BIRGing v CORFing

When talking about BIRGing or CORFing you are talking about your response in association with a certain group. Basking in Reflected Glory (BIRG) refers to a person’s tendency to publicize a connection with another person who has been successful usually as an ego enhancement mechanism. Cutting Off Reflective Failure (CORF) refers to a response a person has to distance them self from those who don’t portray the self in the best possible way as a self-preservation mechanism.

The reason I bring these up for video games is that I think although these terms usually refer to a group you don’t have control over, the concept directly connects to playing video games. Personally I like to play sports video games NHL 13, Madden 13, NBA 2K13 you name it I probably like to play it. So while I am playing lets say NHL 13 I always find myself taking credit for a play that maybe the computer did saying that “I set that my guy up perfectly.” Or even if I do something cool that I wasn’t trying to do I will most definitely take credit for doing it. So that how I would say I BIRG in a video game but there is that other side when I’m not doing so hot. When they computer messes up or even me, lets be honest I immediately blame the game or the computer players or the avatar I’m controlling. I can hear my self right now yelling as I’ve done a million times “What hell are you doing computer why didn’t you pass it!” Even though I am the one who is controlling that avatar. So if something bad happens while I am playing I hardly ever take responsibility or credit for messing up and I think that directly connects to the concept of CORFing. As it is something that I do to make sure its not my fault if lose because I don’t want to be portrayed in a bad way where I can just have that be my excuse to disassociate myself for that loss.

Reference

Downs , Edward . "Cialdini's Work: BIRGing: Basking In Reflective Gloary." COMM 3560: Video Game Entertainment. University of Minnesota Duluth. Power Point , Duluth . 2 May 2013. Class lecture.

Downs , Edward . "Cialdini's Work: CORFing: Cutting Off Reflected Failure." COMM 3560: Video Game Entertainment. University of Minnesota Duluth. Power Point , Duluth . 2 May 2013. Class lecture.