The psychology of Oz

On this day, the 15th of August in the year of 1918 “The Wizard of Oz”, American musical fantasy film adaption of L. Frank Baum’s book, premieres at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Hollywood. The film was rich with psychological meaning.

In most undergrad psychology classes, there is a lecture on the parable of psychology told through Dorothy’s companions as they navigate through the land of Oz. The Scarecrow, Tinman and Cowardly Lion represent the clinical syndromes of low self-esteem, restricted emotional expressiveness, and anxiety.

Others compare the journey itself to represent us searching for our whole lives for something that is already there within us. Our journey and struggles are necessary before we can come home to ourselves.

Secondary Naivete is such a sexy term and when Dorothy is told to “pay no attention to the man behind that curtain,” and continues to look behind the curtain and realize that the Great Wizard is a humble man who cannot help her, this is secondary naivete. Primary naivete is what we are born with and as we experience our “Oz” we develop secondary naivete.

I find a lot of my clients enjoy learning the psychological theories and processes behind our work. This blog post was fun to reminisce back through my early education. If you or someone you know is struggling with their journey through life please consider reaching out. I have openings for new clients as I build my private practice. Click here to link to my booking site.

Learn more about me, Sandy Rollins, LCSW