This essay is based on the fictitious character Bart Simpson from the series the Simpsons. Bart is the 10 year old son of Homer and Marge Simpson. He is the eldest of three children; he has two younger sisters Lisa and Maggie. Bart possesses many personality traits; however, this paper will analyse the trait of aggressiveness. This paper will firstly provide two behavioural examples that support Bart’s trait and then analyse this from Jung’s Neo-Freudian, Eysenck’s Biological, and Bandura’s Social-Cognitive theoretical perspectives. Finally, an overall analysis will be provided in regards to Bart’s trait of aggressiveness, this will be achieved by drawing on all of the information from each of the different perspectives.
Eysenck proposed 32 different traits which contribute to forming the two major personality dimensions (Burger, 2004). Aggressiveness is located on the extraverted dimension which sits closer to the unstable/neurotic end of the continuum. This essay will be focusing on the aggressiveness displayed by Bart. Aggression can be described as a need to overcome opposition forcefully; to fight; to belittle; blame; accuse; to be sadistic; to revenge an injury; to attack, or kill another; and to oppose forcefully or punish another (Murry, 1938; cited in Burger, 2004; Murry, 1939; cited in Mayer, 1996). Two behavioural examples, from different episodes, will be used to show that this trait is a salient in Bart’s personality. Firstly, in the episode “Bart the General”, Bart strangles Nelson Martins friend because he stole Lisa’s cup cakes. Secondly, in the episode “There is No Disgrace Like Home”, Bart first removes the safety padding from the patented aggression therapy mallet and then hits the psychologist with the metal bar. These two examples help show the salience of the trait of aggressiveness in the personality of Bart Simpson.
Section II: Theory and Application
• Section a: Neo-Freudian
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