Thursday, May 5, 2011

Poor Dr. Doofenshmirtz

In the popular kids’ television show, Phineas and Ferb, the villain,

Dr. Doofenshmirtz, is always up to some evil scheme. Dr. Doofenshmirtz implicitly credits most of his evil doings to his childhood and upbringing. The audience can easily tell that Dr. Doofenshmirtz suffers from several psychological disorders that are rooted in his childhood. His relationship with his parents was not the most healthy of relationships, and he probably possesses an insecure attachment style as a result.


Attachment is very important, as was said in class. Attachment posits that the relationship a person has with his primary caregiver during the first two years of his life will affect the attachment he experiences in his relationships for the rest of his life, and will especially show itself during traumatic or serious situations. It is so important for children to receive messages of security and worthiness from their parents in order to form correct understandings about themselves and others.


Dr. Doofenshmirtz is a primary example of this theory. With an insecure attachment with his primary caregiver as a child, his current relationships suffer as a result. He does not have any close, healthy friendships and as a villain, he is always attempting to sabotage good in the world and cause pain. In addition, he suffers from many psychological disorders, showing that his insecure attachment not only affects his relationships, but also how he developed as a person.

2 comments:

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  2. O my word I love that show! I had never heard of it but my little girl got me into it. I think that show is so funny. One of my favorite characters on the show happens to be Dr. Doof. I agree with you on Dr. Doof’s attachment and how he arrived at that attachment style. However what I love about him is even though he is screwed up, he tries desperately to be a good father to his little girl. This reminded me of what we learned in class about how anxious attachment mothers who become secure attachment once they got married become the best mothers because they are extra careful to tend to the child’s every need, therefore raising a securely attached child. Dr. Doof maybe wrong in a lot of things but he is trying to break the cycle of pain in his family by doing what he can to be a good father.

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