Joe Goldberg's In-Depth Analysis from YOU - Therapist Reviews

Summary

In this video, Heather, a Registered Professional Counsellor and certified life coach, provides a deep character analysis of Joe Goldberg from Netflix's *YOU*. She explores Joe's troubling behaviors, including stalking, obsession, and violence, all stemming from his traumatic childhood and insecure attachment style. Heather delves into Joe's delusions of love, his need for control, and how his past influences his relationships and actions. The analysis touches on Joe's complex psychology, potential antisocial personality disorder, and his self-justified acts of violence. The video sets the stage for further exploration of Joe's relationships in upcoming episodes.

Takeaways

• 😀 Joe Goldberg is a bookstore manager who presents himself as harmless and charming, but is deeply obsessive and stalks the women he desires.
• 😀 Joe's stalking goes beyond physical surveillance; he also utilizes social media and the internet to collect personal information about his targets.
• 😀 Joe exhibits behaviors consistent with a delusional disorder of the erotomanic type, idealizing the women he obsesses over and fantasizing about a future with them.
• 😀 Joe’s delusions lead him to believe that he is a protector, justifying his violent actions as being in defense of the women he loves.
• 😀 His inability to understand what love truly is stems from a traumatic childhood filled with abuse and abandonment.
• 😀 Joe's past experiences, such as his mother's abandonment and his father's abuse, contribute to his complex psychology and may underpin an antisocial personality disorder.
• 😀 The abandonment Joe experienced in his childhood, especially by his mother, has a significant impact on his attachment style, fostering insecurity and a desire for control in relationships.
• 😀 Joe’s manipulation and violence are justified in his mind as acts of protection, stemming from a toxic understanding of love and duty.
• 😀 Joe's tendency to justify murder as an act of love or protection is rooted in past trauma and a distorted view of relationships.
• 😀 As an organized killer, Joe uses careful planning to evade detection, showcasing his forensically savvy approach to covering his tracks and maintaining his deceptive persona.

Q & A

What is Joe Goldberg's primary psychological issue, as highlighted in the video?

Joe Goldberg exhibits signs of a delusional disorder of erotomanic type, where he idealizes women and believes he is justified in obsessively controlling them. He also shows traits of antisocial personality disorder due to his violent and manipulative behaviors.

How does Joe's past trauma contribute to his current behavior?

Joe's childhood experiences, including abuse from his father, abandonment by his mother, and neglect, shaped his insecure attachment style and need for control. These experiences contribute to his obsessive and violent tendencies in relationships.

What role does Joe's relationship with his mother play in his actions?

Joe's relationship with his mother is central to his psychological development. Her neglect and eventual abandonment, coupled with her unhealthy behaviors, led Joe to internalize the idea that love involves control and protection, often leading him to violent extremes.

Why does Joe justify his violent actions?

Joe convinces himself that his violent actions are acts of love and protection. He often believes that those around him are in danger, and that he must take extreme measures to safeguard them, despite the harm he causes.

What is the significance of Joe's attachment style?

Joe's insecure attachment style, developed due to childhood neglect and abuse, drives him to seek control in his relationships. This attachment style explains his need for dominance and his delusional projections of love onto his romantic partners.

How does social media play a role in Joe's stalking behavior?

Social media is crucial for Joe's stalking behavior. He uses it to gather personal information about his targets, such as addresses, hobbies, and schedules, enabling him to stalk them both physically and virtually.

What psychological concept is used to explain Joe's belief that he is the 'good guy'?

Joe’s belief that he is the 'good guy' can be explained by his delusional disorder and his ability to justify violent acts as protection. He believes that his actions, however harmful, are necessary to safeguard those he loves, reflecting his distorted view of love and morality.

How does Joe’s relationship with Mr. Mooney influence his understanding of love and violence?

Mr. Mooney’s influence on Joe is pivotal in justifying violence. Through his mentorship, Joe learns that some people deserve to die and that his actions can be excused if they are framed as protective. This unhealthy understanding shapes Joe’s behavior later in life.

What role does guilt play in Joe's behavior, especially with past victims?

Guilt plays a significant role in Joe's actions, particularly when he fails to protect someone or believes he could have stopped harm. His sense of guilt further fuels his need to control and protect, justifying his violent acts to himself.

Why is Joe classified as an 'organized killer' in the Crime Classification Manual?

Joe is classified as an organized killer because he meticulously plans his murders, goes to great lengths to cover his tracks, and is forensically savvy, making him difficult to apprehend. His methodical approach and ability to manipulate his surroundings fit this classification.