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SUN-DAY CLASS: THE MORAL DISENGAGEMENT OF THE JOKER by
e.graham
Today, we continue our study on DARK TRIAD PERSONALITIES,
which are part of the psyche of two legendary rivals within the DC Universe,
one being BATMAN, now known as THE DARK KNIGHT, who represents LAW & ORDER
and the other being The Joker, who is associated with CHAOS.
When studying these two iconic foes, remember that they both
possess the three personalities associated with the DARK TRIAD,
which are:
1. NARCISSISM, which derives from the Greek mythology story
of Narcissus, who was a hunter who falls in love, becomes obsessed with his
reflection in a pond of water and eventually drowns. Psychologically, this
person is selfish, arrogant, lacking empathy, boastful, and sensitive to
criticism & insults. 2. Next, is MACHIAVELLIANISM, which originates from
the famous Niccolo Machiavelli, a 16th-century politician and diplomat from
Italy, who is associated with manipulation, self-interest, lack of emotion,
absence of morality, and deceit.
And, finally,3. PSYCHOPATHY, who has a antisocial behavior
that is manipulative, expresses volatility, lacks empathy, & shows little
remorse. They are also emotionally cold and impulsive, prone to taking
significant risks. (Source: SimPsy)
Along with a combination of these rare personality traits, these dark souls, which are consuming the DARK KNIGHT & THE JOKER, also practice a form of MORAL DISENGAGEMENT, which is the process by which an individual convinces him/herself that ethical standards or (What's RIGHT or WRONG) do not apply to him/herself within a particular situation or context, according to world-renowned social psychologist Albert Bandura.
Moral disengagement, in fact, can be broken down into four
categories: 1. Moral Justification, "I had to kill him. 2. DIFFUSING
RESPONSIBILITY."The Devil Made Me Do It!!" 3. NO CONSEQUENCES FOR
MISCONDUCT "It's not that serious" 4. DEHUMANIZATION OF
VICTIM-"You brought this on yourself."
Along with their moral disengagement, a person such as THE
JOKER utilizes PSYCHOLOGICAL VIOLENCE, which includes intimidation, harassment,
stalking, extreme jealousy, public ridicule, verbal abuse, physical abuse,
triangulation, gaslighting, marital infidelity, and threats of lawsuits to get
their way.
For, they love to control the narrative.
So, they humiliate, belittle, exploit, harm, and mistreat,
while plotting and planning one's downfall, which they enjoy witnessing up
close and afar. This is a result of their "my way or the highway
attitude," which intensifies with their sense of invincibility. Even, if
this philosophy, doesn't work for them.
Why? Because, their dark personality is fueled by rage and
internal anger, which, usually, ends with immature temper tantrums and
arguments. But, their sense of entitlement & idealistic viewpoint of
themselves won't allow them to listen to anybody else.
Most of the time, this is due to their detachment from
reality, which leads them to live in a fantasy world, or in an alternative
universe, where they believe in their own stardom and that they are THE
AUTHORITY OF ALL, which, oddly, leads them into having a destructive
GOD-COMPLEX.
So, they harper about their accomplishment, and their
wealth, and love to show off by having huge weddings, large parties, and big
events, where they can be seen or viewed as being important.
Even when others don't attend, refuse to acknowledge them,
and the event fails to deliver the "punch," that they predicted or
desired.
