Sta.sh
Probably the character I find most fascinating, Benny is a complicated bugger to dissect from a psychological point of view. He's not as blatant to decipher as characters like Mr. House and Boone, who have obvious mental health issues. The word I like to use for him that can basically sum up his entire character is "walking contradiction."
"Walking contradiction? But wai---- he's clear-cut on what he wants!"
Nope! In fact, I'd like to dispel two commonplace misconceptions about Benny: that he's a sociopath, and he's so narcissistic that even Narcissus would bow at his self-absorbedness.
1: Benny's a sociopath, right? Murders indiscriminately, thinks he offs a defenceless courier, swindles the Khans?
He does not fit the criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder, according to the DSM-IV-TR, aka psychopathy. In order to fit the criteria, someone who is diagnosed with ASPD needs to fullfill three of the seven criteria. Benny only fulfills one, number six: "consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations."
Psychopaths, according to the book "The Mask of Sanity" says that "the psychopath very seldom takes much advantage of what he gains and almost never works consistently towards a goal in crime or anything else, seemingly lacking purpose." This statement is in direct conflict with Benny, as he has a direct and stated goal in mind. He wants to gain, and he does not do what he does out of a lack of purpose -- in fact, quite the opposite.
Elaborate pre-meditation usually factors out sociopathy, as the sociopath usually acts upon first instinct. Sociopath is not a replacement word for murderer; many murders are extensively pre-mediated (1st degree murder) and rarely does someone go on a blind killing spree for shits, giggles or compulsions and not feel remorse. Take the BTK Killer, the DC sniper... those are sociopaths. There are sociopaths in other areas as well -- Bernie Madoff in the financial sector. Benny's target is definitely thought out and for a purpose, which would disqualify sociopathy.
2. It's obvious this guy qualifies for Narcissistic Personality Disorder. I mean, c'mon, he's more full of himself than Johnny Bravo and the Fonz put together.
Wrong again. Benny only qualifies for three of the criteria:
2. Has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
6. Is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
9. Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes
In order to be diagnosed as having NPD, an individual needs to possess at least five of the criteria.
But does that mean he's Mister Philanthropist, Mahatma Gandhi, Jesus Christ? No. He's pretty narcissistic and full of himself. But later, I will go into depth about how he acts the way he does and why he puts on those airs. Be warned: it may BLOW YOUR MIND.
