certain stage in their lives where their basic needs have been met and they are able to look at a higher level of need or want. You won't find any serious collector in a third world country where their basic need have not been met, they are just looking to survive, not to LIVE"

1. 

toyhaven (2007) Why do adults collect toys? Also a BIG thank you for the 15,000,000 (15 million) page views so far. Available at: http://toyhaven.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/why-do-adults-collect-toys-also-big.html (Accessed: 24 October 2015).

2. 

toyhaven (2007) Why I collect toys. Available at: http://toyhaven.blogspot.sg/2011/02/why-i-collect-toys.html (Accessed: 24 October 2015).

3. 

toyhaven (2007) An Ode to Collectors. Available at: http://toyhaven.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/ode-to-collectors.html (Accessed: 24 October 2015).

Methodologies and critical analysis

 Methodology: 

- plan of attack 

- a logical, systematic and structured way of organising a reseach project and gathering necessary information 

- evidence that you have reflected critically on various reseach methods and chosen the ones that are most appropriate for your particular research project. 

- therefore a methodology is unique to each project

Palgrave - look on website for help 

Quantitive or qualitive? 

What are the most appropriate methods for my research

Achnologage limitations 

What are their benefits? 

Your metholodgy may include: 

- literature review: libraries/journals/internet 

- a particular theoretical approach

- questionaires: sample size, reliability and validity - ensuring your getting the best results

- interviews: structured or unstructured? Bias? How will i interview and where?  

- sketchbooks/ critical diaries/ reflective logs 

Evidence your methodology at the start of the dissertation 

Introduction: can talk about what each chapeter will be a out. You can talk about things that you will not be talking about aswell. 

Critical Analysis 

'Critical' means to separate or to choose 

- skepticism 

- reasoned thinking  

What do i want to say? 

Have i got the evidence to back it up? 

Could you find more evidence to support your conclusions? 

Where else do i need to look in order to find more evidence? 

Am i expressing myself clearly and logically? 

Triangulation

Pitting alternative theories against the same body of data

3 or more sources to conclude anargumemt 

Bad argument: things you should avoid... 

-contradicting themselves 

- have no relationship with previous statements 

- no logical sequence 

- based on assumptions that were never questioned 

- trying to claim absolute instead of qualified truths. 

Evaluation = looking at and coming to conclusions about the value of your evidence