62nd Annual Meeting

October 26 - 31, 2015

Media Theatre 2 (open)

Building a Cultural Competency of "Geek Culture": Anime, Bronies, and Cosplay: Developing a Better Understanding of Media That Inspires Intense Devotion

From super heroes to Minecraft to My Little Pony, when an interest becomes so strong it begins to shape an individual’s conversations, their peer group, and their dress, you may have entered the realm of “Geek Culture.”  It is important not to overlooked interests with which many children and adolescents have a passionate relationship. Having knowledge of and understanding media that inspires devotion and conversation in children and adolescents is a boon to a child and adolescent psychiatrist. It improves the ability to gather an accurate media history, helps identify personal strengths of the patient, and helps minimize confusion in the family where the child’s interest is not understood.