Exploring the Link Between Psychopathology and Famous Personalities

Pick someone from the list in whose functioning you are interested

This brief model is designed to assist you in complying.

1. Pick someone from the list in whose functioning you are interested, probably first because you care about what he or she has done to become famous (or infamous), and then because you have a suspicion that the person is a little different than most folks in psychological functioning.  The person's notoriety might derive from positive accomplishments (e.g., in the arts or sciences, in heroism, etc.) or from more questionable actions (e.g., crimes, outrageous public behavior, etc.).

2. Explore the person's life through any readily available resources, e.g., responsible periodicals, tabloids (i.e., questionably reliable sources), biographies and autobiographies (another suspect source), histories, etc.  As you read, frequently ask yourself the question, "Does this stuff suggest the presence of some form of psychopathology in this person?"  Recur to the different sections of the DSM-5 as possible diagnoses suggest themselves to you, especially if you are not yet very familiar with its nosology.  At this point you are not necessarily seeking a conclusive answer, but are simply looking for useful hypotheses that might help in explaining the person's conduct.

3. Sooner or later develop a "resolution" which affirms that the person you are studying has one or more mental disorders, or conditions resembling mental disorders, which might be the focus of treatment, and which assist in explaining some aspect of the person's behavior.  The resolution may be of a form such as the following:  

a. While his accomplishments were great and his public demeanor exemplary, the reported private life of Charles Lindbergh suggests that he had a serious personality disorder marked by narcissistic features.
 

b. Much of Rosie O'Donnell's professional success stems from her efforts to compensate for a chronic state of depression, perhaps complicated by a histrionic personality.

c.Pete Rose's problems off the athletic field derive from a narcissistic personality disorder borne of his early life experiences coupled with his consistent athletic success.

d.Donald Duck's irascibility and frequent callous disregard for the rights of others derive most directly from his long-standing efforts to compensate for an incurable language disorder.

You will note that each of these resolutions identifies specific behaviors to be explained and suggests the possible explanation.  Each also hints at contexts in which these explanations will be more needed, or at the etiological roots of the difficulty.  You may also arrive at several positive diagnoses in your resolution. O. J. Simpson's difficulties, for example, might derive both from a narcissistic personality disorder and cocaine abuse or dependence.

4. Decide whether you wish to support or refute the resolution you have generated.

1.Did you introduce the reader comprehensively to the target person’s developmental history so far as it is knowable?

2.Did you adequately describe the target person’s relevant behavior, cognition, and affective expression over the life span? 

3.Did you adequately, logically, and concretely develop and articulate a “resolution” or working hypothesis concerning the target person’s
possible psychopathology?

4.Did you adequately and concretely support or refute the resolution or working hypothesis you have generated?

5.Did you demonstrate adequate knowledge and use of course content in writing your paper?

6.Did you write your entire paper in clear English sentences, organized and unified by the purpose of your writing (i.e., to develop and either support or refute your working hypothesis)?

7.Did you attach a complete and adequate references section identifying all the works cited in the body of the paper in correct APA format, and does your entire paper comply with APA format?