Author: Janina Scarlet

Dr. Janina Scarlet, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, a professor, and a (mad?) scientist. For more information, see the "Meet The Doctor" page

The Psychology of Black Canary (Laurel Lance)

I initially wrote this post for The Mary Sue for the Psychology of Inspirational Women panel. I’m reposting it here with permission.

The Background:

Black Canary is the alter ego of Dinah Laurel Lance, and was one of the first DC female superheroes, along with Wonder Woman. Black Canary’s initial name in DC comics was Dinah Drake, and in the later series the Black Canary was based on two separate people – mother (Dinah Drake) and daughter (Dinah Laurel Lance). In the comics Black Canary temporarily worked with the Justice League and also with Oracle (formerly, Batgirl).

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Psychology of Buffy the Vampire Slayer

I initially wrote this post for The Mary Sue’s Column, Psychology of Inspirational Women, it is reprinted here with permission.

Going against the Hollywood stereotype of a powerless blonde girl getting ruthlessly murdered, the writer/director/producer of Buffy the Vampire Slayer wanted to create a hero, someone with the special powers to kick butt and protect others.

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Clark Kent: Superman’s Humble Hero

(Guest post by Asher Johnson, M. A.)

Ever since I was a child, I was strangely attracted to the way the good guys thought. I saw them as smart, self-controlled, kind, patient, and wise. I thought it was naturally harder to do the right thing, and found it fascinating how easily taken for granted heroes were. Now, to put things in perspective, I will need to age myself because the good guys I grew up watching are, in many ways, unlike the anti-heroes of today (e.g. Jax from Sons of Anarchy, Nurse Jackie, Walter White, Tony Soprano, or Kevin Spacey’s brilliant role as Francis Underwood).

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How X-Men helped me overcome PTSD

“What wouldn’t I give to be normal!”

(Mystique, ‘X-Men First Class’)

I grew up on fiction. It was brain food to me. I generally preferred to read books to just about any other activity. Over the past few years I’ve been incorporating fictional characters into Superhero Therapy. For me these characters hold a deep and personal meaning, after all, some of them actually helped me recover from my own traumatic history.

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Psychology of The Hunger Games

“My name is Katniss Everdeen.

Why am I not dead?

I should be dead.”

Katniss Everdeen, the Girl on Fire, who volunteers to take her sister’s place in the monstrous Hunger Games, is a hero and a legend. After going through some of the most horrific events imaginable, Katniss attempts to end her own life. What caused her to try to commit suicide? Does Katniss suffer from a mental health disorder? What stops her from dying and what gives her a reason to live?

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Walking Dead Psychology

The Walking Dead series tell a story about survival in a post-apocalyptic world after the spread of a deadly virus that turns the dead into flesh-eating zombies (or walkers). The TV series and comic books center around Rick Grimes, the main protagonist of the series, as well as other members of his group.

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The one where I face my fears… also, flying cat

Most people are afraid of something, whether it’s a fear of public speaking, fear of flying, or fear of insects. In the video below I explore common phobias, face my own fears, take on a flying cat.

Psychology of Arrow

I’ve received a lot of requests to do a post on CW’s Arrow. Being that it’s one of my favorite currently running shows, I’m happy to do it. Both the show and the Green Arrow comics do a wonderful job at demonstrating the psychological processes that this superhero experiences.

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Psychology behind “The Imitation Game”

“Sometimes it is the people who no one imagines anything of who do the things that no one can imagine.”

The Imitation Game, a film based on a true story and starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley has already been nominated for 8 Oscar awards. What is it that makes this film so moving and unforgettable?

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