Collecting vs. Hoarding


Since psychology is the study of human behavior and collecting toys is a behavior, it is only natural that the psychology of collecting would eventually be studied by psychology students and psychologist at some point in time. In fact, there have been many studies regarding the reasons why people collect and the fulfilling emotions that the practice provides. There are many collectors who worry whether or not their passion for collecting toys and other items might cross the line into the dangerous arena known as hoarding.


Many people collect items because they feel an emotional connection to them. For example, people who collect Star Trek toys often enjoyed the television show as a child and the items help them relive that feeling they had when they watch the show. Many collectors simply like the way that some objects look or feel in their hands.


The manual for psychologists is called the DSM, which is short for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, and this book includes the disorders that can be diagnosed and treated. The newest version will include information about hoarding so that psychologists can help people treat their psychological disorder. These are the cues for diagnosing hoarding:


1. Difficulty disposing of possessions, whether they are valuable or not.
2. Difficulty disposing of possessions comes from distress and strong urges to keep the items.
3. The home or workplace becomes unusable because it is extremely cluttered with items.
4. Distress and impairments comes from the fact that the home or workplace is so unsafe from all of the clutter.
5. Hoarding is a disorder that stands alone and is not caused by any other medical condition, like dementia.
6. Hoarding is a disorder that stands alone and is not caused by any other psychological disorder like obsessive-compulsive disorder or anxiety.


Once you have ruled out being a hoarder, you can then begin to understand the psychology of collecting. Many collectors might have the first two symptoms of hoarding, because it is very common for collectors to develop stress if they have to consider parting with their collections. They also develop strong urges to keep their collections intact.


The other symptoms of hoarding usually do not create problems with collectors. Many collectors keep the collections very organized. Displays are often neat and tidy, rather than cluttered and messy. The collections rarely interfere with the cleanliness of the house, which is the opposite of what happens with hoarders, who do not organize their items, but simply place them wherever they land.


Interestingly, in the studies regarding adults who collect, one team of researchers found that nearly 33% of all adults have some type of collection. However, when it comes to hoarding, the population of adults who hoard is under 5% of the population. Even at this population, odds are that everyone knows at least one person who would qualify for the diagnosis of hoarding. It is very important that hoarders get the help they need. It is also important that collectors continue to observe their collecting habits so they do not fall victim to life changing symptoms of hoarding.

Nendoroid: Cool Japanese Figures


The Japanese Good Smile Company is manufacturer of the Nendoroid series of little anime figures. The characters are found in anime and videogames which has made them very popular with collectors who love the big-eyed characters. The majority of the characters are Japanese game, manga, and anime stories. The Good Smile Company not only distributes the cute little products, but designs, manufactures, and markets them, too. They employ artists who know how to turn an anime characters into a figure with exaggerated features without losing the distinguishing features of that character. The Nendoroid figures are some of the highest quality in the industry, making them very desirable collectables all over the world.


Nendoroid is not a character, but a brand that the Good Smile Company makes in the chibi version of many licensed characters. When a characters is made into a chibi style, the characters are deformed to have large heads on small bodies. They are cute with extremely expressive manga/anime eyes. The clothes are fashionable and on some characters the clothes are sexy, but in a cute way. Nendoroid figures often have expressions that can be changed and the body parts can also be exchanged with other characters. The actual term, Nendo, means “clay” which is appropriate for these toys due to the fact that the characters can be changed. Nendoroid also makes petite versions of the characters as well as play sets, plush toys, and display pieces, too.


If you are familiar with manga and anime from Japan, the characters in the Nendoroid brand will be familiar names. Some of the popular creations include characters from Magical Girl Lyrical Nonoha, Haruhi Suzumiya, Vocaloid, and Fate/Stay Night. The majority of characters made into Nendoroids are Japanese fictional characters, but the company has made a few based on real people. The rare ones are designed to look like Kamui Kobayashi, from Formula One racing fame, Linkin Park, and some Japanese actors like Nana Mizuki.


When you begin collecting Nendoroids, you should know about a few different designs. The typical Nendoroid is about 10 centimeters tall and each one comes with a display stand. What makes them fun is that each piece comes with interchangeable expressions so you can make your Nendoroid look happy, sad, or angry. Not all of the 10 cm Nendoroids come with interchangeable facial expressions, but they might come with weapons, jewelry, or other accessories depending on the things the characters use in their original stories. Many of them also come with articulated joints for fun with posing them, too.


The Petite line has Nendoroid that measure in at 6.5 cm and they come with a display stand, too. These often come in a Nendoroid box that offers a surprise to the person who opens it - no one knows what the character will be on the inside of the box. These Nendoroid Petites also have interchangeable parts and facial expressions.


Lastly, Nendoroid More characters are the newest line that offers collectors a larger range of display options for the adorable characters. These characters can be displayed with clips and with suction cups.