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We take a comfortable distance in asking of killers, what is wrongwith them? when we should be exploring the question what happenedto them?. Unlike other portrayals of the Joker, it is not simply implied that he has a characterological flaw. Besides Pseudobulbar effect, there is a general behavior in people that they start laughing at something very devastating because they cant accept what they see. He is withdrawn and anti-social, but does not seem to be inherently callous or devious. Its very understandable. During the English Civil War of the 1600s, a guy named Thomas Hobbes was a bit ahead of the curve in terms of this illusory superiority thing, even if he never exactly recognized it as such. For Arthur, the intensity of his efforts to further the Murray Franklin quest increases following his first few murders. Murray, though, attempts to harness his own calmness and engages in the conversation, which continues to air to Gothams viewers, city-wide. The episodes are typically precipitated by an intense feeling of nervousness, anxiety, or shame. The system fails him. Undoubtedly, employing our empathy for him feels irresponsible and dangerous, and it makes us sense our own fragility, shortcomings and weaknesses. How realistic was it? 4) Having a psychiatric diagnosis is neither necessary nor sufficient as a risk factor for committing an act of mass violence. Introduce a little anarchy, upset the established order and everything become chaos. One thing to note is that before he engages in any violence, Arthur is particularly interested in getting better. The Joker is a disturbed and malicious villain who is the archenemy of Batman. Curious, Arthur impulsively opens a letter that Penny had written to Wayne, and reads her pleas for Wayne to take care of his son. Arthur is livid in learning the news, feeling resentment toward the Wayne family for not caring for him or his mother. Feeling sorry for him, Arthurs co-worker hands him a pistol one day at his workplace. Cohen, who specializes in violence and psychopathy, told Insider that "Joker" strengthens the incorrect stereotype that there is a link between mental illness and violence. is not interpreted as actual laughing by medical professionals but considered a deficit in the patients ability to control their facial muscles. Learning that he was adopted triggered significant beliefs that he had no real belonging in this world, no known origin aside from abandonment and abuse. The Joker, The Dark Knight. The fits become so uncomfortably uncontrollable for Arthur that it causes him to cry, stutter, and react with guttural chokes. Consistent with this theory, it is revealed in the film that Arthur was physically abused as a child, and experienced a significant violent assault that caused head trauma. The message of this film also explains why the media has had such a hysterical response to Joker (2019). Sadism and Lust murder is what may be the character definition of His therapist does not seem to notice a glaring red flag: pictures of naked women with the clipping torn at the neck, or hard scribbling covering their faces. The events follow the one bad day principle in that all it takes is one lousy day to turn your life upside down. Professors of Psychology at the University of Nevada. In his line of work as a cheap party clown, Arthurs oddities are amplified. You know how you come back to a movie after a couple years and have some new insights? Unlike other portrayals, Phoenixs Joker struggles to achieve a sense of intrinsic happiness and seems unable to activate pleasurable feelings within himself. This expressive disorder is characterized by uncontrollable, sudden and intense episodes of laughter (or for some patients, crying) that are exaggerated and incongruent with the underlying mood. The Joker is simply an outlet for the Shadow, and such a compelling one that that millions have been captivated by him and have vicariously lived out the depravities of their psyches Shadow. All it takes is one bad day The Joker, Batman : The Killing Joke. Before the day of the heist, his wife and unborn child die in an accident. In this fantasy, Murray Franklin welcomes him onto the stage and tells him, in front of the cameras, Id give it up in a heartbeat to have a kid like you. In a way, his parasocial, unharmful relationship with Murray Franklin is a protective factor. The psychological state of the joker is revealed in the very first scene of the trailer where his therapist asks him, does it help to have someone to talk to?. Originally conceived as an evil \"court-jester\" type, the character was initially rejected by studio writer Bill Finger as being \"too clownish,\" but he later relayed the idea to Bob Kane. He is forced to commit the crime and in the middle of it is met by the Batman. The psychological outcome often includes outbursts of frustration, anger, and the development of depression. Harvey Dent was Gotham Citys White Knight, the walking epitome of justice, order and nobility. Why do we see that freakish red scar of a smile on so many t-shirts, posters, and memes? They enjoy watching the Murray Franklin show together, as a bonding family ritual. A Psychological Profile of Wade Michael Page: The Sikh Shooter . However, it is certain that he was at one point a thug leader known as Red Hood, and was eventually thrown into a vat of chemicals, driving him to insanity and permanently changing the colors of his body, most notably white skin and green hair. Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Pinterest. At the peak of his speech, Arthur asks Murray directly, in a raised and threatening voice, What do you get when you cross a mentally ill loner with a society that abandons him and treats him like trash? Murray, now fearful, commands his team to call the cops, but Arthur continues, now fully escalating: Ill tell you what you get you get what you fucking deserve! He then pulls out his gun shoots Murray in the forehead, killing him instantly. Incidents of senseless, unforgivable acts of atrocities by lone gunmen have become a part of our cultural andpsychological landscape. The condition called Involuntary Emotional Expression Disorder (IEED), also known as pseudobulbar affect, is indeed a real neurological disease characterized by emotional lability, and pathological laughing. The way it affects him, the way it turns him into its product. Arthur is significantly underweight, his face sunken and pallid; and although he isnt repulsive, his untidy, bizarre appearance is off-putting to others. Novel aggression, or the experimentation of new forms of violence, may appear as an early warning sign of future, more severe and lethal forms of behavior for individuals who may be a safety threat to society. Arthur lives with a neurological condition that is described in the film as spontaneous, socially inappropriate laughter. Finger found a photograph of actor Conrad Veidt wearing make-up for the silent film The Man Who Laughs, and it was from this photograph that the Joker was mo By Julie Mille r. Im a dog chasing cars. This Joker pursues ways to integrate into society through normative, healthy channels. Therefore, since Harley Quinn is in love with the Joker, she is willing to sacrifice her reputation for him and become a criminal. A single episode may last longer than a minute, and increases in intensity and loudness. The Joker is known to take his anger out against the world through violent means, which sometimes involves using explosive devices and guns in public places. It remains unclear whether these are congruent with his desires or ego-dystonic(intrusive, upsetting thoughts that are not aligned with his sense of self). In many ways, Arthur is a product of interactionalsocialization; his peculiarities influence others to ostracize, bully, or avoid him, which in turn, lead him to isolate, grow weirder, and inevitably miss opportunities to improve his social skills. Meanwhile, Arthur becomes fixated on his new weapon. The new movie Joker is the gritty origin story of the iconic comic book villain of Gotham. He is instead met with doubts, derision and even dismissive reactions from his own mother, who casually tells him, You have to actually be funny to be a comedian. Phoenixs Joker directly deals with mental illness. a Great Educational Tool. Hobbes is saying that without the structured control of the government (what the Joker calls the schemers), people become animals. Then she adds, solemnly, they dont really give a s**t about people like me. Similar to Arthur, mental health providers are dismissed, rejected, and abandoned in a city like Gotham. His origin has remained relatively mysterious, sparking questions about how a psycho killer is created. What pstd or a psychotic break? The Joker was a psychotic anarchist mastermind who, portrayed himself as an agent of chaos, rose to power in the criminal underworld by thrusting Gotham City into turmoil and drew Batman ever closer to crossing the fine line between heroism and vigilantism. To his therapist, he adds, I just dont want to feel so bad anymore. Arthur acknowledges his depression and his inability to escape from the weight of his disease. B. 3) People with mental health problems are more likely to be the victims of violent crime than the perpetrators. It is difficult to know where to begin with this criminal. The Joker is, without a doubt, Batman'sdeadliest foe. The men turn their attention toward him and begin to ridicule him. Calm. Im not calling people stupid, either. Fleck also has multiple mental illnesses including one that causes him to laugh uncontrollably when nervous. Kane, who started out as a gag artist, loved the concept and encouraged its production. With help from professionals in different fields, he seeks to shine light The other two men, however, he shoots at close range. This is how origin stories go: The Joker is shaped by his traumas, haunted by the void of compassion, and discarded by a failing system. In fact, when were introduced to him, Arthur has little insight in how he comes across to others. In this episode we discuss the 2019 Joker Movie. Joker is not an action movie, it is a sad psychological drama, depicting the suffering of a man who was wronged, and got it wrong. At least two of these identities or Email This BlogThis! They are known as pre-offense behaviors, due to the direct correlation between these types of passages and consequent acts of violence. Name: The Joker. Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. Startled, he falls into a vat of chemicals in the factory where the crime is taking place and washes up outside the factory rendered insane. She is a woman obsessed with life and freedom but doesnt know how to achieve her idea of a fulfilled life. Seems harmless at first, but this outward display of rage is Arthurs tryout, for future violence. Clinical depression is a serious medical condition, rooted in neurobiological causes, that is associated with symptoms such as chronic feelings of melancholy, loss of pleasure, lack of energy, difficulty in concentrating, and suicidal thoughts. Acquired capabilitymeans that a person has crossedthat protective thresholdtheyve overcome the normal inhibitions against harming oneself. Arthur also makes concerted efforts to attend his job regularly, despite the challenges involved. As he sits on the very couch he used to fantasize about, Arthurs guard is actually down. Confident. He discovers that Penny was admitted to Arkham State Hospital for serious mental health problems as well as child endangerment, and that Thomas Wayne is not his father. Importantly, Phoenixs Joker does not try to be disturbing or strange; he does not seek the thrillof upsetting or endangering others. psychology, and has been used as an example of evil, villainy, and moral bankruptcy. Source: The Dark Knight (movie, 2008) Background Information. He is responsible for countless deaths and is Arthur fantasizes of being in the spotlight, basking in the glow of show lights, approval, and applause. In a crucial session, he begins to leak his homicidal ideation. The Joker wants to push a whole city into the wicked gravity of madness and anarchy. He acts in ways that we sometimes wish we could, deep down, and we get a vicarious rush out of seeing him indulge in such behavior, without anyone really getting hurt. Fleck is a man losing his grip on Shortly after being fired, Arthur witnesses three Wayne Enterprises businessmen begin to harass a woman on the subway. This drive has ultimately lead to various tradegies, The newly acquired gun drops out of his clown pants and hits the ground in plain sight and is immediately fired. While controversy surrounds his theories today, one idea of his has stuck around that most people regard as true: we all break bad every once in a while. When he believes his medication is not working, he asks for higher doses. These are tough times. She isnt unhelpful, but seems to focus on a set of structured steps or required, systematic checklists, rather than attune to Arthurs direct (and changing) mental health needs. These are likely recordings of Arthurs subversive fantasies. His crimes are not fueled by the desire for money, ambition, or other ordinary motifs. Jung explained this phenomenon with a concept called the Shadow. The Shadow is the part of a persons psyche they refuse to acknowledge. Among violent killers, less than half have an actual known history of a mental disorder. So no, I wouldnt say she is some female Joker. Though his exact psychiatric diagnosis is not named, Arthur makes direct reference to his meds (he is taking up to four different kinds), hispsychotherapy (he sees a social worker for weekly counseling), and his history of severe mental illness (he has been committed to Arkham State Hospital at least once). Does it help to have someone to talk to? his therapists asks; and Arthur replies, I felt better when I was locked up in the hospital.. Many of us have had this feeling at least once in our lives. Quite the contrary, Arthur dreams of winning the adoration of others by becoming a successful stand-up comedian. There are times when a certain character influences you so much that you totally sink yourself into that character. He joins a bunch of crooks operating as the Red Hood gang to make easy money. Further, they just want to step aside the pain by laughing it off. For individuals with treatment-resistant depressionin other words, few to no symptoms are relieved by the medicationstandard treatments arent enough. The Joker initially appeared as a remorseless serial killer, modeled after a joker playing card with a mirthless grin, who killed his victims with "Joker venom," a toxin that left their faces smiling grotesquely. The Joker, The Dark Knight. Phoenixs Joker may currently be received as the most frightening manifestation of a modern comic-book villain. But the truth is that we can trace nearly every step of his descent into destruction. Psychological Disorders Dissociative Identity: A. At the screening I attended, there was an armed guard outside, something Ive never seen at a film screening before. The Joker, Clown Prince of Crime, is Batman's arch-nemesis. Somewhat like the earlier pantomime of suicide by gunshot, Arthurs wish to suffocate himself is a new sign of self-destruction. Similar to Arthur Flecks path to destruction, the triggering event for most targeted violence is the acquisition of a lethal weapon, coupled by a significant social, occupational, or personal loss. But why, despite being a psychopathic, nihilistic murderer, is the character so popular so loved, even? This series is not intended as a substitute for the medical or mental health advice of psychiatrists or other clinical professionals. It is easy for us to dismiss Phoenixs Joker as a maniacal psycho who acts in unpredictable, senseless ways. Depersonalizing women by removing their faces allows Arthur to objectify them and even experiment with feelings of aggression or sadism toward them. Beginning: A Sad In fact, up to 30% of people show no or partial response to standard depression medications. Murray and Penny are his family. Despite these uplifting dreams, Arthurs actual life as a loner is monotonous, repetitive, unrewarding, andmuch like the landscape of the Gotham Cityhopelessly bleak. Later, Arthur is grappling with the upsetting news that he was adopted by Penny, neglected, and beaten as a child. She tells him that all funding for Public Health Services are cut and that she will no longer be able to meet with him. Thieves. Joker. And the truth is, it is unlikely that each of us,at the individual level, can harness enough human compassion to keep everyone around us protected from harmbut we are equally guilty by actively ignoring each others pleas to be heard. Just like the Joker, these conceptualizations are fictional and are not meant to diagnose any real person. The Joker, The Dark Knight. Feeling uncomfortable and vicariously shameful, Arthurs neurological condition is triggered, and he starts laughing uncontrollably. His fantasy-building is so intense that he was able to create a credible romantic narrative between him and Sophie, a story that supported his personal dream of being lovable, funny, and charming. The Joker is a complicate d character. According to the interpersonal theory of suicide, completed suicides are strongly associated with two things: 1) a strong desire to die, and 2) the capabilityof killing oneself. Do I really look like a guy with a plan? Im not saying thats bad, or wrong. Listen to episodes from the beginning. Now lets try to dig a little deeper into the mind of the Joker. His treatments are provided at no-cost by Gotham Citys Department of Health as a state-funded service. Imagining an audience witness his suicide is exhilarating and uniquely satisfying finally, momentary relief from his pain and suffering. If you are good at something, never do it for free. What kind of meds was Joker on? But things take a turn for Arthur, and we begin to see significant changes in his behavior that align with the removal of his protective factors. He speaks his mind freely and openly. Though eventually defeated by Batman, it appears the Joker does indeed prove his point. Nicholsons Joker, for instance, delights in his ostentatious, grand acts of performative terrorism; Hamills sustains euphoric mania by increasingly pushing the boundaries of risk-taking; Ledgers Joker seems to be skilled in generating intellectual satisfaction. SPOILER ALERT | Only watch if you've seen the movie or don't mind if important parts of the plot are explained. He identifies as a killer. Again, Arthurs therapist is a key part of his potential remission. Yes, Harley starts as a young intern at Arkham (her real name is Harleen Quinzel). One out of every four of us are affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in our lives. As such, it is recommended that persons with mental health disorders are detected early and given access to effective interventions and reliable resources. Killers. Arthur buys her groceries, provides her meals, and bathes her every nightand he genuinely cares for her. He is horrific because he represents todays fears: What could be more threatening to us right now than a single, white male loner with an untreated mental illness and a loaded gun? The Joker is a villain that both fascinates and terrifies us. The Psychology of The Media. Using real methods and theory, clinical expert Dr. Andrea Letamendi examines several iconic portrayals of the Clown Prince of Crime. She co-hosts "The Arkham Sessions," a podcast dedicated to the psychology of Batman. His bizarre, slow dancing is unsettling to watch, but for Arthur, the weapon represents a physical manifestation of his deeply cherished dream, a symbol of his desire to command the attention and praise of others. This Joker is not inherently provocative. The author wishes to note to readers that this collection of psychological profiles includes some references and descriptions of both real and fictional portrayals of mass violence, intimate partner abuse, and suicide. To matter. While hes performing at the childrens hospital, Arthur is sloppy. In his fantasy, she is passive and quiet, but she is notably supportive and consoling toward him. I wouldnt know what to do with one if I caught it. We must acknowledge the darkness within us but not identify with it. The second step, however, refers to a threshold that few of us cross. Disturbing laughter is not a result of the Jokers disfigurement, self-injury, or a tactic to unsettle others; his laughter is his disease, a part of his psychiatric makeup that ultimately leads others to stigmatize him. Its the part of you that wishes you could rob a bank in a clown mask, or hurl down a public street in a semi firing off rocket launchers. His origin has remained relatively mysterious, sparking questions about how a psycho killer is created. She specializes in treating violent criminals with mental disorders, much like Joaquin Phoenixs character in Joker. Who better to talk with about the complex film, and its many themes revolving mental illness? Behaviorally, too, Arthur is odd. 2) Mental health disorders are brain-related conditions that are quite common. They died just before the night that he helped a gang of thieves from The Falcone Psychotherapy is effective because it helps us discover ways to cope with lifes challenges, process past our emotional trauma, learn to manage our relationships in healthier ways, improve how we can reduce the effects of stress, and minimize addictive behaviors. Dr. Drea is a licensed clinical psychologist and mental health educator. The classic one, revealed in the brilliant comic, The Killing Joke, is that he was a failed comic trying to make ends meet to support his life with his pregnant wife. Its why he tries to corrupt the one person whos a symbol that we dont have to be afraid of people like him. During his third killing, Arthur is not impulsive or acting in a defensive manner. He is mesmerized by his new toy and the idea that it can bring him the devotion he craves. Despite the largely held public notion that mental disorders account for gun violence, that factor only play one part in a more complex picture. We ultimately learn that Sophie is real, but their relationship is completely fabricated in Arthurs mind. Instead, he theorized that without enforced rules, humanity would revert right back to a brutish and immoral nightmare of a society one chaotic, hellish and burning. Combined with his exposure to chemicals, its the realization that life is inherently unfair and sort of comical that drives him over the edge. When you dont acknowledge the Shadow, what happens is that it breaks free, takes on a life of its won and comes back to terrorize you and shatter your illusory superiority.. Unable to express his anger and growing resentment, Arthur smiles awkwardly at his unempathetic boss, and later finds himself aggressively kicking bags of trash in the alley. His communication skills are generally poor; he may hold his gaze too long at someone, use abnormal body posturing or facial expressions, or miss important interpersonal cues, which cause others to be upset or discomforted around him. The Joker's exact origin is a mystery, barring that Batman was somehow involved. Thes In search of power and control, he begins to fantasize with the loaded gun in hand. We are not even certain the Joker knows where h His therapist, however, is distracted. Its the part of you that wants to abandon rules. First, his supervisor punishes him for being physically assaulted on the job; he directs Arthur to return the sign that his assailants used to essentially beat him. Heres what I noticed today The Joker is indeed psychopathic. Hes generally aware that he is odd, but does not quite grasp the degree to which others find him unsettling. Laughter, the external expression of joy, is therefore in misalignment with his internal state of emotions. Posted by MedFriendly at 12:59 AM. This thesis examines the Joker through various lenses. This threshold protects us from acting seriously on thoughts of self-harm. According to Jung, a person must recognize those negative impulses to maintain mental health. Penny had routinely written letters for Wayne, and to Arthurs knowledge, the Wayne family only represented Pennys employer before she became ill and was put on leave. Driven by a hatred for Batman, the Joker has devoted the rest of his life to destroying the Caped Crusader, and drive him to a similar madness that the Joker himself suffers from. In his portrayal, Phoenix delivers a unique biological basis for the Jokers maniacal laughter. Once they begin to beat him, Arthur instinctively, pulls out his gun and shoots one of them to death. I just watched The Dark Knight again this evening. In fact, Arthur is somewhat innocent and initially well-meaning toward others, especially children. Ultimately, Jokeris hard to shake off because intrinsic to the storytelling is the direct warning that we may each be contributing to our cultures mass destruction. Phoenixs Joker attends therapy, takes psychotropic medication, and follows behavioral prescriptions given by his providers. He said the Joker doesn't fall into the criteria for In an effort to explain that he is beginning to feel different and that perhaps hes found a sense of purpose that hes uncertain of, one that scares him, Arthur adds, even Ididnt know if I really existed. This may have been his confession, or perhaps a fleeting last request for help. Hobbes supported the government for fear of immoral chaos. He revealed a possible story to Dr. Harleen Quinzel in Arkham Origins and to Professor Hugo Strange in Arkham City: once he had been a failed stand-up comedian who worked night shifts at Ace Chemicals in a feeble attempt to support his sickly wife and their unborn child. You know, I just do things. In the journal, is another red flag: Arthur writes, I hope my death will make more centsthan my life. Taken together, messages of suicide, vague threats, and pornography are risk factors for targeted violence. The film cuts to a shot of him banging his head against the wall of his cell. The Plot of Joker Movie The plot that Todd presents to us for the Joker movie is more like a profound delve into the mind of a man constantly bullied by the system. Just like Arthur, people who do not seem to respond well to first-line treatments often have severe despair, chronic hopelessness, frequent environmental or family conflict, maternal depression (have a mother with clinical depression), and a history of child abuse.