DISCUSSION ACTIVITY 4 “PSYCHOLOGY IN EVERYDAY LIFE” OPTION 2: SHORT FILM AND DESCRIBE HOW THE MAIN CHARACTER’S ACTIONS DEMONSTRATE PSYCHOLOGICAL CONCEPTS Movie’s name: Joker Main character: Auther Fleck by Joaquin Phoenix The 2019 movie Joker, directed by Todd Phillips, is a dark psychological drama that explores the life of Arthur Fleck, a struggling, socially isolated man who eventually becomes the infamous Joker. The film portrays Arthur's descent into madness and chaos, highlighting several psychological concepts through his actions, behaviors, and experiences. JOKER’S ACTIONS DEMONSTRATE PSYCHOLOGICAL CONCEPTS 1. The Misunderstood Loner Arthur Fleck, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix in the origin story film Joker (2019), is a poor, scruffy, middle-aged man working as a party clown in Gotham, a city plagued by crime. He is extremely thin, with a gaunt, pale face, and while not physically unattractive, his unkempt and eccentric appearance makes others uncomfortable. Arthur lives with and deeply cares for his mother, Penny, but he has no other meaningful relationships. His social skills are limited; he often makes others uneasy by holding eye contact for too long, displaying odd body language, or missing important social cues. These traits make him a target for ostracism and bullying. Working as a low-paid party clown only magnifies his peculiarities, reinforcing the negative responses he receives. Arthur’s behavior and experiences create a cycle: his oddness causes people to avoid or mistreat him, which drives him to isolate himself further, exacerbating his strangeness and preventing him from improving socially. In this sense, Arthur is shaped by the interactions and rejection he faces in his environment. When we first meet Arthur, he lacks self-awareness about how others perceive him. While he recognizes that he is different, he doesn’t fully understand how unsettling others find his behavior. Paradoxically, Arthur aspires to be loved and admired, dreaming of becoming a successful stand-up comedian. He believes his life's purpose is to bring joy to others, as reflected in his vivid fantasies where his mother praises him: “You were put on this earth to spread joy and laughter,” he imagines her saying with affection. Arthur frequently fantasizes about being in the spotlight, basking in the glow of approval and applause. He envisions himself as a charismatic and respected figure, much like his idol, talkshow host Murray Franklin. In these moments, Arthur closes his eyes and dances slowly to imagined music, picturing himself as confident, powerful, and admired. However, these uplifting dreams starkly contrast with his harsh reality: a lonely, monotonous existence filled with rejection and despair, mirroring the bleakness of Gotham City itself. 2. Pathological Laughter In Joker, Joaquin Phoenix provides a distinctive interpretation of the character's infamous laughter by grounding it in a neurological condition. Arthur experiences involuntary, socially inappropriate bouts of laughter triggered by intense emotions like anxiety or shame. Laughter, the external expression of joy, is therefore in misalignment with his internal state of emotions. These episodes, which can last over a minute, grow louder and more intense, often leaving him choking, crying, or stuttering, highlighting the disconnect between his outward expression of joy and his inner emotional turmoil. The condition called Involuntary Emotional Expression Disorder (IEED), also known as pseudobulbar affect, is a genuine neurological condition marked by emotional instability and pathological laughter. This disorder involves sudden, uncontrollable, and intense episodes of laughter (or, in some cases, crying) that are disproportionate and misaligned with the person’s actual mood. These episodes can be prolonged and often lead to embarrassment and social difficulties, as individuals find it challenging to express their true emotions. Psychologically, the condition frequently results in frustration, anger outbursts, and an increased risk of developing depression. 3. “I haven’t been happy all my life” In a therapy session, Arthur asks his therapist, “Is it just me or is it getting crazier out there?” referring to the growing anger and division in Gotham’s marginalized population. His therapist calmly responds, “People are upset. These are tough times,” but her response feels formulaic and fails to address Arthur’s complex and changing mental health needs. During the session, Arthur shows his "joke diary," which includes not only jokes for his stand-up but also disturbing drawings, torn pages from pornographic magazines, and scribbled notes. The therapist overlooks alarming signs like pictures of women with their faces obscured, which may reflect Arthur’s fantasies of aggression or sadism. Another troubling entry in the journal reads, “I hope my death will make more cents than my life.” The presence of suicidal thoughts, vague threats, and pornography points to potential violence and can be seen as "pre-offense" behaviors, which are linked to future violent acts. The therapist misses a critical opportunity to engage with Arthur, better understand his anger and isolation, and help him access more effective support. “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.” The film transitions to a scene where Arthur is seen banging his head against the wall of his cell. This suggests that he might have had access to more intensive treatments, offering him some temporary relief from his emotional suffering. In a session with his therapist, he confesses, “I just don’t want to feel so bad anymore,” acknowledging his depression and his inability to escape its overwhelming weight. Clinical depression is a serious medical condition with neurobiological roots, marked by symptoms such as chronic sadness, loss of interest in life, fatigue, concentration issues, and suicidal thoughts. Like Arthur, people who struggle with treatment may experience deep despair, chronic hopelessness, constant family or environmental stress, a history of maternal depression, and past childhood abuse. Arthur's therapist plays a critical role in his potential recovery. Medication is more effective when combined with talk therapy, which helps address underlying issues contributto depression. Psychotherapy can be highly beneficial in teaching coping strategies for life’s challenges, processing emotional trauma, improving relationships, managing stress, and reducing addictive behaviors. Before turning to violence, Arthur actively tries to improve himself by following his treatment plan, attending therapy, and taking medication. He expresses frustration in his journal, stating, "The worst part about having a mental illness is that people expect you to behave as if you don’t," showing his struggle with needing help but being tired of asking. His descent into antisocial behavior and violence is partly due to the system’s failure to support him. 4. What Happens When Protectors are Removed Mental health "protectors" are factors that help us cope with stress and prevent mental illness. For Arthur, his mother is a key protective factor, providing love and purpose. He cares for her deeply, and they bond over watching the Murray Franklin show. Arthur fantasizes about being on the show, imagining Murray’s admiration, which gives him a sense of belonging and fulfillment. Both Murray and his mother represent his family and emotional support. As Arthur’s protective factors vanish, his behavior changes. After being punished for his assault at work, Arthur’s anger grows. He is given a gun by a sympathetic coworker, and while performing at the hospital, the gun accidentally discharges, leading to his firing. This marks the start of a series of losses. Arthur becomes fixated on the gun, seeing it as an extension of his identity. Arthur views the gun as a symbol of power and control, akin to a badge or microphone. As he fantasizes while holding it, he begins to associate the weapon with his desire for attention and admiration. The gun becomes a representation of his longing for recognition. His fantasies grow darker, and he even imagines using the gun in a staged suicide on the Murray Franklin show, finding momentary relief in the idea of an audience witnessing his pain. Over time, he connects public violence to feelings of fulfillment. Arthur is devastated after learning that he was adopted by Penny, neglected, and abused as a child. He also discovers that Penny had serious mental health issues and that Thomas Wayne is not his father. Feeling overwhelmed, Arthur performs a symbolic act of self-destruction by climbing into his refrigerator, as a way to suffocate himself, similar to his earlier pantomime of suicide. This signals a deepening of his self-destructive tendencies. Arthur's sense of being unwanted and his lack of social connections increase his risk of suicide. According to the interpersonal theory of suicide, completed suicides are closely linked to a strong desire to die and the capability to harm oneself. Arthur's sense of "perceived burdensomeness" – feeling useless and unvalued by society – contributes to this desire. The more Arthur experiences physical pain and suffering, the less inhibited he becomes about harming himself. Additional stressors, like losing his job, his mother, and facing humiliation from his past, further elevate his risk of suicide. Arthur attempts to express that he is beginning to feel a shift in himself, a sense of purpose that both confuses and scares him, admitting, "even I didn’t know if I really existed." This may have been his attempt to reach out for help, but his therapist is distracted and informs him that funding cuts will prevent her from continuing their sessions. This marks the end of their therapeutic relationship. Sensing Arthur's disappointment, the therapist shares her cynicism about the system, stating that the government doesn’t care about people like them. This parallels Arthur’s experience, as both he and mental health professionals are neglected in Gotham. The absence of care for those meant to provide support creates a bleak scenario for healing and recovery. One after another, Arthur’s sources of support are stripped away. By the time he receives a call to appear on the Murray Franklin show, he has already killed four people, including his mother. 5. Public Targets Recent research in targeted violence suggests that "warning behaviors" often involve an obsession with a public figure, such as violent fantasies, delusions, or personal causes. While the relationship with the figure may not be real, these behaviors should still be taken seriously. For Arthur, his fixation on the Murray Franklin quest grows stronger after his initial murders. As previously mentioned, he becomes more confident in his ability to carry out the act against his chosen target. 6. Untangling Violence and Mental Health When examining the characteristics of violent behavior, even in fictional contexts, it's important to understand the connection between violent crime and mental health. The following points can help us grasp the complexities involved: There's no single mental illness that makes someone a killer. The term "psychopath" is often misused and isn't a formal diagnosis. While mental health conditions are common, they don't typically lead to violence. In fact, people with mental illnesses are more often victims of crime. Mental health disorders are common, affecting one in four people, but less than half of violent killers have a known mental illness. Mental disorders are just one part of a more complex issue. People with mental health problems are more often victims of violence than perpetrators. Early detection and access to treatment are key. A psychiatric diagnosis alone is not enough to predict mass violence. The main triggers are access to weapons and significant personal loss. 7. Conclusion Joker is a harrowing exploration of how societal neglect, trauma, and mental illness can intersect to create a deeply fractured individual. Arthur Fleck's actions and descent into villainy reflect psychological concepts such as the effects of stigma, isolation, and systemic failures. The film raises important questions about society's role in shaping individuals and the consequences of ignoring the needs of the most vulnerable.
