This thought-provoking anthology offers fans a close examination of the psychology behind the intricate narrative and compelling characters in the popular HBO TV series, Game of Thrones, based upon author George R.R. Martin's bestselling work A Song of Ice and Fire. With no moral boundaries honored, the psychological games played by the series' conniving protagonists are seemingly limitless. War, murder, violence, and rape are only a few of the weighty issues explored in these 19 analytical essays--along with personality disorders, post-traumatic stress, and psychopathy. Game of Thrones Psychology will become a fan favorite.

It is common knowledge that the television series Game of Thrones and revenge go together well, but whether Game of Thrones and feminism are compatible is debatable, to say the least. This book shows how the series’ female characters in particular utilise revenge to acquire autonomy, fight objectification, and pursue equality. On the one hand, they do so by mirroring the female characters of English Renaissance Revenge Tragedies. On the other, prevailing feminist ideas of the 21st century are also incorporated. The resulting tension between models from the Renaissance and current feminist impulses allows for an interpretation of Game of Thrones as a contemporary, feminist version of a Revenge Tragedy. Thus, this book discusses gender, equality, and representation, problematising the heteronormative, binary perspective so commonly given on the series. As such, the book is for everyone interested in popular culture and its influences and developments, both fans and critics of the show, feminists, and those who aspire to educate themselves.

Game of Thrones was an international sensation, and has been looked at from many different angles. But to date there has been little research into its audiences: who they were, how they engaged with and responded to it. This book presents the findings of a major international research project that garnered more than 10,000 responses to an innovative 'qualiquantitative' questionnaire. Among its findings are: a new way of understanding the place and role of favourite characters in audiences’ responses; new insights into the role of fantasy in encouraging thinking about our own world; and an account of two combined emotions – relish and anguish – which structure audiences’ reactions to controversial elements in the series.

How do people stay true to themselves in times of crisis? Where does anyone find the strength to stand up in the face of oppression? When will the worst side of human nature wither before the best? Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale has captivated readers for four decades and continues to stir popular conversation and controversy through the hit Hulu television series. The story has grown into a cautionary tale evoking fear and concern, and yet it also inspires many. The Handmaid’s Tale Psychology: Seeing Off Red delves into the psychology of the characters and events depicted in each version of Atwood’s epic, both in print and on screen. Through 18 chapters, psychologists and therapists look deeply into the fiction, analyzing it both personally and professionally to unearth its message about real human truths. Topics include oppression, resistance, power, identity, violence, posttraumatic stress versus posttraumatic growth, good versus evil, morality versus mortality, spirituality versus religion, helplessness versus hopefulness, and more.

This thoughtful book brings together some of the best psychological and spiritual thinkers to ponder evidence-based reflections about the development and nurturance of compassion. In an effort to alter behavior, scientists have conducted research to better understand the factors that contribute to both caring and cruel behavior among individuals and groups. This uplifting volume reviews evidence collected from experts across disciplines and explains how certain psychological, spiritual, and religious factors spur compassion and deter cruelty. The work extols the importance of religion and psychology as tools for better understanding and influencing behavior. With deep reflection combined with research-based insights, the book considers the various avenues for creating kinder human beings. Expert contributors examine empirical evidence to learn if engagement in particular activities results in benevolent behavior, while chapters present the many ways in which kindness touches all aspects of life—from racial harmony, to child rearing, to work environments. Topics include exploring the healing effects of prayers and meditation, integrating compassion into higher education, and parenting with greater mindfulness and care.

Psychology and Pop Culture: An Empirical Adventure examines the psychological aspects of pop culture preferences, personality, and behavior from across sixteen research studies. The authors analyze such phenomena as superhero and antihero fandoms, internet trolls, women in popular culture, generational preferences, and romance and sexuality. Analyzing pop culture in the context of the #MeToo movement, LGBTQIA+ representation, and contemporary politics, Keith W. Beard, April Fugett, and Britani Black pay close attention to contemporary issues of inclusion and marginalization.

Recent years have seen an explosion of interest in the use of computerized text analysis methods to address basic psychological questions. This comprehensive handbook brings together leading language analysis scholars to present foundational concepts and methods for investigating human thought, feeling, and behavior using language. Contributors work toward integrating psychological science and theory with natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning. Ethical issues in working with natural language data sets are discussed in depth. The volume showcases NLP-driven techniques and applications in areas including interpersonal relationships, personality, morality, deception, social biases, political psychology, psychopathology, and public health.