It goes without saying that it is impossible to deny that the development of any human’s personality is not chaotic, and despite its uniqueness, it follows particular principles of formation and is affected by multiple factors. In general, personality may be regarded as the individual’s dynamic organization on the basis of psychophysical systems determining behavior, characteristics, and thoughts. In other words, it is a blend of features that make every person unique. At the same time, numerous scientists struggle to understand what impacts the personality and its development.
From a personal perspective, psychoanalysis may be regarded as the most suitable theory of personality for the explanation of its evaluation. Supported by Freud, Adler, Jung, Rank, and other sociologists, psychoanalysis has developed from a therapeutic method to a complex framework used for the explanation of warfare, religion, literature, mythology, and other arts (Hossain, 2017). Despite the fact that the majority of personality theorists of the 20th century did not take into consideration cultural peculiarities, psychoanalysis remains a highly reliable theory which significance is determined by the existence of common features, attitudes, and reactions in people regardless of their culture, ethnicity, or race (Schultz & Schultz, 2017).
Psychoanalysis may be applied for the explanation of Joker’s personality and its development as well. The theory includes the concepts of inferiority, parent’s influence on the child’s development, isolation and loneliness, and anxiety related to unmet needs (Schultz & Schultz, 2017). Arthur Fleck was raised in an incomplete family, and his mother’s condition inevitably had an impact on his mental health. He had high expectations, calling himself “an undiscovered comedic genius” (Phillips et al., 2019). However, being subsequently rejected by society and feeling lonely, he developed serious psychological disorders in unconscious attempts to meet commonly accepted standards.
Hossain, M. (2017). Psychoanalytic theory used in English literature: A descriptive study. Global Journal of Human Social Science, 17(1), 1-7. Web.
Phillips, T., Cooper, B., Koskoff, E. T. (Producers), & Phillips, T. (Director). (2019). Joker [Motion picture]. United States: Warner Bros. Pictures.
Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2017). Theories of personality (11th ed.). Cengage Learning.