Psychology and Mind Screw

To the more scientific tropers, I ahve to ask is it necessary to learn psychology to create a good mind screw? I attempted to go into psychology classes not too long ago but I pretty much fail psychology forever. I always wondered what goes into making a good mind screw story that causes the reader to come off with all sorts of wacked out theories. I wonder if some knowledge of psychology is need for this trope?

No.

Well, that is what it looks like to me. I keep seeing references to Freudian, Jungian or any other psychology theory thrown into discussion in some wiki articles on this site. I wondered if you needed to look at them to get the referneces.

Knowledge of Freud and Jung aren't required to write something confusing, methinks. I'm pretty sure you're allowed to make up your own symbolism for it to count as Mind Screw.

edited 6th Apr '11 1:15:56 PM by melloncollie

Also, Freudian psychology is completely discredited nowadays.

Not completely discredited by any means; ask any psychologist of repute and they will—perhaps reluctantly—tell you that there are elements of Freud's methods and theories preserved in their practice. The important part, however, is that they are elements. It's a bit like how modern social democracy in, say, Sweden has elements of classical Marxism: There were plenty of good ideas, but the original overarching premise is wildly out-of-date and built on as many questionable tenets as reasonable ones.

But back to the topic at hand: No, not really, just an understanding of how people think.

edited 6th Apr '11 2:14:56 PM by JHM

Questioning the nature of reality extensively is usually enough to confuse and freak people out in my experience.

Precisely. Get to know your characters—and reader—then rip the carpet out from under them, so to speak.

I'm not sure about that. I believe that he's not that discredited in all his ideas, but just the whole "everything boils down to sex". Besides, ever heard of defense mechanism? Subconciousness? Both of them are coined by Freud and not many people discredit them.

I'd say yes. Well, you don't NEED to, but it would most certainly help. James Joyce was really knowledgeable in Jungian psychology (although how he did was rather tragic...).What matters is that you must have a very good understanding of reality and cause/effects logic itself; what it is to you, how it works, how it appies to your story.

All in all, it's not a requisite but more of a frosting on a cake to know about psychology.

Oh, and my knowledge in psychology is very outdated and fractured so I might be wrong on several things I mentioned above.

Good day to you all.

Get overtly philosophical, that usually helps. Also, throw in some time-travel related shenanigans for good measure.

So actual psychology is not necessary?

How do I use philosophy without being anvilicious?

Four words. Write what you believe.

edited 7th Apr '11 12:06:07 AM by dRoy

Ic an do that. Thanks