Analysis Of The Episode ' Catfish ' The Tv Show '

As I was watching MTV’s popular show “Catfish: The TV Show” one afternoon, a particular episode caught my eye. The episode was about a young girl named Tracey Armah who made a fake Facebook profile to attack other users virtually in an aggressive manor. The profile was under the name Jaqueline Linkwood and Tracey the creator has used another girls’, Falesha’s, profile. “Jaqueline” eventually changed her fake profile to Felisha’s name and started to pose as her. “Jaqueline” would friend request Falesha’s friends on Facebook and would post numerous hurtful comments making Falesha’s life a living nightmare. I was curious and thought to myself about the psychology behind the insensitivity of Tracey’s behavior. Why would she pose as another girl to purposely bully people online? What was her purpose to write spiteful comments to other people? I have explored through research what the psychological concepts behind Tracey’s behavior could be and found some very interesting answers.

In the episode Tracey had confessed that her father had died right before she made the fake account (Catfish: The TV Show). The death obviously played a role in Tracey’s behavior towards others. She would degrade others using explicit language in her writing and comments. The article “Dying, Death, and Grief” describe that aggressive behavior and peer relationship problems are all normal signs of displaying a person’s anger towards a death (Dying, Death, and Grief). Tracey was hurt, however, she did not show it. Depression is linked to anger and vice, versa. “Anger can be useful, but when turned inward, is more likely referred to as depression” as the article “Hello Grief” described (Hello Grief). There are stages to grieving over a dealth and anger and depres...

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... online, but also herself. The people she bullied did not know the background of Tracey and the explanations for her actions. There is a lot of phycology that comes from Tracey’s depression and her unwillingness to cope in a different manor. Knowing her father died and knowing she was bullied helps narrow down the explanation of her actions and thinking. The episode ended with Tracey’s whereabouts after a few months from shooting the show. Tracey’s update was about how she felt immensely better about herself and no longer bullied people online or needed to, to feel better. She also mentioned that facing her problems and talking about them helped her realize what she was doing to herself and others (Catfish: The TV Show). Tracey coming to a realization about her actions is a huge learning tool that will help her in the future with any problem that presents itself.