Verified by Psychology Today

Beyond Heroes and Villains

Investigating the nature of good guys and bad guys in fiction and real life

Guilt
The Spider, the Bat, and Heroic Varieties of Survivor Guilt

Travis Langley Ph.D. on September 7, 2022

Guilt and grief drive heroes in different ways. One may strive to become a person who could have prevented their tragedy while another mires in guilt that he did not stop his.

Guilt and grief drive heroes in different ways. One may strive to become a person who could have prevented their tragedy while another mires in guilt that he did not stop his.

Neuroplasticity
Has Lockdown Life Evoked the Sensation of Jamais Vu?

Travis Langley Ph.D. on June 20, 2022

Lockdown life altered experiences throughout periods of masking or isolation, and may have lingering effects by producing feelings of jamais vu in which everything feels "off."

Lockdown life altered experiences throughout periods of masking or isolation, and may have lingering effects by producing feelings of jamais vu in which everything feels "off."

Sexual Orientation
Wonder Woman: A Superhero's Sexual Orientation

Travis Langley Ph.D. on June 17, 2022

Wonder Woman embodies positive psychology's character strengths and virtues. Lynda Carter call the character a gay icon. Cognitive dissonance may explain why some fans object.

Wonder Woman embodies positive psychology's character strengths and virtues. Lynda Carter call the character a gay icon. Cognitive dissonance may explain why some fans object.

Personality
Batman, the Riddler, and Borderline Personality Disorder

Travis Langley Ph.D. on March 13, 2022

In the film "Batman Forever" and now in "The Batman," the Riddler shows signs of borderline personality disorder. In the current film, Bruce Wayne may show some signs, too.

In the film "Batman Forever" and now in "The Batman," the Riddler shows signs of borderline personality disorder. In the current film, Bruce Wayne may show some signs, too.

Bias
The Faulty Heuristics of Holocaust Denial

Travis Langley Ph.D. on November 19, 2021

Mental shortcuts may mislead Holocaust doubters and deniers. The availability heuristic could cause some to overlook evidence of deaths by overgeneralizing survival accounts.

Mental shortcuts may mislead Holocaust doubters and deniers. The availability heuristic could cause some to overlook evidence of deaths by overgeneralizing survival accounts.

Suicide
"Yoda Saved My Life": Breaking a Cycle of Suicidal Ideation

Travis Langley Ph.D. on May 25, 2021

From Superman to Star Wars, heroic examples from fantastical fiction—whether through a character's persistence or something they simply said—sometimes help alter suicide thoughts.

From Superman to Star Wars, heroic examples from fantastical fiction—whether through a character's persistence or something they simply said—sometimes help alter suicide thoughts.

Psychology
The Misunderstood Science of Psychology

Travis Langley Ph.D. on May 22, 2021

Too many people do not know what psychology is, may find the field frightening, and can feel daunted by the perceived judgment by psychological professionals.

Too many people do not know what psychology is, may find the field frightening, and can feel daunted by the perceived judgment by psychological professionals.

Play
Who Watches Pro Wrestling and Why? What Prize Do They Win?

Travis Langley Ph.D. on April 19, 2021

Why do people become fans of professional wrestling even though the spectacle is known to be staged? What purpose does such media consumption serve? Did Freud, Jung, or Adler know?

Why do people become fans of professional wrestling even though the spectacle is known to be staged? What purpose does such media consumption serve? Did Freud, Jung, or Adler know?

Media
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: Which Therapy Is That?

Travis Langley Ph.D. on March 26, 2021

"The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" TV series shows a therapist both confront her client and assign him to make AA-style amends to others. Does that fit any real therapy style?

"The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" TV series shows a therapist both confront her client and assign him to make AA-style amends to others. Does that fit any real therapy style?

Grief
WandaVision: Complicated Grief Causes Life Complications

Travis Langley Ph.D. on February 16, 2021

In the series WandaVision, one character's suffering alters her world and the lives of others in ways that reflect the denial, escape, and fantasy of grief in real life.

In the series WandaVision, one character's suffering alters her world and the lives of others in ways that reflect the denial, escape, and fantasy of grief in real life.

Grief
Grieving and Grief Counseling in (and for) the Year We Lost

Travis Langley Ph.D. on January 1, 2021

Grief counseling can already present monumental difficulties. A panel of grief and loss therapists describe the changes and challenges helping mourners in days of social distance.

Grief counseling can already present monumental difficulties. A panel of grief and loss therapists describe the changes and challenges helping mourners in days of social distance.