Psychologist Analyzes Comic Book Character

[Hum]

He wears a caped bat costume in public and funds an alter ego out of his personal fortune. As a child he witnessed his parents' murders; as an adult, he puts his own life on the line, practicing a personal brand of vigilante justice.

He may be a comic book character, but Batman provides fertile ground for a psychologist, and California clinical psychologist Robin Rosenberg has taken up the challenge.

But rather than a confidential assessment in her office, Batman?s evaluation takes place in the pages of her new book: "What's the Matter With Batman?: An Unauthorized Clinical Look Under the Mask of the Caped Crusader".

As a character that came into being in 1939, Batman has had plenty of adventures, which, as of July 20, will include those detailed in the new movie The Dark Knight Rises.

No doubt, Batman has a troubled past. At the age of 8 or 10 ? depending on the story ? he witnesses his parents murders during a robbery, and, as a result, he resolved to go to war on crime, operating outside the criminal justice system.

"He is the poster boy for post-traumatic growth," Rosenberg said.

This term describes the process of becoming stronger and developing new goals and beliefs by making meaning of traumatic experiences, she explains. In the real world, it is not uncommon for people to turn to social activism. For instance, the founder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving lost her daughter to a drunk driver; John Walsh, the host of the anti-crime TV program "America's Most Wanted," had a son abducted and murdered; and after the Lewis family lost their 7-year-old son Kyle to a rare infection acquired while swimming, they have fought to raise awareness of the problem.

"I think that is part of what makes him a compelling character," Rosenberg said. "I think like a lot of people who put their lives on the line on a daily basis ? firefighters, police or the military ? I think there is something captivating to that level of dedication."

Of course, Batman's willingness to risk his life for others also raises the question, she said: Is extreme altruism a disorder?

In her analysis, Rosenberg said she focuses on the things that seem strange about Batman, characteristics that might be read as signs of a psychological disorder. Right off the bat, no pun intended, she must address the caped bat costume. It is actually a uniform, intended to frighten and grab attention, and like a police uniform, to send a particular message to crime victims and criminals, she said.

Batman's serious temperament and his sense of guilt over the death of his parents and one of his sidekicks could be construed as signs of depression, and his detachment could be taken as a sign of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

"Emotional numbing is a symptom of PTSD, and it involves a sense of detachment from others, and limited expression of emotion," she told LiveScience.

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[jnelsoninjax]

He is a comic book character, not a real person! Why would this lady feel the need to write a whole book about comic book characters?

[Hum]

^ for Money ... ? :shifty:

[DocM]

So Bats has emotional issues? That's been common knowledge since 1939 :rofl:

[Growled Member]

So Bats has emotional issues? That's been common knowledge since 1939 :rofl:

Yep. And he has many issues.

[Original Poster]

He is a comic book character, not a real person! Why would this lady feel the need to write a whole book about comic book characters?

lol for the giggles? everyone knows he is not real ... but it could be used as an extreme case to explain REAL peoples behaviors she could grab peoples attention by using their beloved heroes :p marketing psychology ;D she knows her stuff

[sanctified Veteran]

He is a comic book character, not a real person! Why would this lady feel the need to write a whole book about comic book characters?

Society's behavior is built upon its fictions. Any sociologist can agree.

[DocM]

Society's behavior is built upon its fictions.....

And with Batman being so popular for so long, what does that tell you? :whistle:

[sanctified Veteran]

And with Batman being so popular for so long, what does that tell you? :whistle:

The iconic tragic figure of the last century is the righteous sociopath. That explains our fixation for anti-heroes rather than heroes. It's quite interesting since it's not only a reflection but also a natural necessity. We crave for more rudimentary, animalistic social relationships and for less tight social rules while still maintaining a sense or morality and justice.

An interesting starting reading material for that could be The Uneasiness in Culture by Freud.

[moloko]

He is a comic book character, not a real person! Why would this lady feel the need to write a whole book about comic book characters?

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