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  Stranger Things Psychology: Life Upside-Down

  Dawn R. Weatherford and William B. Erickson

  Monsters of the Upside Down, beware!
  Travis Langley (author of the acclaimed Batman and Psychology) returns with a group of expert contributors to explore these and other questions to shine a light on true human nature through the Netflix series and cultural phenomenon, Stranger Things.
  When do feelings of grief, guilt, depression, fear, and isolation tear us down, and how do we transform them into hope, inspiration, forgiveness, acceptance, and motivation to do what's right? Growing up is hard enough without metaphors for the dangers that lurk in life's shadows springing to life in the form of monsters, villains, conspiracies, and enemy soldiers.

  • How do we navigate friendships to unite against bullying and its many forms?
  • What happens to missing persons' families or those once lost upon their return?
  • Can games and fantasy help us connect with others and make sense of real life?

  Stranger Things Psychology: Life Upside Down descends into the dark side of adolescence to find the light on the other side of the ultimate coming-of-age story.
  Contributors: Travis Adams * Jenna Busch * Shelly Clevenger * Erin Currie * Victor Dandridge Jr. * William Blake Erickson * Andrea Frantz * Larisa A. Garski * Wind Goodfriend * Vanessa Hintz * J. Scott Jordan * Greta Kaluzeviciute * Alex Langley * Kevin Lu * Harpreet Malla * Justine Mastin * Brittani Oliver Sillas-Navarro * Leandra Parris * Billy San Juan * Janina Scarlet * William Sharp * Benjamin A. Stover * Dawn Weatherford * Eric D. Wesselmann

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  The Routledge International Handbook of Military Psychology and Mental Health

  Karen C. Kalmbach and Bret A. Moore

  Military psychology has become one of the world’s fastest-growing disciplines with ever-emerging new applications of research and development. The Routledge International Handbook of Military Psychology and Mental Health is a compendium of chapters by internationally renowned scholars in the field, bringing forth the state of the art in the theory, practice and future prospects of military psychology.

  This uniquely interdisciplinary volume deliberates upon the current issues and applications of military psychology not only within the military organization and the discipline of psychology, but also in the larger context of its role of building a better world. Split into three parts dedicated to specific themes, the first part of the book, "Military Psychology: The Roots and the Journey," provides an overview of the evolution of the discipline over the years, delving into concepts as varied as culture and cognition in the military, a perspective on the role of military psychology in future warfare and ethical issues. The second part, "Soldiering: Deployment and Beyond," considers the complexities involved in soldiering in view of the changing nature of warfare, generating a focal discourse on various aspects of military leadership, soldier resilience and post-traumatic growth in the face of extreme situations, bravery and character strengths and transitioning to civilian life. In the final section, "Making a Choice: Mental Health Issues and Prospects in the Military," the contributors focus on the challenges and practices involved in maintaining the mental health of the soldier, covering issues ranging from stress, mental health and well-being, through to suicide risk and its prevention, intervention and management strategies, moral injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.

  Incorporating enlightening contributions of eminent scholars from around the world, the volume is a comprehensive repository of current perspectives and future directions in the domain of military psychology. It will prove a valuable resource for mental health practitioners, military leaders, policy-makers and academics and students across a range of disciplines.

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  Westworld Psychology: Violent Delights

  William B. Erickson and Dawn R. Weatherford

  In Michael Crichton’s 1973 motion picture Westworld, people playing out fantasies find their lives in danger when robots built to entertain start to kill, creating an opportunity for viewers to examine an array of psychological phenomena. Today, the HBO television series reframes those questions and fears of technology gone awry in terms of twenty-first century concerns about rapidly evolving AI. The essays in this collection, edited by Travis Langley and Wind Goodfriend, explore those issues, offering fans an in-depth psychological exploration of the Westworld universe, including:

  • When do synthetic people become sentient?
  • When is artificial intelligence simply intelligence?
  • What is the appeal of live-action role playing?
  • Why does the Wild West intrigue us?
  • How far will people go in pursuit of violent delights?

  Westworld Psychology: Violent Delights takes aim at these and many other issues.

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  Star Trek Psychology: The Mental Frontier

  William B. Erickson and John Blanchar

  The next entry in Sterling's pop culture psychology series features 20 essays and an exclusive interview with Rod Roddenberry—son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. In a fun and accessible way, Star Trek Psychology delves deep into the psyches of the show’s well-known and -loved characters. The trailblazing franchise spans five TV series, 13 films, and countless novelizations. It celebrated, as no other form of entertainment had before, a world filled with space-traveling dreams and human diversity. In the process, it became one of the oldest and most popular sci-fi franchises of all time. Star Trek Psychology uses academic and scientific theories to analyze and answer such questions as Why do Trek’s aliens look so human? and How can the starship’s holodeck be used for therapy? This compilation examines alien neurobiology, discusses identity formation for shape shifters, explores the importance of emotion for artificial intelligence, and much more.

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  Supernatural Psychology: Roads Less Traveled

  Justine Mastin and William B. Erickson

  A fascinating analysis of the psychology behind the popular TV series Supernatural. Following the adventures of two brothers who investigate deeply strange and paranormal mysteries in their never-ending road trip, the TV show Supernatural has many fans eager to better understand the psychology behind the series’ themes and characters. Through 20 essays, this collection examines such issues as

  • The role grief and trauma play in the protagonists’ lives
  • The importance of music to the narrative
  • What motivates someone to hunt monsters and why we want to believe in magic
  • The various archangels and archetypes depicted
  • How people can cope with tragedy, loss, addiction, and fear to become heroes who do the right thing
  • The dynamics of fandom: how fans relate to the narrative, characters, and actors, and continue to engage with series through fanfic, social media, and other practices

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  Game of Thrones and Psychology: The Mind is Dark and Full of Terrors.

  William B. Erickson and Dawn R. Weatherford

  This thought-provoking anthology offers 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 RR Martin's bestselling work, A Song of Ice and Fire. In Martin s richly detailed world, deceit, manipulation, and greed rule the day, and almost everyone is fighting to gain ultimate power over the realm. 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 these 19 analytical essays explore along with personality disorders, post-traumatic stress, and psychopathy. Covering both the books and the show, Game of Thrones Psychology will become a fan favorite.

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  The Walking Dead Psychology: Psych of the Living Dead.

  William B. Erickson and John Blanchar

  "The Walking Dead" depicts a post apocalyptic world filled with relentless violence and death. How would such trauma affect the psyche? Nineteen fascinating essays explore the deep psychological forces that drive the show's action, from the costs of killing and survivor guilt to the consequences of nonstop stress and the struggle to find meaning in tragedy. "The Walking Dead Psychology "helps fans better grasp this compelling fictional universe.