| Title | : | Star Wars Psychology: Dark Side of the Mind |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1454917369 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781454917366 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 320 |
| Publication | : | First published October 6, 2015 |
Star Wars Psychology: Dark Side of the Mind Reviews
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Reviewed at The BiblioSanctum
http://bibliosanctum.com/2015/11/11/r...
I know this is quite a departure from my usual reads, but for this book I clearly had to make an exception. Even though I hardly get the chance to read nonfiction anymore these days, when it comes to anything even remotely Star Wars related, I can’t help it, I just have to check it out.
Interestingly, and perhaps appropriate to my situation, Star Wars Psychology: Dark Side of the Mind seeks to examine the phenomenon that is Star Wars and explore what it is about this beloved franchise that appeals to millions of rabidly obsessed fans everywhere—by looking at it from a psychological perspective. We’ve all heard how George Lucas was influenced heavily by Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces and his concept of the monomyth, or “The Hero’s Journey”, which shaped early drafts of the first Star Wars movie. Using frequent references to classical motifs and archetypes drawn from Jungian analytical psychology, this collection of essays offers insights into why and how the Star Wars saga has managed to touch us all on a deeper level.
Written by a team of doctors, experts, and mega fans, Star Wars Psychology dissects the themes and topics of the movies while relating them back to scientific and social concepts. Many of the articles also use Star Wars to illustrate examples of psychological and sociological theory. This book is sure to appeal to people who love Star Wars and/or psychology buffs. While some of the theses proposed by some of these essays are those I’ve heard before or are obvious, others might make you see Star Wars in a whole new light.
From the dichotomy of good versus evil (the light side/Jedi Code versus the dark side/Sith Code) to discussions on what makes good people do bad things (Lando Calrissian and his fateful decision to betray Han Solo and the gang), Star Wars Psychology explores how elements in Star Wars relate to mental health, as well as how human beings think and feel. There is even an enthralling piece on the phenomenon of phantom limbs and speculation what multiple amputations at the end of Episode III would have done to Darth Vader’s brain.
Personally though, I was most fascinated by the chapters dealing with the “social side” of Star Wars, such as gender psychology or exploring the characters as role models. And even though this is nonfiction, some of the essay topics also relate back to speculative fiction, acknowledging that we create and enjoy fantasy worlds and stories as a way to ask probing questions about our own existence. Take the matter of droids, for example. Do C-3PO and R2-D2 have feelings? If so, to what extent? The matter is complicated by the fact we still don’t know enough about cognitive processes and human emotions to answer these questions once and for all. Think of all the sci-fi books you’ve read dealing with AIs and personhood, and how much psychology ends up being discussed in those stories.
I’m also impressed that we don’t look at just the movies. Many of the contributors reach into other media to make their points, citing Star Wars games, TV shows, books of the old Expanded Universe, and even in one case the soundtrack score featuring the inspiring music of John Williams. There are lots of other informational tidbits shown in textboxes, embedded in the chapters all throughout this book; here you might find little known details (my favorite was the little factoid about the Mark of Altruism from the now defunct Star Wars Galaxies MMO – how I miss that game) or more specific explanations into the theories and concepts within the field of Psychology.
Most would probably look at this book and categorize it as “pop psych”, a well-researched and professionally written book of essays intended to be devoured by the legions of Star Wars geeks everywhere, especially as the world prepares for the arrival of Star Wars: The Force Awakens this December. Nonetheless, it is an absorbing read, examining the ideas and core values of why we love Star Wars, encouraging us think about the movies and characters in new and unpredictable ways. There’s something for everyone in this fun and fascinating volume, a good addition to any Star Wars fan’s bookshelf. -
Hold onto your helmets, Star Wars fans, and sheath your light sabers! This book takes you to the interior galaxies of the psyche. Drawing from diverse fields of psychology, it examines the inner mindscape of characters and probes into deep underlying motivations for their beliefs and actions. Reading this book gave me better insight into why Anakin Skywalker was seduced by the dark side of the Force, why Obi Wan Kenobi and Yoda were unable to hold the Jedi together under the assault of the Empire, why Luke Skywalker held true to his loyalties above all else and found courage to believe in Darth Vader's inner goodness, how Princess Leia found her strength and grew into a fearless leader, and the real heroism of Han Solo's character despite his apparent selfishness. Through examples the book examines definitions of good and evil; grief, loss and masculinity; moral dilemmas such as Lando Calrissian faced; Darth Vader being more motivated by fear than evil; and the huge impact the psychology of Star War's music has on viewers.
To me, the Star Wars saga is the myth of our modern times. It's wide impact and devoted followers attest to the archetypal power of this story. We see the universal roles recognized in every culture, and follow Luke as he undertakes the classic Hero's Journey to overcome struggles and limitations, find his true self, and return a changed leader of his people. Leia undergoes her own Heroine's Journey, a parallel quest for self-actualization, giving added potency to the story. This book is profound and speaks to the soul of aficianados. It will give much added depth when you next watch these perennial classic movies. -
Star Wars Psychology is a book outside of my normal reading selections, but once in a while I like to try something different ;-). I of course grew up a Star Wars fan given how nerdy my parents are and am loving the new wave of Star Wars fandom. I also really enjoy pop science non-fiction from time to time, so I thought this one could be fun. It didn't quite work for me, but fans who want to also learn a bit about psychology will probably enjoy it!
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"The great lesson of Star Wars may be this: There is never just one hope. Hope in Star Wars,w hile ostensibly about grand events on a galactic scale, requires hope for the individual person. It's about believing a person can find a light, however deep it may be, in the dark side."
This short paragraph perfectly explains why I love this saga so much. I definitely recommend this book to any Star Wars fan as it explores the psychological depth of the story and characters we love so much. -
Full review can be found on The Bearded Trio:
http://www.thebeardedtrio.com/2015/11... -
A decent collection of articles and conversation starters over the psychological depths of Star Wars.
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As a psychology major and a big Star Wars fan, I feel like this book was made for me! It was an enjoyable read, and I love how creatively the psychology concepts were applied to the movies. I was drawn in right away. Even with a variety of authors and ideas, it still felt cohesive. It’s third section was definitely its weakest for me but the other sections each had a lot of fun things to say and new perspectives to use. Some of the gender politics felt a little outdated, and there were quite a few more errors than I am used to seeing in books. The person in charge of proofreading didn’t do the best job, but other than that, I am happy to have read this book.
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Good examples and connections from Star Wars to psychology theories and authors. References included for each chapter. Grounded enough to use for teaching an academic course.
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Okay, confession time. I'm a total nerd when it comes to Star Wars. It is a fun series you know I had to read this one. I
often read the blog posts about various theories about plot points within this world and some of them are quite imaginative. Yea, I told you I was a nerd. ;)
This is really a both a psychology book that takes parts of Star Wars to explain theories, and plot points and characterization that is explained through psychology. So, if you like to understand a bit more about the human mind in a more entertaining way this book is for you.
While I enjoyed the interplay of Star Wars and psychological theories, I also found myself arguing various points with the authors. Yes, there are various authors but the way it was edited it flows like it had one author. As for the points argued, it was mostly based on what I understand of the psychological theories rather than the plot or characterization of the Star Wars universe.
So, I give this book 3 stars. I recommend it to those that want an entertaining way to learn psychology (this would make a fun and excellent HS or college course) and those total Star Wars nerds like me trying to fill in the gap until the newest movie comes out. :) -
I watched the 7 films of Star Wars for the first time, ever, over this past winter break. With an undergrad degree in Psychology and a professional job working with and helping others, my immediate thoughts went to the masculinity issues faced by Anakin, and the psychology of the light and dark side from all angles. I went out the day after seeing "The Force Awakens" and bought this book to see exactly what professionals had to say on the topic. While it does not include material from the newest movie, it does have an extensive reach on the psychological implications of so many elements of the first six that I believe this book is worth it.
If at any point in time during the series you thought "Why did they do that?" or "I wonder what they were thinking about" I would highly recommend that you pick up this book to check out. Well worth the $16 I paid for it, and it provided decent sized chapters for multiple nights of reading, or binge-reading consumption. -
This is a fantastic book for Star Wars fans and people who want to learn about psychology. It is fascinating how the various experts look at ways that Star Wars characters are connected to real psychology and what we can learn from them in our own lives as well. There is also a look at myth archetypes and hero's journey connections, which is a favorite subject of mine. I went to see author Travis Langley at a Con but he had to cancel; later, we connected on-line though and he signed a book for my daughter who is headed off to college to study psychology (great gift for a psych major and Star Wars fan!). I recommend this book for everyone, because everyone should learn more about why we behave the way we do, and what we can do about it, and more about Star Wars of course!
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This is a compilation of writings by mega Star Wars fans who also happen to be professional psychologists. It's an illuminating look at the different aspects of all the underlying themes and messages that make Star Wars one of the great modern myths. It would be great for any parent who is raising a young Jedi, or as a companion piece for a high school aged class for kids with behavioral issues using sci-if and fantasy as a fun and instructive way to handle some of those issues. If you're serious about why Star Wars matters, check this book out.
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This book is getting a permanant place on my shelf. I'm a psychology major so a lot of the concepts were pretty basic to me, but I imagine that to a newcomer, this would be absolutely fascinating. I would have Devoured this book before university.
As it was, I only had a few spots that I had minor quibbles with, tbh I don't even remember what they were and I think they were more related to concepts like heteronormativity, more than any of the actual constructs being discussed. I especially liked the chapter on the score and the ending of the book left me with a surprising feeling of hope, and maybe some sadness it was over. Nostalgia for something certainly.
Anyways I would definitely recommend it. -
I got this on a whim. I normally do not really like psychology books as too many authors write what is to me convoluted, confusing and/or annoying babble. This is well written, at least for a non-psychology major. It had lots of citations that I could look up and reference. It linked things to stuff I know and understand. Yes, I am an admitted Star Wars fan. I am also a fan of Joseph Campbell. These essays all refer to things that I like, but they do so in a way that is not condescending and better yet, explain things in ways that my old college professor could not. I literally could not put it down after I started reading. I took notes. I went online afterwards and hunted down the references. And then. I actually ordered a couple of them.
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Good not-too-poppy pop psych exploration of Star Wars characters and relationships, particularly, of course, the relationships between various Skywalker fathers and sons. This book was released before The Force Awakens, which is too bad - I'd love to see some clinicans peck away at Kylo Ren's big crazy coconut. Has some sloppy copy editing mistakes typical of books from publishing houses like this one - they crop up in the latter third of the text, i.e. the proofreader got bored and sloppy. The highlight is the essay by Don F. Glut about writing the novelization of The Empire Strikes Back, which isn't really about psychology at all!
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An enjoyable collection of essays using psychological theories to analize aspects of the OT and ST films (mostly the OT). This felt a bit drier than books analyzing pop culture phenomenons through a philosophical lens, but overall, if you're interested in the topic, I think it's worth the read.
(Thank goodness this came out before Disney's ST!) -
Star Wars and psychology was the main reason, why I bought it. The esseys are dicided into several topics addressing various themes in Star Wars and putting them into psychological frame of daily life.
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If my soul was a book, I think it would look something like this 😂 Two of my biggest passions in life: psychology and Star Wars (or pop culture in general) rolled into one! I am so happy I picked this book up when I went to the Star Wars: Identities exhibit, it made my little nerdy heart sing.
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Such a fun read! This was like taking every Intro to Psych concept and showing how they present themselves in the Star Wars plot lines and characters of the first six movies. Thank you Minto for this lovely gift :))
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An excellent book, that looks inside the minds of Darth Vader, Princess Leia, Palpatine, and all the others. If you are a fan of Star Wars, I recommend it highly!
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2.5 ⭐️
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An often interesting collection of essays, explains the Jungian background of Star Wars Episodes I-VI
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Since I’ve wrapped my undergrad, I��ve been itching to get back into the reading game—and I have a bookshelf full of (mostly) Star Wars books to prove it.
I got Star Wars Psychology with a gift certificate from Singing Pebble Books I won in an auction. At first, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to spend the gift certificate on because the bookstore seemed to be more focused on spirituality, health, and healing—but when I saw this book, it was like a match made in heaven.
First things first: if you’re looking for a book to escape from the world, don’t pick this up. Part of the reason why this took me so long to finish was because I needed to stop and reflect on what I’d read—it’s a psychology book, after all.
That being said, I absolutely loved it. Star Wars Psychology is filled with thought-provoking essays all analyzing the Star Wars universe through a psychological lens. Some standouts for me were “A Distressing Damsel: Leia’s Heroic Journey” by Mara Wood, “Lando’s Choice: Anatomy of a Moral Dilemma” by Jay Scarlet, “Shooting, Striking, Returning: The Universes in Our Heads” by Donald F. Glut and Travis Langley, “A Symphony of Psychology: The Music of Star Wars” by Jim Davies and Joe Kraemer, and “Droids, Minds, and Why We Care” by Jim Davies.
When I read these essays, I felt myself challenging my previously held beliefs about characters and situations—particularly with Jim Davies’s droid essay. Reading books like this one about something you hold so dear helps you think more critically about the thing you adore and in turn, gives you a greater appreciation for the storytelling behind each facet of the whole.
This book also helped me reflect on why I’m so invested in this universe and why so many people connect to this space opera. The science behind each mental and emotional element is absolutely fascinating and makes me think more critically about the choices we make outside the ones the Star Wars characters make.
It’s a belief-challenging wild ride from beginning to end that I cannot recommend enough, especially for Star Wars fans.
Plus, it was nice reading Star Wars essays written by Jim Davies—my former prof! -
More of a 3.5 rounded up, but I'm a psychiatrist and had fairly high expectations :) It was well written (with exception of numerous grammatical errors), and drew from a variety of theories. My favorite section dealt with the complexity of characters as not merely good or bad, which is one of my favorite aspects of the Star Wars universe in general. Overall, quite a fun read. Enjoyable for those in the mental health field and laypersons alike.
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Very enjoyable, but disappointed that there were several typographical errors.
