Benders abnormal Pych Diagnosis "long"

[on:]

 Disclaimer, I am in General psych "Pych 101" so any pros who want to pick on this feel free, consider the VERY amatuer source.     

 This is not a fanfic.

 My Pych teacher insisted we all do an abnormal psych diagnosis of a popular movie or TV character, I wanted to do Branagh's Hamlet. She would not approve of that, but thought Bender was perfectly ok.       

 So here is what I turn in tomrrow. Feedback anyone?

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Abnormal psych diagnosis for patient "Bender"

Bender is a four year old bending unit presently employed with the New New York shipping company
"Planet Express"

 Bender was court ordered to undergo psychological examination as part of a conditional release required for probation after several charges of breaking an entering and petty theft.

 As an AI Bender is a difficult diagnosis not being "human" in the strictest sense of the term. Yet Bender displays several very  human problems, in exaggerated, almost "comic" levels.   

 I will attempt to quantify them below using standard texts and diagnosis.

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 Bender Shows a profound  Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)

A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

   1. has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)

 Bender repeatedly claims that it is Destiny to ""Rule the world" and to "kill all humans".  The fact that he never acts upon this, or any other threat of violent action suggests he is not violent, but is simply attempting to draw attention to himself to help bolster his occasionally  failing sense of superiority.   

   2. is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

 Bender often engages in spontaneous public singing, most often consisting of the "tuneless" repeat of the same line repeated over and over.   "Bender is great, Bender is Great"  he will sing this endlessly "with great enjoyment and gusto" when walking or indulging in any non directly communication related activities.

   3. believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)

   Bender has a fixation on certain celebrities. Although only robot or alien celebrities.
 
 "possible internalized inferiority feelings caused by not being human?"

  Benders strongest celebrity fixation is robot actor "Calculon"  who he has attempted to impress, and gain the confidence of, by  fraud, fictitious claims to previous acquaintance, and  "stalking behavior" necessitating the issuing of a restraining order.

  Also his secondary celebrity fixation, the well known television Chief "Elzar".  Attempts to harass Elzar have also caused retraining orders to be placed after Bender had to be ejected from both Elzar's restaurant, and from the studio audience of his cooking show.
   
   4. requires excessive admiration

 Bender once insisted that his friends hold his  funeral BEFORE he died so he could "Be properly appreciated"  When the "mourners" failed to grieve to what he considered to be the deserved level of his "loss" he became upset and violent, destroying furniture and decorations. (the casket) " "although not attempting to physically harm the people present" 

   5. has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations

  Bender sees his lack of money and material goods to be the fault of others. Therefore any property of ANY person is his by right, the owners are denying him access to "his" property.  Bender talks about stealing a great deal, but as he sees most property as his, its debatable whether he really grasps the concept "steal" .

   6. is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends

 Bender uses virtually everyone he comes in contact with, even his self declared "idols" Bender attempts to amplify his sense of self importance through his "largely imaginary" friendships with these idols.

  Once Bender went as far as to steal the blood of his one human friend.

   7. lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others

 Bender finds the tragedies of others to be intensely comic and seems to have little understanding that others even have feelings, let alone the concept of empathy 

   8. is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her

 Once, when his human friend "Fry" had lost his nose, Bender did not see it as a traumatic mutilation, but that Fry had done it to become more "Bender Like".   

  9. shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

 Bender is practically the definition of arrogance, His sense of self importance has to be re-enforced  repeatedly in day to day life. And any who deny it are assumed "by Bender" to  be either enemies, idiots, or jealous.
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 I would not declare Bender a true "sociopath" as he has shown some dedication to his few friends, he will help them in life threatening situations, in his work with Planet Express he has put his "life" at risk to save coworkers  "although he does demand very high levels of praise, and financial renumeration if he can get it"

  He has shown some feeling for his coworkers in times of crisis although he will deny any sort of  feelings on the matter if pressed for details.

 Bender is not presently a threat to his safety or the safety of others, and is gainfully employed, and self supporting. He can interact socially in a work enviroment with CLOSE supervision, and peer feedback.   

 Suggestions are regular therapy, and examination of software for possible correction of corrupted, or non-functional code.   

Diagnosis:

DSM-IV
Narcissistic Personality Disorder  301.81                                                                                                 
 
Examiner: D*** W***


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[Reply #1 on:]

Hmm, what about the time when he smashed a window using Fry when there was a perfectly good door?  That would show to me that he is both a danger to others and sociopathic.
Other than that good report. 

[Reply #2 on:]

 

Originally posted by davierocks:
Hmm, what about the time when he smashed a window using Fry when there was a perfectly good door?  That would show to me that he is both a danger to others and sociopathic.
Other than that good report.   

 Which epp?   I don't know how I missed that.

[Reply #3 on:]

Leelas Homeworld when they are running from the mutants.

[Reply #4 on:]

that's awesome. I would love to see your take on some of the other characters.

[Reply #5 on:]

 

Originally posted by Venus:
that's awesome. I would love to see your take on some of the other characters.

 Maybe spring break, right now I'm trying to do three  psych assignments in one day,   and that took three hours..... 

 I'm glad the coffee house has wireless.......

[Reply #6 on:]

 

Originally posted by Invader_Tak:
My Pych teacher insisted we all do an abnormal psych diagnosis of a popular movie or TV character, I wanted to do Branagh's Hamlet. She would not approve of that, but thought Bender was perfectly ok.

::Slaps her::

 

Bender has a fixation on certain celebrities. Although only robot or alien celebrities.

Umm, Harlem Globetrotters, anyone?

 

Originally posted by davierocks:
Hmm, what about the time when he smashed a window using Fry when there was a perfectly good door?

Or when he dangled Fry from the Statue of Liberty?  Or the fact that  he has "a lot of ransom notes to send" (Futurestock).  Or that he enjoys blackmail/extortion, or that he has no problem with murder? (AoI 1)  Did you mention his kleptomania?  I don't feel like going back and checking.  He also threw the professor at some old lady whose purse he found (How Hermes), and mugged Hattie on XMas.

[Reply #7 on:]

 THe Globetrotters are from the Globetrotter homeworld, alien enough for me.

 And  notice you never see Bender actually KILL anyone?

 And I mentioned his stealing in detail. 

 Its not meant to be serious, its meant to be a grade in bonehead psych. Take it for what it is, silly psychobabble fluff. 

 Oh well, it wasnt meant to be a be all end all on the topic of Benders issues. "I never even touched addictive personlity"

Its just meant to be enough  enough bullshit to humor the teacher and at least get a B. 

 And she has only seen "a few episodes" she will be an easier audience.

 "most poeple don't know futurama like we do"

[Reply #8 on:]

Great stuff, Invader_Tak.   

One thing though:

 

3. believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)

Bender has a fixation on certain celebrities. Although only robot or alien celebrities.

"possible internalized inferiority feelings caused by not being human?"

Benders strongest celebrity fixation is robot actor "Calculon" who he has attempted to impress, and gain the confidence of, by fraud, fictitious claims to previous acquaintance, and "stalking behavior" necessitating the issuing of a restraining order.

Also his secondary celebrity fixation, the well known television Chief "Elzar". Attempts to harass Elzar have also caused retraining orders to be placed after Bender had to be ejected from both Elzar's restaurant, and from the studio audience of his cooking show.

What about his fixation on Beck?

[Reply #9 on:]

I didn't include Beck as it was a one shot thing, He wasnt into beck till he met him and never mentioned him again after the epp.

  He also started treating Beck Like HIS backup, and  that HE was the star.   

 I don't think he would have done that with Calculon, or Elzar. 

[Reply #10 on:]

Invader Tak, great job.  Your report is great and certainly going to earn you an A in Bonehead Psych (I wish they offered that at my school, hmmmm...)  I just have to say though that I disagree with the narcissistic personality disorder label for Bender, in general... I think he's just chronically depressed and self-medicates to an exagerrated degree, combined with a naturally outgoing personality and great sense of showmanship.  He did meet Fry in a suicide booth after all, and Fry is his only friend.  Some robot Prozac will fix him up in no time! 

[Reply #11 on:]

i wish my psych class had had interesting assignments like that. The coolest thing i had to do in psych class was eat a mealworm.

[Reply #12 on:]

 

Originally posted by Invader_Tak:
  4. requires excessive admiration

Bender once insisted that his friends hold his funeral BEFORE he died so he could "Be properly appreciated" When the "mourners" failed to grieve to what he considered to be the deserved level of his "loss" he became upset and violent, destroying furniture and decorations. (the casket) " "although not attempting to physically harm the people present"

It looks pretty good, except that (in my recollection) Bender didn't insist that the funeral was held for him, it was a surprise funeral. 

Other than that... I wish we could have done something that good in beginner Psych... All we got to do was analyze research articles, incredibly dry stuff, too.  It certainly is an interesting read, though. I would be interested in reading your take on other characters (if you get around to it).

[Reply #13 on:]

 

Originally posted by Ranadok:
It looks pretty good, except that (in my recollection) Bender didn't insist that the funeral was held for him, it was a surprise funeral. 
"snip"
It certainly is an interesting read, though. I would be interested in reading your take on other characters (if you get around to it).

 It hasnt been submitted yet, I'll be up doing homework most of tonight, but I will amend that.

 As to doing more, I'm flattered, I can't say as I expected more than one "or any" requests for an encore, but perhaps after schools out as I'm very pressed for time.  Thank you for the imput!

[Reply #14 on:]

 

Originally posted by davierocks:
Hmm, what about the time when he smashed a window using Fry when there was a perfectly good door?  That would show to me that he is both a danger to others and sociopathic.
Other than that good report.   

heh classic, and then Fry gets him back in Jurassic Bark....

[Reply #15 on:]

good job, even if i did only read about half of it. 

i would like to see some of the other characters, particularly leela.

[Reply #16 on:]

 

Originally posted by Invader_Tak:
 And  notice you never see Bender actually KILL anyone?

AoI 1.

[Reply #17 on:]

 

Originally posted by Nixorbo:
 AoI 1.

 Which didn't really happen.   

[Reply #18 on:]

He killed loads of people in Godfellas, but that isn't really applicable...

[Reply #19 on:]

Good report.  You might want to mention his compassion for turtles in "Crimes of the Hot," but that might not be appropriate.

When did Bender make "fictitious claims to previous acquaintance" with Calculon?  The only time I can recall Bender saying he had met Calculon before was in "That's Lobstertainment," and that was true--they met in "The Honking."  Calculon does seem to have the same affliction as Mr. Burns and Krusty in not being able to remember certain main characters, though.

[Reply #20 on:]

Very good, interesting stuff there Invader_Tak. Sounds like much more fun then the stuff I get up to at school.

[Reply #21 on:]

 

Originally posted by Invader_Tak:
Which didn't really happen.

Why should that matter, if it's just a piece of fluff?

It's said that our fantasies show us for what we are.

On that note, you could throw in AoI 2, and show how he lives a life of excess, and doesn't know how to moderate.  Self control of zero, etc.

[Reply #22 on:]

   

Originally posted by Nixorbo:
 Why should that matter, if it's just a piece of fluff?

 You are the one keeping the debate alive, get a life and drop it.
 
 Or simply close the thread. as a moderator it is certainly your perogitive.

[Reply #23 on:]

Please don't invoke the wrath of Nix! It's not pretty, and I have the scares to prove it.

Nice analises of Bender. Can you do Zoidberg next time you do another one? He seems to have many, many issues.

[Reply #24 on:]

 I know, Nixorbo is about as impartial as George Bush Junior. I just won't indulge him anymore.

 I've had requests for more but I really need to get through finals first. 

 I'm too old for this................

[Reply #25 on:]

The best part is you're taking me seriously.

What I mean to say is, since we're talking about people like they can't read what you're saying,

That Invader Tak is so crazy, asking for feedback and then getting all annoyed and defensive when it's given to him.  What's the deal with that?  He apparently isn't familiar with the term "academic exercise," either.

[Reply #26 on:]

my mum goes to uni and does phycology[sp?] she said it was pretty interesting

[Reply #27 on:]

 

Originally posted by Nixorbo:
That Invader Tak is so crazy, asking for feedback and then getting all annoyed and defensive when it's given to him.  What's the deal with that?  He apparently isn't familiar with the term "academic exercise," either.

That Nixorbo is so crazy, using masculine pronouns to refer to Invader Tak when she's obviously female.  He apparently isn't familiar with those little gender symbols that appear underneath everyone's avatars.

[Reply #28 on:]

All I can say is: absolutely beautiful.  It's informative, witty, but still professionally written, and that's part of the "nod, nod, wink, wink" appeal.  I think it's pretty accurate, too.  Bender is about the textbook example of narcissism.  One suspects he is perhaps modeled on real people...

I give it an A.

[Reply #29 on:]

I just want to say: I like the recommendation to examine his programming for bad code... it made me laugh.

[Reply #30 on:]

Very interesting.

I have one comment though. Some of your sentences are really long (and contain a lot of bracketed sentences within) like this and you use a lot of "inverted commas" when they are not needed, which makes the sentences slightly harder to read and therefore have less flow. That's just a nitpick though, it's all good. I'm sure it'll look better word processed.

[Reply #31 on:]

Nice report, it's got some interesting points about Bender summed up in a nice, neat bundle. I hope when I start doing Psychology properlyI get to do something like that.   

[Reply #32 on:]

I liked your report it was very interesting. I wish when I was in psyc 101 that we got to do something neat like that.

[Reply #33 on:]

   

Originally posted by David A:
 That Nixorbo is so crazy, using masculine pronouns to refer to Invader Tak when she's obviously female.

 Hes baiting me, its cute to watch, but I won't give him the satisfaction.      
 


 As to him disregarding my gender flag I suspect he is referring to my personal confession in
 http://www.peelified.com/cgi-bin/Futurama/12-000935/ 

 It tends to trigger that sort of bias in petty and small minded people. "shrugs" no shock, its about what I expected.

[Reply #34 on:]

 

Originally posted by boxie:
Very interesting.

I have one comment though. Some of your sentences are really long (and contain a lot of bracketed sentences within) like this and you use a lot of "inverted commas" when they are not needed, which makes the sentences slightly harder to read and therefore have less flow. That's just a nitpick though, it's all good. I'm sure it'll look better word processed.

 I never had English comp and it shows, I droped out in eigth grade and took my GED in 1983, and I missed the classes that TEACH you to write, and my present school didn't make me take them. "I'm a Jewelry student"

 The sad part is that was word processed. 

I'm not using a great word processor, ABI Word leaves somthing to be desired. I need to find something better that isn't office.

 Thanks for the feedback, its appreciated. BTW the teacher loved it, most everyone else turned in a few paragraphs, I was the only one who  gave her a case study. 

[Reply #35 on:]

 

Originally posted by Invader_Tak:
    BTW the teacher loved it, most everyone else turned in a few paragraphs, I was the only one who  gave her a case study.   

Futurama has involving, exaggerated characters.  It's probably much easier to write a long report about Bender than trying to write one about someone like Ross from Friends. 

Nice report, it's a fun read.

[Reply #36 on:]

I wish I could include Futurama in my schoolwork; th closest I've got is putting the Alien language and some thumbnail pictures of Morbo and Zoidberg at the bottom of a space report I did for physics.

Great report - it was readable, and pretty accurate. Is there any way that you can link his diagnosis with other famous personalities? That would be interesting.

[Reply #37 on:]

Hey wow, that's the first time I've checked that thread since I posted in it, in August or something.

Either that or I don't bother to look at gender icons, or really pay close attention to most people.

And I work with a transsexual, what's your point?

I love people who see personal attacks in everything.  They're just so much ... easier.

[Reply #38 on:]

 

Originally posted by Nixorbo:

I love people who see personal attacks in everything.  They're just so much ... easier.

 And I love people who don't know wht "let it drop" means, yet feel superior for chewing the bones.

 Just let it go. Really, just change the subject, ok?

[Reply #39 on:]

Mmm, bones.  Sweet, sweet marrow.  They make Jell-o out of it, I believe.