The Psychology of Communication and the Media (1):
Comics and grahic novels as psychology teasers
The Psychology Sessions: Modern Trends in Psychology
Graphic novels and comics had and, still, have a huge psychological influence not only on children and teenagers, but, also, on people of all ages. Since the first mass-produced illustration, the Glasgow Looking Glass, in 1825, it was clear that comics and graphic novels could reflect in a creative and effective way current news, popular trends, personal aspirations, historical events, technological/scientific development, politics (e.g. the Cold War), interpersonal communication (e.g. human relationships), social dealings or, even, futurism and science-fiction (e.g. space travel). Further, it is important to say that they can both shape or, at least, have a certain impact on public opinion (to be fair, as long as their motives are objective). When reading a graphic novel or a comic strip, we all come face-to-face with our ambitions, dreams, fears, views and certain 'dark areas' of our personality.
Although it's not easy to realise, initially, both are powerful media tools, which can act as psychology teasers by awakening consciousness and describing human psychology (e.g. through the use of facial expressions, gestures (i.e. non-verbal communication). Many body language experts, non-verbal and interpersonal communication researchers have stated that graphic novels and comic strips are, maybe, the most interesting 'sources' to examine and study interplay, emotions and non-verbal behaviour.
Obvious emotions: Graphic novel authors use facial expressions and other design elements to express emotion, reducing the need to explain how the characters are feeling (David G. Myers, 2014).
Below are comic and graphic strips addressing basic and important themes of the Science of Psychology:
Personality Testing: Projective Tests
What story can you make up by looking at the picture?
Personality: Surface Traits
Caption: “Oh, God! Here comes little Miss perky.”
Are surface traits more important than source traits?
Analytical Psychology: Freudian Slip
Caption: "Good morning, beheaded—uh, I mean beloved.”
One of the most hilarious comic strips by the New Yorker concerning 'Freudian' slip of the tongue.
Non-verbal communication : When body language is relentless
Superman is exhausted!
Psychotherapy
Which would be the most effective psychotherapy method for the 21st century?
Density and overcrowding
Have you ever felt nervous or 'imprisoned" in a large crowd?
Technology and.... Communication Problems
Caption: The woman: "How was the book?" "Who died in the end?"
The man: "The battery".
When technology fails, miscommunication begins!!! Lol! It shouldn't have
to be like that.
Human communication is beyond technological
development. At least, used to be lol!.
Personality Psychology: Erich Fromm's 4 non-productive personality types
Are these the personality types of the new modern world?
Was Fromm
thinking of Generation Y or did he insist on the freedom of ideas?
'Know thyself' is one of the fundamental commands that aim at human strength and happiness (Erich Fromm).
The 4 non-productive personality types are (Catherine Collin, 2012):
- The receptive type: Has no choice but to accept a role and never fight for change or betterment.
- The exploitative type: is aggressive and self-centred, typically engaging in acts of coercion and plagiarism.
- The hoarding type: fights to retain possessions and is,always, seeking to acquire more.
- The marketing type: 'sells' everything, especially, its own image.
- All 4 types have both positive and negative sides.
I hope you've enjoyed the comic and graphic strips!
In my opinion, Positive Psychology can provide you with all the necessary 'equipment' in order to overcome any obstacle to personal happiness!!!!
References
Catherine Collin, Voula Grand, Nigel Benson, Merrin Lazyan, Joannah
Ginsburg and Marcus Weeks (2012), The Psychology Book: Big Ideas Simply
explained, London: Dorling Kindersley Limited.
David G. Myers and C. Nathan DeWall (2014), Psychology in everyday life, 3rd edition, New York: Worth Publishers.
Picture Sources
Daniel Cervone and Lawrence A. Pervin (2013), Personality Theory and Research, 12th edition, USA: Wiley&Sons,
David G. Myers and C. Nathan DeWall (2014), Psychology in everyday life, 3rd edition, New York: Worth Publishers,
Lee Lorenz/The New Yorker Collection/www.cartoonbank.com,
The New Yorker Collection (1983), Dana Fradon from cartoonbank.com. All Rights Reserved,
Charles Barsotti:The New Yorker Cartoons,
Off the Mark By Mark Parisi, July 20, 2015 Via +GoComics www.pinterest.com,
https://gr.pinterest.com/boulogne/snoopy-charles-schulz/.
Tim Voridis
Organisational Psychologist/Consultant - Communication and Personality Specialist
'Innovation for a brighter future'.
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