Applying Psychology to Fight Club (Spoiler Alert)

In this movie, the narrator, AKA Tyler Durden, clearly had psychological problems. From the beginning, he had insomnia and needed to go to cancer groups to sleep. At these meetings, he truly let it go and cried. Then, Tyler set up Fight Clubs all over America. These Fight clubs in themselves represented Tyler's sadistic nature; he got pleasure from not only fighting but watching other fight. Finally, Tyler created a separate persona to act for him when setting up these Fight Clubs. Brad Pitt became his other identity. So if I were a psychologists, I would diagnose Tyler with Dissociative Identity Disorder. As a psychoanalytic therapist, I would use Freud's talking cure. I would let Tyler use free association and say whatever comes to his mind. I would also examine his dreams and try to determine his repressed memories. The therapy would be very frequent and over a long period of time.
I could also use the humanistic approach. As a humanistic therapist, I would use Carl Roger's client centered therapy. This involves active listening, which is asking guided questions and restatements. I would try to add as little as possible and act more as a guide. The whole point of this therapy is to work towards self growth.

Example of a Dialogue During Humanistic Therapy:

Me: Hello Tyler, you can start by telling me how your day was. (I have my notebook ready to take notes)

Tyler: Alright, today was another crappy day in my life. I haven't slept since our meeting three days ago. Today my boss yelled at me once again for being late. That son of a bitch tries to maintain his dominance over me in every way he can.

Me: OK, so what you're saying is that your boss acts as your superior in every way possible?

Tyler: Yeah, it's like he has nothing better to do than pick on and annoy me.

Me: So did you have any positives today?

Tyler: The only good that happened to me was that my $8000 order from IKEA arrived. I love that Swedish made furniture so much and it isn't even that great. Then my other personality showed up and ruined my happiness. He called me a weak man and that I would forever stay subservient to the white collar class even though I was an equal. He said that the IKEA furniture was an unneeded materialistic pleasure.

Me: It seems as though your other personality is acting as your alter ego. You bought to furniture to make yourself feel better, but this personality is making you feel worse.

Tyler: After I talked to Tyler I felt really angry and upset.

Me: You need to work past Tyler and all of his opinions and focus on your own growth. Ok, next week we'll work on dealing with your boss so that you can grow in a positive way.