The Psychology of the Simpsons Book Review

The Psychology of the Simpsons is part of the Psychology of Popular Culture Series put out by BenBella Books. It is also yet another in the increasingly large collection of books dedicated to examining the television show The Simpsons from a larger perspective. Much like Simpsons and Philosophy, The Psychology of the Simpsons looks at the popular animated series as a serious work of art.

The book features a variety of well written essays that consider various aspects of the Simpsons and apply psychological concepts to the show. For instance, much has been written about how the Simpsons reflects and portrays the American family from both sides of the issue. Its critics have long contended that the show has contributed to the breakdown of the traditional authority of the family unit, while others show how the dynamic of the nuclear family is the centerpiece of the show. 

The essay in The Psychology of the Simpsons comes down firmly on the side of the argument that suggests that William Bennett cannot possible be considered for the position of arbiter of American virtues since he so completely missed the point that the Simpsons does not attack the idea of the family unit, but consistently upholds it.

Another chapter looks at the effects of substance abuse. Even casual viewers know that Homer Simpson spends a lot of time at Moe’s bar, and that Barney Gumble is a recovering alcoholic. Not only does this chapter illuminate some of the psychology behind these characters, but it provides some pretty good lessons to anyone who might be dealing with substance abuse themselves, or with a friend or family member.

The book is accessible to fans of the show, but also covers the gamut of psychology. Which is to say it goes beyond Freud to consider elements of the show as they relate to such psychological schools of thought as cognitive, evolutionary, and abnormal psychology.