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Abody swap (also namedmind swap,soul swap orbrain swap) is astorytelling device seen in a variety ofscience fiction and supernatural fiction, in which two people (or beings) exchange minds and end up in each other's bodies.[1]The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction calls the tropeIdentity Exchange, a version of "Identity Transfer".[2]
There are different types of body swapping. For non-technology swapping, switches can be caused bymagic items such as amulets, heartfeltwishes, or just strange quirks of theuniverse. The switches typically reverse after the subjects have expanded theirworld views, gained a new appreciation for each other's troubles by literally "walking in another's shoes" and/or caused sufficient amounts offarce. Examples include the booksVice Versa (1882)[3] andFreaky Friday (1972),[4] as well as the film versions of both.
Switches accomplished by technology, exempting gadgetsadvanced sufficiently to appear as magic, are the fare ofmad scientists. Body-swapping devices are usually characterized by a highly experimental status, straps, helmets with many complicated cables that run to a central system and a tendency to direly malfunction before their effects can be reversed. Those without such means may resort tobrain transplants. Such experiments can have overtones ofhorror orerotism.
Body swap is one of the mechanisms ofaccidental travel in fiction.
