Tuesday, 1 March 2011
pyscology of uniforms
Military Clothing – Psychological Warfare
Donning military clothing can have a massive psychological impact on both the soldier wearing it and on his enemy
Military clothing and psychological warfare
Ever since the beginning of mankind and war, military clothing was used to identify soldiers and to have an impact on the enemy. Their appearance and the kinds of military clothing worn were designed to intimidate and overwhelm the enemy. Even in remote native areas where fighters don’t have access to uniforms or military clothing, the men would adorn outfits and garments designed to put fear into their enemy. Nose art and bones for example were used as symbols to scare opponents.
Distinct military clothing
Those countries with vast armies who had distinct military clothing, also used garments to strike fear – King Frederick William 1 of Prussia had an elite unit of tall men in tall mitre hats to make them seem bigger, scarier and more intimidating. They were known as the Potsdam Giants. From 1740 to 1918, Prussian hussars wore the skull and crossbones on their hats.
Warrior-like clothing
The soldiers of ancient Sparta are perhaps the most renowned for their warrior-like status. They wore expensive red cloaks as part of their military clothing supposedly because the blood of their enemies wouldn’t leave stains.
Sinister military clothing
Perhaps the most sinister of uniforms in recent times was that of Hitler’s army. The military clothing that featured leather boots, leather belts and insignia, was symptomatic of the times. After 1933, workers in the government wore uniforms and in Nazi Germany each agency had its own type of uniform. There were an enormous amount of titles ranks and various military clothing and uniforms.
The psychology of uniforms
The notion that putting someone into a uniform can alter their behaviour has fascinated psychologists. It has long been questioned how ordinary German people committed such brutal acts of genocide – and some believe donning military clothing played a big psychological part.
Uniformity and morale
The army have always used military clothing and uniform to keep people in line. Wearing military clothing also gave a sense of identity to soldiers and tellingly when pregnant US servicewomen were allowed to wear normal clothes in the advanced stages of their pregnancy, they reported morale problems.
Loss of individual morality
Although military clothing and uniforms can boost morale and create a sense of purpose, they can also have a worrying effect on soldiers too. Academics have discovered that donning military clothing or any kind of uniform increases the risk of sliding personal morals. People are more willing to do things in groups that they would never do as an individual – which explains the genocide of Nazi Germany for example.
Military clothing and camaraderie
However with the correct leadership, wearing military clothing and uniforms can also promote decent behaviour. Soldiers who share a uniform tend to have a stronger sense of loyalty and experts have said that soldiers will frame their own behaviour so as not to bring shame on their comrades.
http://www.johnbullclothing.com/psychological_warfare.asp
couple of ideas
maybe the word uniform could be made up of many different little figures in uniforms, like little lego figures
one long strip with uniform printed on it in different orientations
lots of dots all in line regimented to look like army procession
a load of little toy story soldiers all lined up?
one long strip with uniform printed on it in different orientations
lots of dots all in line regimented to look like army procession
a load of little toy story soldiers all lined up?
obssseion book
i love how it looks textured without adding anything to it!!
http://nytimesbooks.blogspot.com/2008/10/obsession-history.html
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