Biographical Analysis of John Belushi

John Belushi’s behavior and life can be described using the psychodynamic perspective. The psychodynamic model is the oldest and most famous of the modern psychological models. Psychodynamic theorists believe that a person’s behavior is determined largely by underlying psychological forces which he or she is not consciously aware. These internal forces are described as dynamic and their interaction gives rise to behavior, thoughts, and emotions. Abnormal symptoms are viewed as the result of conflicts between these forces (Comer 2011). I felt the psychodynamic model would help to describe John Belushi’s life and behavior because there were underlying psychological forces that were causing his unusual behaviors and lifestyles.

John Belushi was a well-known comedian, but was hiding a troubling life. Belushi first began his career as a comedian in 1971 when he joined The Second City comedy group in Chicago. In 1973, Belushi began airing on The National Lampoon Radio Hour which was a half-hour comedy program played across the United States. Belushi achieved national fame for his work on Saturday Night Live. Once he turned 30, Animal House was the number one film in the United States, The Blues Brothers: Briefcase Full of Blues was the number one album, and Saturday Night Live was the highest rated late night television program. Even with all his success and fame, Belushi had a different lifestyle and behavior that was not seen by the people watching his shows (Peele 2011).

Belushi’s unusual behavior and lifestyle eventually led to his death. On March 5, 1982, he was found dead in a room in California. The cause of his death was speedball which is the combine injection of cocaine and heroin. The cause of his death was shocking news...

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Catharsis and working through are also important concepts for therapy. Psychodynamic therapists believe that patients must relive past feelings to overcome their problem in the future. To go along with catharsis, working through would be needed over many years to examine the same issues.

A plan that could have worked for Belushi would have been for him to go to a therapist to receive help. With his behavior of cocaine and heroin abuse, a few sessions with a therapist could have helped his situation out. A therapist could have interpreted his actions and seen if he was showing resistance and transference. Looking at his past dreams might have helped his therapy sessions too, and maybe he could overcome his substance abuse addictions. I believe this therapy plan would have been successful for Belushi.