PSY 250

Personality Article Analysis Paper

Jeremy Vigil

Instructor

Thomas Deall

July 13, 2002

Abstract

            Robert Downey JR has been in the newspapers for his drug addiction more than his acting.  He has continually faltered in the spotlight.  Everyone has tried to help him with his drug addiction but no one has targeted the root of his addiction, which I believe is depression.

Overview

            Robert Downey JR has continually popped in my head not because I admire him but because I do not understand him.  I have this overriding trait to understand everything I come across.  However, I do admire his acting ability.  How can someone with his abilities continue to make the same mistakes repeatedly?

Robert Downey Jr. has been in the spotlight since he was a child of 5 years.  He has received praise for his performances most recently for his role in the television series Alley Mcbeal.  He is a star that is burning brightly in Hollywood but the brighter the star the faster it burns out.  Robert Downey JR’s depression has caused his drug addictions.  He has been treated for his addictions but not his depression.  This has caused him to stumble many times.  He has been given many chances to change.  Obvisously punishment has not worked.  He has served close to a year in prison yet even the fear of imprisonment does not stop him from returning to drugs. 

Approach

            I believe Robert Downey JR would benefit from any approach.  The one that stands out for me is the Behavioral/social Learning approach.  He has been in the spotlight for many years.  This does have a drastic effect on people.  Hollywood personalities are eager to do drugs.  Growing up around Hollywood has made it acceptable to do drugs.  Robert Downey was given his first taste of drugs at age 6.  He has learned to replace his depression with drugs that make him happy.  I believe this behavior needs to be replaced with something positive.  Something to replace the drugs when he is feeling depressed. 

            He was diagnosed a few years ago as having bipolar disorder, more commonly known as manic depression.  Most of the news stories only mention his addiction.  They do not mention why he is turning to drugs so I can only guess. 

            He is a very popular actor.  He has fame and money yet he is depressed.  Most people do get depressed time to time but how you handle your depression is the key to getting out of depression.  Some will look to actives others look to family.  The only thing that makes him feel happy are drugs.  I can only conclude that he was not given the skills while growing up to deal with his depression.  I believe he is only imitating what he saw when he grew up.

Conclusion

            He has came close to being sober and happy.  He has a seven year old son that has given him motivation to stay sober.  I think he needs to find something to replace the drugs.  I hope that his kid will eventually be that replacement.  Although he has been to jail several times, he has not hit rock bottom.  Some people have said they will still hire him whether he is sober or not.  His celebrity status has given him the support to continue but soon that will wane too. 
References:

http://people.aol.com/people/magazine/magazinefeature/0,11369,127951-2,00.html

http://www.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Movies/04/25/robert.downey/index.html