Which Personality Disorders Do Your Favorite Actors Have?

Psychology Today ^ | January 20, 2018 | Susan Krauss Whitbourne Ph.D.

[EdnaMode]

People choose professions for many reasons, not the least of which is their ability, and some of which is the luck of being at the right place at the right time.

[snip]

With this as a background, University College of London psychologists Mark Davison and Adrian Furnham (2018) decided to dig into a question that you’ve probably had many times, especially if you follow celebrity news sites. Are all actors narcissists?

[snip]

Taking a look now at the results, perhaps not surprisingly, actors scored higher on the so-called “Cluster B” personality disorder traits of Narcissistic, Histrionic, and Borderline. However, their scores were also higher on the Antisocial and Schizotypal (eccentricity) scales and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (concern for order and perfection). Men were higher on scales measuring Dependent Personality and Avoidant Personality Disorder. Unlike studies measuring personality disorder traits in other populations, there were no significant correlations with actual (albeit self-rated) abilities.

Interpreting these findings, the authors note that the expected high narcissism scores of actors supports the idea that it takes a somewhat inflated sense of self to be able to put on a good impression (such as when auditioning for a role) and to cope with the constant rejection actors face when they don’t land a part. The high Borderline scores may reflect the desirability in acting of being able to “access the extremes of emotion” (p. 41) which, in turn, allows actors to be able to cry on cue more effectively. Furthermore, the identity instability of people high on borderline traits may also fit with the actor’s need to resolve identity concerns by taking on the qualities of other people. High scores on the Histrionic scale may, similarly, be expected given the “penchant for the dramatic” among those pursing acting careers (p. 41).

[dfwgator]

Loved Goblin!!!!!!! Probably my all-time favorite.

Just finished “Because This Is My First Life”, which was also great.

Now I’m watching one called “Five Children”, I’d been meaning to watch it for awhile, but I normally didn’t want to watch any with more than 16 episodes, but so far, I love it. It’s funny and touching in other parts.

[redhead]

Is picking fights with the bad guys and always winning a character trait?

[fieldmarshaldj]

Willem Dafoe was great playing Washington Compost fake Conservative Jennifer Rubin in "Wild at Heart."

[LegendHasIt]

I’m more interested in what personality disorders these psychiatrists and psychologists have, especially the ones who ‘diagnose’ without actually examining their subjects.

[IWontSubmit]

[Impy]

My eyes!!!! Why DJ, why? I thought we were friends. ;-D

[Nevadan]

Haven’t watched any, but give some recommendations please.

[Old Yeller]

They all have delusions of grandeur.

[dfwgator]

These would be some of my picks:

My Love From The Star
The Master’s Sun
A Gentleman’s Dignity
Fated To Love You
Descendants Of The Sun
Goblin
W : Two Worlds
Because This Is My First Life
Legend of the Blue Sea
Please Come Back Mister

That should be enough to get you started.

[Nevadan]

Thanks

[fieldmarshaldj]

Ain’t the resemblance uncanny ?

[exDemMom]

The only current actors/actresses I care about these days are the Korean ones I watch in KDramas.

When I visited Korea for a month just over a year ago, one of the tour guides was absolutely gushing over Kdramas. She said that they are so good, that once you start watching, you will never stop.

I haven't had time, but maybe one day, I'll be able to try watching one. Maybe I'll even study Korean.

[Reily]

I have seen some of their mistral dramas and they’re very good!

[Bonemaker]

“Which Personality Disorders Do Your Favorite Actors Have?”

Nymphomaniac.

[Fiddlstix]

Bookmark

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I am not sure if John Malkovich is crazy or not.

He wanted to shoot Robert Fisk and George Galloway.

So he has that going for him.

[EdnaMode]

LOL. Nailed it. :D

[caww]

‘All have dissociative ‘identity’ disorders in one form or another....they just choose to call it an “Art Form”.....

[Daffynition]

Who has *favorite* actors with this crop?

All my faves are pushing up daisies.

[caww]

Hollywood is all about 'exhibitionism' now.....how much skin they show... or what skin they cut off....upstairs and down.... There is no talent in stars today ..which is why they keep hauling out the old stars and do so many remakes.