This paper describes three particular scenes throughout The Dark Knight and elaborates on those scenes in terms of three specific psychological principles. The psychological principles discussed in this paper is Kohlberg 's theory of postconventional morality, the social trap theory, and antisocial personality disorder.
One scene that illustrates Kohlberg 's postconventional morality is Batman 's rather rough interrogation of the Joker. In this scene, Batman is interrogating the Joker in order to receive directions regarding where Harvey Dent and Rachel were (they were strapped up to chairs surrounded by bombs in different locations). Throughout the interrogation, Batman physically hurts the Joker by smashing his head into the glass windows
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The psychological principle (or disorder) that best applies to Joker 's merciless behavior is antisocial personality disorder. Antisocial personality disorder, according to Myers (2011), "is a personality disorder in which the person (usually a man) exhibits a lack of conscience for wrongdoing, even toward friends and family members." Those with antisocial personality disorder tend to lie, break laws, act impulsively, and lack regard for their own safety or the safety of others. In addition, those with antisocial personality disorder may be aggressive and ruthless or even an astute con artist. However, not all criminals have antisocial personality disorder; if a criminal exhibits a sense of responsibility or a moral compass in other areas of their life (areas of their life other than crime), then that criminal does not have antisocial personality disorder. For example, if a hardened criminal (that is in prison for armed robbery) stole money in order to provide for his family (a sense of responsibility), then that criminal does not possess antisocial personality disorder. Furthermore, those that do have antisocial personality disorder may begin to show symptoms during childhood; however, the disorder cannot be diagnosed until