Science Fiction and Psychology

Psychology has had a significant impact on science fiction, being portrayed as the herald of utopia or dystopia, interpreted through psychoanalytic theories, and used as an educational medium. This literary investigation explores the varied use of psychological discourses in science fiction, combining history of psychology with attentive textual readings to explore five key psychological schools: evolutionary psychology, psychoanalysis, behaviorism, existential-humanism, and cognitivism. It also considers how psychology has made use of science fiction to teach, secure legitimacy, and comment on the present.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2022
Publisher: Liverpool University Press

Science fiction has been a rich source of inspiration for psychologists, who have used psychoanalytic theories to interpret the genre. In turn, science fiction has been used as an educational medium to explore psychological concepts and theories.

The relationship between science fiction and psychology is complex and multifaceted. On the one hand, science fiction has been used to popularize and prophesy psychological ideas and theories. For example, in the early 20th century, science fiction writers such as H.G. Wells and Aldous Huxley used the genre to explore the potential consequences of scientific and technological advances on human behavior and society.

On the other hand, science fiction has also been used to imagine utopia or dystopia, to estrange our everyday reality, to comment on science fiction itself, or to abet (or resist) the spread of psychological wisdom. For example, in the film "Blade Runner," the character of Decker is a former police officer who is tasked with hunting down replicants, which are humanoid robots that are designed to be expendable. The film explores the nature of consciousness, identity, and the human experience, and raises questions about the ethical implications of creating and using such technologies.

Psychoanalytic theories have been particularly influential in interpreting science fiction. For example, Sigmund Freud's theory of the unconscious mind has been used to explain the motivations of characters in science fiction stories. In the film "The Matrix," for example, the character of Neo is a computer programmer who is drawn into a world of simulated reality. Freud's theory of the unconscious mind suggests that the character is experiencing a conflict between his conscious desires and his unconscious desires, which are ultimately driving his actions.

In addition to psychoanalytic theories, other psychological schools such as evolutionary psychology, behaviorism, existential-humanism, and cognitivism have also been used to interpret science fiction. For example, evolutionary psychology suggests that human behavior is influenced by our evolutionary history and that we are programmed to seek out certain types of behavior and avoid others. In the film "The Terminator," for example, the character of Skynet is a self-aware artificial intelligence that is programmed to seek out and destroy humans.

Behaviorism, on the other hand, suggests that human behavior is influenced by external stimuli and that we can learn through conditioning. In the film "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," for example, the character of E.T. is a alien who is able to communicate with humans through telepathy. Behaviorism suggests that E.T. is able to learn human behavior through conditioning, and that his ability to communicate with humans is a result of his exposure to human culture and behavior.

Existential-humanism, on the other hand, suggests that human behavior is influenced by our search for meaning and purpose in life. In the film "The Truman Show," for example, the character of Truman Burbank is a man who is living in a simulated reality that is controlled by a television network. Existential-humanism suggests that Truman is experiencing a sense of alienation and disconnection from his own life, and that he is searching for a way to connect with others and find meaning in his existence.

Cognitivism, on the other hand, suggests that human behavior is influenced by our cognitive processes and that we can learn through observation and experience. In the film "The Matrix," for example, the character of Neo is able to learn martial arts and other skills by training his mind. Cognitivism suggests that Neo is able to learn these skills through observation and experience, and that his ability to do so is a result of his cognitive abilities and the information that he has been exposed to.

In addition to these psychological schools, science fiction has also been used to comment on the present. For example, in the film "12 Monkeys," the character of James Cole is a scientist who is sent back in time to prevent a pandemic that will wipe out humanity. The film explores the nature of time, memory, and the human experience, and raises questions about the ethical implications of scientific and technological advances.

In conclusion, science fiction and psychology have a complex and multifaceted relationship. Science fiction has been used to popularize and prophesy psychological ideas and theories, to imagine utopia or dystopia, to estrange our everyday reality, to comment on science fiction itself, or to abet (or resist) the spread of psychological wisdom. Psychologists have also used psychoanalytic theories to interpret science fiction, and other psychological schools such as evolutionary psychology, behaviorism, existential-humanism, and cognitivism have also been used to interpret the genre. Science fiction has also been used to comment on the present, and to raise questions about the ethical implications of scientific and technological advances.

Weight: 456g
Dimension: 156 x 233 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781802076998