Digging into the minds of superheroes
If you were one of the $155 million worth of people who saw “The Dark Knight” this weekend, you know that Batman’s got issues.
Like, serious issues. Superissues, even.
And he’s not the only one.
Superheroes are just teeming with psychological complexities and emotional baggage. It’s an inextricable part of who they are and why they fight evil.
In light of this superhero-heavy summer, we asked three senior psychology students at Nebraska Wesleyan to explore this topic and diagnose six of our most popular superheroes based on some basic info from us and their own research.
Here’s what they found.
Batman (a.k.a. Bruce Wayne)
Backstory: He’s the billionaire and winged crime-fighter who witnessed his parents’ murder as a young boy. Ever since he’s been scaring the living daylights out of the bad guys. And loving it.
Diagnosis by Clifford Ortlieb: “He’s suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome from watching his parents die, and he’s developed a one-shot learning phobia of bats. Because of the situation, he has aggressive tendencies. I wouldn’t prescribe him anything, but I would advise him to seek therapy.”
Iron Man (a.k.a. Tony Stark)
Backstory: Arms-dealer turned humanitarian, the rich, suave Stark moonlights as an iron-encased superhero. He decided to do so after being injured by his own weapons and held captive by his enemies. Super-heroing aside, Stark’s kind of a mess, whether it’s his commitment issues with women or his apparent drinking problem.
Diagnosis by Ortlieb: “Iron Man’s biggest problem would probably be his alcoholism. And he probably has some post-traumatic stress from being captured. Like Batman, he’s treating his problems by fighting crime. He should also undergo therapy.”
Superman (a.k.a. Clark Kent)
Backstory: This alien who grew up in Kansas eventually saved Earth. His ability to do, well, just about anything forced him to conceal his powers and create an alter-identity as the nebbish journalist Kent. And trying to be everything to everyone can be kind of stressful.
Diagnosis by Julie Shallenberger: “Depersonalization disorder. That’s one of the disaffected disorders that has to do with identity. Superman’s perception of himself is altered. He feels disconnected from his own life. Stress triggers this, and he’s stressed from always being expected to help everyone.”
Hulk (a.k.a. Bruce Banner)
Backstory: Ever since reticent physicist Banner was exposed to a blast of the gamma bomb he created, he has a problem controlling his anger. Rage-induced adrenaline turns him into a big, green, petulant monster. Hulk angry. Hulk SMASH!
Diagnosis by Shallenberger: “The Hulk suffers from conduct disorder, which involves behaviors that basically violate rights of others or societal norms. Aggression, damaging property. The Hulk fits that. It also involves significant impairment of social functioning.”
Hellboy (a.k.a. HB)
Backstory: Around the time of World War II, the Nazis opened up a gateway to hell and out popped this little devil baby. After being caught by the Americans, Hellboy was raised (as a Christian) by a surrogate father. Now, he fights evil and fixates on his unnatural, hellish appearance.
Diagnosis by Staci Cherry: “He shows signs of body dysmorphic disorder. That’s a preoccupation with an imagined or exaggerated physical defect. Some people will just be obsessed with a part of their nose to the point where they get it physically altered.”
Wonder Woman (a.k.a. Diana)
Backstory: Princess of a mystical Amazon tribe, Diana goes into the real world only to find that she’s way more Wonder-ful than anybody else. It doesn’t hurt that she was blessed by all the deities of Greek mythology and made as “beautiful as Aphrodite, wise as Athena, stronger than Hercules, and swifter than Mercury.”
Diagnosis by Cherry: “Narcissistic personality disorder. That’s when you have a grandiose view of your unique abilities. She thinks she’s the only successful person. She thinks she’s a goddess. People like this are really self-centered and preoccupied with their success. They have troubles with personal relationships.”
Reach Micah Mertes at 473-7395 or mmertes@journalstar.com.
Like, serious issues. Superissues, even.
And he’s not the only one.
Superheroes are just teeming with psychological complexities and emotional baggage. It’s an inextricable part of who they are and why they fight evil.
In light of this superhero-heavy summer, we asked three senior psychology students at Nebraska Wesleyan to explore this topic and diagnose six of our most popular superheroes based on some basic info from us and their own research.
Here’s what they found.
Batman (a.k.a. Bruce Wayne)
Backstory: He’s the billionaire and winged crime-fighter who witnessed his parents’ murder as a young boy. Ever since he’s been scaring the living daylights out of the bad guys. And loving it.
Diagnosis by Clifford Ortlieb: “He’s suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome from watching his parents die, and he’s developed a one-shot learning phobia of bats. Because of the situation, he has aggressive tendencies. I wouldn’t prescribe him anything, but I would advise him to seek therapy.”
Iron Man (a.k.a. Tony Stark)
Backstory: Arms-dealer turned humanitarian, the rich, suave Stark moonlights as an iron-encased superhero. He decided to do so after being injured by his own weapons and held captive by his enemies. Super-heroing aside, Stark’s kind of a mess, whether it’s his commitment issues with women or his apparent drinking problem.
Diagnosis by Ortlieb: “Iron Man’s biggest problem would probably be his alcoholism. And he probably has some post-traumatic stress from being captured. Like Batman, he’s treating his problems by fighting crime. He should also undergo therapy.”
Superman (a.k.a. Clark Kent)
Backstory: This alien who grew up in Kansas eventually saved Earth. His ability to do, well, just about anything forced him to conceal his powers and create an alter-identity as the nebbish journalist Kent. And trying to be everything to everyone can be kind of stressful.
Diagnosis by Julie Shallenberger: “Depersonalization disorder. That’s one of the disaffected disorders that has to do with identity. Superman’s perception of himself is altered. He feels disconnected from his own life. Stress triggers this, and he’s stressed from always being expected to help everyone.”
Hulk (a.k.a. Bruce Banner)
Backstory: Ever since reticent physicist Banner was exposed to a blast of the gamma bomb he created, he has a problem controlling his anger. Rage-induced adrenaline turns him into a big, green, petulant monster. Hulk angry. Hulk SMASH!
Diagnosis by Shallenberger: “The Hulk suffers from conduct disorder, which involves behaviors that basically violate rights of others or societal norms. Aggression, damaging property. The Hulk fits that. It also involves significant impairment of social functioning.”
Hellboy (a.k.a. HB)
Backstory: Around the time of World War II, the Nazis opened up a gateway to hell and out popped this little devil baby. After being caught by the Americans, Hellboy was raised (as a Christian) by a surrogate father. Now, he fights evil and fixates on his unnatural, hellish appearance.
Diagnosis by Staci Cherry: “He shows signs of body dysmorphic disorder. That’s a preoccupation with an imagined or exaggerated physical defect. Some people will just be obsessed with a part of their nose to the point where they get it physically altered.”
Wonder Woman (a.k.a. Diana)
Backstory: Princess of a mystical Amazon tribe, Diana goes into the real world only to find that she’s way more Wonder-ful than anybody else. It doesn’t hurt that she was blessed by all the deities of Greek mythology and made as “beautiful as Aphrodite, wise as Athena, stronger than Hercules, and swifter than Mercury.”
Diagnosis by Cherry: “Narcissistic personality disorder. That’s when you have a grandiose view of your unique abilities. She thinks she’s the only successful person. She thinks she’s a goddess. People like this are really self-centered and preoccupied with their success. They have troubles with personal relationships.”
Reach Micah Mertes at 473-7395 or mmertes@journalstar.com.
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