-
Is Lou Bloom a White-Collar Psychopath?
Nightcrawler is a curious film that exhibits how society sometimes allows truly reprehensible acts to not only escape justice, but even be the cause of future success. The film achieves this by portraying a figure, Lou Bloom, as an awkwardly charismatic, morally and emotionally detached individual obsessed with ‘winning’ the lottery and, in the end,…
-
Why Freud Abandoned the Seduction Theory: The Truth About Trauma and Fantasy
Freud’s Seduction Theory was an early explanation of the psychogenic origins of hysteria. Developed during his investigations of hysterical patients in the 1890s and presented most explicitly in The Aetiology of Hysteria (1896), the theory proposed that hysteria could be traced to sexual experiences occurring before puberty. Freud’s claim was more specific than the modern…
-
Openness to Experience: Definition, Facets, Causes and Assessment
Openness to experience is the personality trait behind curiosity, imagination and a willingness to question what you already believe.
-
ISTJ Personality Type: Misconceptions, Traits, Relationships, Careers and Scientific Perspective
What is an ISTJ? ISTJ is one of the sixteen personality types described by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). These individuals with the ISTJ personality type tend to prefer situations and decisions which they have experienced before and usually use a logic-driven approach to predict events, problems or outcomes. Due to this, they can appear…
-
The Hero Who Couldn’t Come Home: A Clinical Reading of Nolan’s Odyssey
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is being read as a film about PTSD. A closer look suggests the wound at its center is moral injury, and that Athena, who wears the face of a girl Odysseus watched his men kill, is guilt made visible.
-
The 2026 Guide to State & Local Mental Health Helplines in California
Unlike Texas, California is anchored by a single, easy-to-remember statewide number. If you need mental health support in California, you can call or text 988 from anywhere in the state to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or reach out directly to your county’s dedicated access line below for local, ongoing care. Statewide California Helplines…
-
Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences: Types, Strengths, Weaknesses, and Educational Implications
Howard Gardner (1983) introduced the Theory of Multiple Intelligences (MI) in Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Through this radically new way of seeing intelligence, Gardner challenged the traditional view that intelligence is a single, measurable ability reflected by IQ tests. Instead, he sought to explain the wide variety of human talents observed…
-
Why Do People Become Narcissists? What Psychology Says About the Development of Narcissism
People often ask whether narcissists are born or made, whether poor parenting is to blame, or whether traumatic experiences create narcissistic personalities. The complete story, however, is more complicated than that. The Short Answer:Modern psychological research suggests that narcissism does not develop because of a single event or cause. Instead, it appears to emerge through…
-
How Light Yagami Manipulates People: His Tactics Explained
Few fictional characters are as widely regarded for their manipulative abilities as Light Yagami. Throughout Death Note, he deceives seasoned detectives, evades international law enforcement, recruits devoted followers, and orchestrates elaborate plans that unfold over months or even years. Yet describing Light as simply “manipulative” does little to explain how he achieves these outcomes. His…
-
What is Obsession About? A Psychological Interpretation of Nikki, Bear, and Attachment
Most interpretations of Obsession focus on the supernatural elements of the story. However, I believe the film’s true horror lies elsewhere. Obsession targets the age-old longing of magical cures to set our insecurities right. The film asks whether one can actually handle the responsibility of a magical cure (the wish) to insecurities surrounding relationships, without…
-
How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Works; Definition, Techniques, Benefits, and Examples
Have you ever noticed how a single thought can completely change your mood? Imagine making a mistake at work and immediately thinking, “I’m terrible at my job.” Within moments, you may feel anxious, discouraged, or even hopeless. You might avoid taking on new responsibilities. Or you could perhaps withdraw from colleagues. Some individuals could also…
-
How Trauma Transformed Light Yagami
Most discussions of Light Yagami focus on his intelligence, narcissism, or eventual god complex (read the main character analysis here). These explanations capture important aspects of his personality, but they often overlook a deeper psychological question: What experiences transformed an exceptionally capable young man into Kira? Contrary to popular belief, Light’s psychological journey is not…
Psychologus