pretending

Pretending is the act of presenting a situation, identity, or property as if it were real when it is not, typically for imaginative, social, or evaluative purposes. The term encompasses both deliberate acts of make-believe and more routine forms of role-playing. In everyday use, pretending is usually voluntary and intentional, distinguishing it from mistaken beliefs or perceptual distortions.

Pretending occurs in many settings: children's pretend play, where objects stand in for other things (a broom becomes a horse), and adult activities such as role-playing games, theater, or cosplay. It can involve an as-if mindset, in which a person adopts a different perspective for exploration, humor, or empathy. Many pretend acts rely on shared conventions about what counts as real within the pretend scenario.

Functions and outcomes include cognitive and social development in children, including language use, problem solving, and theory of mind. In adults, pretending supports learning, creativity, emotional regulation, and social bonding, and it underpins performance arts and fiction by enabling audiences to suspend disbelief and engage with constructed worlds.

Ethical and practical distinctions are important: pretending generally differs from deception aimed at harm or personal gain, though boundaries can blur when pretending is used manipulatively. It also contrasts with delusional beliefs, which are not voluntary, shared, or controllable. Awareness of context and consent helps maintain healthy boundaries for both individuals and groups.

See also: make-believe, role-playing, theater, fiction.