tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885965067884869290.post100026988484980396..comments2024-02-26T08:05:47.275-05:00Comments on Psychablog: Can the Joker Be a Psychopath and Have Antisocial Personality Disorder?Robin S. Rosenberg, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952258050721622542noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885965067884869290.post-72417746098997440482018-02-22T10:44:56.317-05:002018-02-22T10:44:56.317-05:00According to Walsh Research Institute, 95% of peop...According to Walsh Research Institute, 95% of people with antisocial personality disorder are undermethylated (and also most cases of OCD, anorexia, seasonal depression, schizoaffective disorder, etc.): https://www.vitacure.me/blogs/news/difference-undermethylated-vs-overmethylated-symptomsAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06804060187682583730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885965067884869290.post-78963378515345926272013-09-12T10:59:20.974-04:002013-09-12T10:59:20.974-04:00Very nice post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog...Very nice post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I've truly loved surfing around your blog posts.<br />After all I'll be subscribing for your rss feed and I'm hoping you <br />write once more very soon!<br /><br />Here is my webpage: <a href="http://swdev.linksanywhere.com/user/profile/rubyenzdm/" rel="nofollow">Maximum 10</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885965067884869290.post-35708325189981237972012-06-08T20:03:00.811-04:002012-06-08T20:03:00.811-04:00Actually the Joker was strictly driven by impulse....Actually the Joker was strictly driven by impulse. He did what he did just to see what would happen. It was all a game to him. This becomes quite obvious when in the middle of the movie he abruptly changes his plan (if it can even be called that) to not kill the Batman, but to involve him in his game as the main player. This is further evidenced when he put a loaded pistol in the hand of a man who he knew full well had a strong desire to kill him, put the gun to his own forehead and allowed his fate to be judged by the flip of a coin. His "plans" also provide no consideration to his own safety. It doesn't get much more impulsive than that. It's just that his impulses are of a grander scope, showing a high degree of intelligence that you typically see in sociopaths.<br /><br />The comic further adds the possibility of an extreme and unhealthy one sided co-dependent relationship. He considers the Batman to not only be his friend after a fashion, he goes out of his way to save Batman's life on several occasions. The Joker's crime sprees are the only way he really knows of interacting with him. Without Batman at this point, it's very possible that the Joker could even enter into an existential crisis: what would he be without Batman's intervention and attention? You can't really analyze the psychology of the Joker without looking at the relationship between him and Batman.Hosfachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07426034578655224142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885965067884869290.post-87978921134499683682012-04-24T00:27:36.850-04:002012-04-24T00:27:36.850-04:00Well we can assume that he grew up in a broken hom...Well we can assume that he grew up in a broken home, because he keeps saying that he hates his dad. From that you can guess that from an early age a lot of these symptoms were present.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885965067884869290.post-26376056474515566312011-12-05T12:17:07.104-05:002011-12-05T12:17:07.104-05:00I noticed you were interested in knowing more abou...I noticed you were interested in knowing more about the jokers orgin. I don't know if this will help but there is a comic called Killing the Joke that kinda shows how he became the joker and started his rampage.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885965067884869290.post-26242146573873459452011-06-17T15:23:13.918-04:002011-06-17T15:23:13.918-04:00Dear Ms Rosenberg,
This post of yours made me be...Dear Ms Rosenberg,<br /><br /><br />This post of yours made me become interested in the Joker's mind and the psychopathy tendencies of him which were shown in the film, but which I didn't really thought about that much before ( - and your blog of course).<br /><br />After reading your simple yet tellingly analysis of the Heath Ledger's Joker I kept thinking and hoping you might be overthinking my request of analysing the Joker and Harley Quinn of Batman: The Animated Series and their relationship. ...? *awkwardly smile*<br /><br />I read various entries of other people about the Joker, his mind and relationship with Harley Quinn. But their "analysis" weren't too deep going and enough detailed for me (or atleast not that based on a psychologist's point of view, if you understand what I mean).<br /><br />And it kept frustrating me not to find anything useful about Harley's condition. Which disorders she may have etc. I somewhere read that she some time ago found out herself (->self-diagnosis) that she'd has bipolar disorder, dependent personality disorder and borderline personality disorder (and probably forgot it later in the Joker's company *) but in which way? I found this actually on this site, which gives you many basic (and detailed) information about Harleen Quinzel, but they aren't just focused on her appearance and/or behaviour in The Animated Series, but rather everything that appeared to "belong" to her in some way after several years: http://www.gothambystorm.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=canon&action=display&thread=348<br /><br />(* Did she "got" any more disorders (if that's possible) after becoming Harley Quinn? Or did the previous ones "change"?)<br /><br /><br />To come back to her relationship with the "Clown of Crime", I recently found a website dealing with psychopaths in general and their behaviour in having a relationship with other, non-psychpathy people. (http://psychopathyawareness.wordpress.com/)<br /><br />They (the psychopaths) tend to be "passionate" with their "lovers" first, but quickly lose interest in them. They don't feel any genuine affection to their "victims", only "satisfaction" (I just call it like that because I don't know any other word to describe it properly) from turturing and slowly "breaking" them. <br />If they got what they wanted, the relationship often breaks down. That's why they're never really long-lasting.<br /><br />Some things told above suit the Joker's and Harley's relationship, just that their's is, in fact, long-lasting. Even when he gets sick of her at times and punches her in the face (poor example, but you get the idea), he always keeps interest in her in a certain way (and she keeps thinking he is her "Puddin'" and "Sweetheart" who just had a bad time).<br /><br />My question is- why? What makes their unhealthy and unbalanced seeming relationship so long-lasting and even functional (for them, in a way)? <br /><br />The last thing I just have to ask you- do you think psychopaths are evil?<br />(http://psychopathyawareness.wordpress.com/2010/12/06/why-psychopaths-are-evil/)<br />This website keeps telling us that psychopaths are evil, disgusting people who you shouldn't be fascinated of and you have to avoid at any cost. I don't disagree with the last point, but "evil"? <br />Is this your take on psychopaths too?<br /><br /><br /><br />Wow, that was a hell of a comment. Haha, I apologise for taking your time, I hope I didn't waste it. <br /><br />I would really appreciate it if you would take some more of your time and answer some of my questions or even write a full post about my request.<br />It would help someone with a growing interest for psychology very much (and I'm sure others would be interested in more "Joker stuff" too).<br /><br /><br /><br />Yours sincerely,<br />HattersMadGirlHattersMadGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18117931598123389269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885965067884869290.post-7155645666927640172010-06-03T17:41:35.740-04:002010-06-03T17:41:35.740-04:00It seems to me that you are all forgetting that th...It seems to me that you are all forgetting that the joker time after time gives signes that he is aware of all these diorders. I my opinion he is much more complex to be put in any of these categories that are mentioned here.<br />The best description of him would be that he has reached a level of consciousness where he is comfortable and indifferent no matter what happens to the world around him or to him.<br />He moves where the boundary is just to see whats on the other side. I think that is the only thing that gives him purpose.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885965067884869290.post-42661237925587000362010-05-09T14:06:29.724-04:002010-05-09T14:06:29.724-04:00I'm writing a script about psychopathy, and I ...I'm writing a script about psychopathy, and I really like the way you analyzed the Joker, using Robert Hare's list. It really gave me more insight in my favourite character in film.Antitheisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11466463850459791536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885965067884869290.post-65150609435782585582009-03-10T18:22:00.000-04:002009-03-10T18:22:00.000-04:00Thanks for posting this..it has been the most usef...Thanks for posting this..it has been the most useful one I have found so far. I have to diagnos a celebrity or charcter for my psychology class and I chose him! Thanks again!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885965067884869290.post-77287445460446098352008-12-07T17:01:00.000-05:002008-12-07T17:01:00.000-05:00Thanks for the response!Thanks for the response!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885965067884869290.post-85569321346016043312008-11-26T16:38:00.000-05:002008-11-26T16:38:00.000-05:00Blake:Thanks for your post. See my responses in CA...Blake:<BR/>Thanks for your post. See my responses in CAPS, below:<BR/><BR/>-A diagnosis of mania requires that a person show an elevated, expansive, or irritable mood for at least one week, plus at least 3 or more of the following symptoms.<BR/>-elevated, expansive, or irritable mood (check) (I AGREED WITH YOU THERE)<BR/>-Inflated self esteem or grandiosity (check) (ON THIS ONE, I THINK THAT HIS SELF-ESTEEM OR GRANDIOSITY MAY BE ACCURATE, AND SO WOULDN'T REALLY BE CONSIDERED AS THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOM OF GRANDIOSITY)<BR/>-Decreased need for sleep (unknown)<BR/>-More talkative than usual, a pressure to keep talking (don't know what is usual)<BR/>-Flight of ideas or sense that your thoughts are racing (unknown)<BR/>-Distractibility (I think the Joker is rather focused)<BR/>-Increase in activity directed at achieving goals (check)(WE DON'T KNOW WHAT HIS BASELINE IS SO WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER THIS IS AN "INCREASE")<BR/>-Excessive involvement in potentially dangerous activities (check)<BR/><BR/>I'M ONLY COMFORTABLE ENDORSING TWO OF THE SYMPTOMS LISTED, WHICH ISN'T ENOUGH FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER. ALSO, HIS DANGEROUS ACTIVITIES MAY BE BETTER EXPLAINED BY ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER. WE JUST DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT HIS BASELINE MOOD TO DETERMINE WHETHER MOOD DISORDER IS A GOOD FIT.Robin S. Rosenberg, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01952258050721622542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885965067884869290.post-47346469430376997512008-11-26T16:24:00.000-05:002008-11-26T16:24:00.000-05:00I also agree that the Joker can be diagnosed with ...I also agree that the Joker can be diagnosed with Bipolar I and is in the Manic state. He goes above and beyond meeting the criteria for Mania, which is really the only requirement for Bipolar I diagnosis according to my Abnormal Psychology book. <BR/><BR/>Here are some excerpts from my book about Bipolar I and Mania.<BR/><BR/>Bipolar I<BR/>-Major Depressive Episodes can occur but are not necessary for diagnosis.<BR/>-Episodes meeting full criteria for mania are necessary for diagnosis.<BR/>-Hypomanic episodes can occur between episodes of severe mania or major depression but are not necessary for diagnosis. <BR/><BR/>Symptoms of Mania<BR/>-A diagnosis of mania requires that a person show an elevated, expansive, or irritable mood for at least one week, plus at least 3 or more of the following symptoms.<BR/>-elevated, expansive, or irritable mood (check)<BR/> -Inflated self esteem or grandiosity (check)<BR/> -Decreased need for sleep (unknown)<BR/> -More talkative than usual, a pressure to keep talking (don't know what is usual)<BR/> -Flight of ideas or sense that your thoughts are racing (unknown)<BR/> -Distractibility (I think the Joker is rather focused)<BR/> -Increase in activity directed at achieving goals (check)<BR/> -Excessive involvement in potentially dangerous activities (check)<BR/><BR/>“People who experience manic episodes meeting these criteria are said to have bipolar I disorder.”<BR/><BR/>So even though we don’t see the depression associated with bipolar I, the book says this is not necessary for diagnosing someone with Bipolar I… So, what do you think?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885965067884869290.post-71510635239131576892008-09-01T21:17:00.000-04:002008-09-01T21:17:00.000-04:00Did I post this on the wrong blog? Cause this same...Did I post this on the wrong blog? Cause this same blog was on another site.<BR/>I’d say by the way Health Ledger portrayed the character that the change (in the character) happened after The Joker was treated medically for his psychological problems. It appears, through the motor tics that Health portrays that The Joker was previously on anti-psychotic medications and has discontinued them abruptly. His character is not psychotic, but does have delusions of self grandeur.<BR/><BR/>As for the Sociopath vs. ASPD argument. Yes you can have both. As you said, there is no DSM-IV TR criteria for a sociopath. As far as I am aware there is also no successful treatment for this DO and it typically stems out of their experiences with close interpersonal relationships, often beginning with their mother and father. Typically they are emotionally neglected or manipulated.<BR/><BR/>I’d also like to argue that you stated he doesn’t have a grandiose sense of self. I think the scene where he walks into the Mob boss meeting and asserts himself as better than all of them is a perfect example of grandiosity, as well as burning all of the cash in the end. This type of flagrant behavior in addition to the grandiosity and sheer energy of his character could tilt us in the direction of looking at whether or not he has Bipolar Mood DO and is in a manic state. I would need to know more about The Joker’s habits to be able to fully rule this out.<BR/><BR/>I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and thought Heath’s portrayal was ingenious.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885965067884869290.post-47388608946500605402008-07-31T01:27:00.000-04:002008-07-31T01:27:00.000-04:00That's good to know. My DSM teacher drilled that ...That's good to know. My DSM teacher drilled that into my skull this last year. :)Jaredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16473049435011189327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885965067884869290.post-36919435640003443192008-07-31T00:59:00.000-04:002008-07-31T00:59:00.000-04:00Right you are Jared. They only gave me 300 words f...Right you are Jared. They only gave me 300 words for my review, so I was talking about the diagnostic criteria in "A." We don't know whether the Joker showed any evidence of conduct disorder. Thanks for that clarification!Robin S. Rosenberg, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01952258050721622542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885965067884869290.post-9935743039290919932008-07-31T00:50:00.000-04:002008-07-31T00:50:00.000-04:00Actually, your diagnosis of ASPD is incorrect unle...Actually, your diagnosis of ASPD is incorrect unless you can prove that he had a history of conduct disorder before the age of 15. :) Sorry.Jaredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16473049435011189327noreply@blogger.com