A Psychological Analysis of the Simpsons

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Summary

ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurological disorder that is present from childhood and causes symptoms such as hyperactivity, poor impulse control, forgetfulness and distractibility. Bart Simpson, the eldest of the Simpsons’ family, displays signs of ADHD throughout the episode with symptoms like distraction, poor listening skills, flooding the school gymnasium, and talking non-stop. The mental illness is common among students and medication can help cure it if caught early. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs was illustrated in the show, and examples of psychological needs, safety and security needs, belongingness and love needs, esteem needs, cognitive needs, and the need for self-fulfillment were met by various characters throughout the episode.

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ADHD, also known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurological disorder. It is usually present from childhood and causes symptoms such as hyperactivity, poor impulse control, forgetfulness and distractibility. Bart Simpson, the eldest of the Simpsons’ family displayed signs of ADHD. His symptoms were shown though out the episode, especially in the starting. First evidence was shown when principle Skinner is telling Bart about the firefighting equipment and Bart, distractedly, asks about each of them, one after another.

He also doesn’t listen to what the principle was telling him thus displaying one of the signs of ADHD. Second evidence was when Bart floods the school gymnasium without regard for the consequences he will have to go though thus showing another sign. The third evidence is of Bart talking non-stop about anything; this is a major sign of ADHD. Lastly, the patterns shown by principle Skinner show that Bart gets distracted easily by anything around him, thus causing those around him to get lower grades. This mental illness is very common in students these days and is better if caught early as medication can help cure it.

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The id is composed of instincts that give rise to aggressive impulses and biological drives that sustain life, such as hunger and third. Homer Simpsons’ actions seem to be dominated by his id. An example of his actions being influenced by his id is when he makes taffy with the drug Focusyn in it, in order to trick Bart into taking the medication. It turns out that Marge’s loving technique works better. As Homer congratulates her for her smart technique, he unknowing takes a bite of the taffy because his id told him he was hungry.

The superego is the part of the mind that acts as a conscience, telling us what we should and should not do. Marge Simpsons’ actions seem to be influenced by her superego. An example of her superego controlling her actions is when she has to consider twice before agreeing to give Bart the drug which would help him focus. She seems worried about the drug not being needed to help Bart. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs was illustrated all throughout the show. An example of psychological needs being met is when Homer pulls out a beer and drinks it thus satisfying his thirst.

An example o f the safety and security needs being met are when Marge finds out all the information about the drug Focusyn before giving it to her son, thus helping her gain a better knowledge and understanding about it. An example of belongingness and love needs being met is when to feel accepted, Nelson joins the conversation about having to use something for a problem each child had. This helped him feel like he belonged. An example of esteem needs being met is when Bart writes a note for Marge before dinner thanking her for giving them healthy meals every day.

This helped her feel recognized and respected for the work she did. An example of cognitive needs being met is when Marge goes to the lab to know how the drug works before giving it to Bart. It showed her understanding of its use. An example of cognitive needs being met is when on the first day of taking the drug, Bart feels the need to straighten up. That showed his need of things being in order being accomplished. Lastly an example of the need for self-fulfillment is being met when Bart tutors another kid. That shows Bart using his skill of understanding the content to help others.

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