“These fumes aren’t as fun as beer. Sure, I’m all dizzy and nauseous, but where’s the inflated sense of self-esteem?”

—B. GUMBLE

“I pity the fool who derives his self-esteem from mocking other people’s clothes.”

—MR. T (guest spot)

Many facets of psychology are explored and lampooned mercilessly on The Simpsons. Psychiatrists and psychologists are often featured prominently and are shown delivering all kinds of help, some of it wanted, but much of it neither wanted nor useful. There is shock therapy (“There’s No Disgrace Like Home”), spank therapy (“Hurricane Neddy”), in-depth psychoanalysis of Marge’s childhood trauma (“Fear of Flying”) and even the involvement of the entire family (“Family Therapy”). Characteristically, Homer is often only interested in himself (“Did you talk about me today?”) and rails against therapy (“It breaks up families, turns wives against husbands, children against parents, neighbors against me.”), even interrupting it to inquire about payment and a sliding scale (“Keep sliding.”).

In addition to poking fun at the profession and therapy in particular, The Simpsons also uses psychology in a more subtle way to spotlight characters and their interpersonal relationships. Within any family, and between each family member and the outside world, psychological concepts arise continually. When the Simpson family members are the characters on this stage of everyday human social relations, bringing these concepts to life, our laughs are not only about the stories and situations, but also about seeing ourselves in the reflection. Usually, the psychological concepts are portrayed with insight,  …