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Psychopathology in a Galaxy Far, Far Away: the Use of Star Wars’ Dark Side in Teaching

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Abstract

Star Wars is well known, timeless, universal, and incorporated into shared culture. Trainees have grown up with the movies, and based on their enduring popularity, attending psychiatrists are likely to have seen them too. This article highlights psychopathology from the Dark Side of Star Wars films which can be used in teaching. These include as follows: borderline and narcissistic personality traits, psychopathy, PTSD, partner violence risk, developmental stages, and of course Oedipal conflicts.

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Acknowledgments

The authors greatly appreciate the contributions of Troy Friedman, Tom Bishop, Assad Khaishgi, and Chris Kenedi.

Disclosure

On behalf of both authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA

    Ryan C. W. Hall

  2. The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Victoria Street West, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand

    Susan Hatters Friedman

Authors
  1. Ryan C. W. Hall
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  2. Susan Hatters Friedman
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Correspondence to Susan Hatters Friedman.

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Hall, R.C.W., Friedman, S.H. Psychopathology in a Galaxy Far, Far Away: the Use of Star Wars’ Dark Side in Teaching. Acad Psychiatry 39, 726–732 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-015-0337-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-015-0337-6

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