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Doctor Who Psychology (2nd Edition): Times Change
How does an immortal deal with death?
What can an ancient Time Lord teach us about real human nature?
Why does the Doctor say he and Freud "got on very well"?
How do the Daleks and Cybermen reflect concerns about losing our humanity?
And what new challenges loom ahead when the Doctor regenerates as a woman?
Hailed as the "most successful sci-fi series ever made" (Guinness World Records), Doctor Who has been a cult-classic for more than half a century. And though time may not be the boss—Rule 408—as times change, so too do social norms and psychological challenges, which have paved the way for a new kind of Doctor who can appeal to the modern viewer.
Revised and updated for our changing times, the second edition of Doctor Who Times Change explores the alien in us all. Travis Langley's fascinating in-depth collection delves into the psychology behind the time-traveling Doctor in his many iterations—as men and women—as well as his companions and his foes. With a foreword by Third Doctor Companion Katy Manning , new introduction for the second edition, new chapters,and new interviews with actors who have played Doctors new and old, Doctor Who Times Change travels through the how and why of Who.
Peter Davison (Fifth Doctor), Sylvester McCoy (Sixth Doctor), Christopher Eccleston (Ninth Doctor), David Tennant (Tenth, Fourteenth Doctors), Matt Smith (Eleventh Doctor), Peter Capaldi (Twelfth Doctor), Jodie Whittaker (Thirteenth Doctor), Michelle Gomez (Missy, the Master), Alex Kingston (River Song).
Contributors to the second edition
Jenna Busch * Erin Currie * Jim Davies * Kristin Erickson * Wind Goodfriend * Daniel Hand * David Kyle Johnson * Billy San Juan * Deirdre Kelly * Alan Kistler * Travis Langley * Katy Manning * Justine Mastin * Matt Munson * Miranda Pollock * Stephen Prescott * Sarita Robinson * Aaron Sagers * Daniel Saunders * Janina Scarlet * William Sharp
What can an ancient Time Lord teach us about real human nature?
Why does the Doctor say he and Freud "got on very well"?
How do the Daleks and Cybermen reflect concerns about losing our humanity?
And what new challenges loom ahead when the Doctor regenerates as a woman?
Hailed as the "most successful sci-fi series ever made" (Guinness World Records), Doctor Who has been a cult-classic for more than half a century. And though time may not be the boss—Rule 408—as times change, so too do social norms and psychological challenges, which have paved the way for a new kind of Doctor who can appeal to the modern viewer.
Revised and updated for our changing times, the second edition of Doctor Who Times Change explores the alien in us all. Travis Langley's fascinating in-depth collection delves into the psychology behind the time-traveling Doctor in his many iterations—as men and women—as well as his companions and his foes. With a foreword by Third Doctor Companion Katy Manning , new introduction for the second edition, new chapters,and new interviews with actors who have played Doctors new and old, Doctor Who Times Change travels through the how and why of Who.
Peter Davison (Fifth Doctor), Sylvester McCoy (Sixth Doctor), Christopher Eccleston (Ninth Doctor), David Tennant (Tenth, Fourteenth Doctors), Matt Smith (Eleventh Doctor), Peter Capaldi (Twelfth Doctor), Jodie Whittaker (Thirteenth Doctor), Michelle Gomez (Missy, the Master), Alex Kingston (River Song).
Contributors to the second edition
Jenna Busch * Erin Currie * Jim Davies * Kristin Erickson * Wind Goodfriend * Daniel Hand * David Kyle Johnson * Billy San Juan * Deirdre Kelly * Alan Kistler * Travis Langley * Katy Manning * Justine Mastin * Matt Munson * Miranda Pollock * Stephen Prescott * Sarita Robinson * Aaron Sagers * Daniel Saunders * Janina Scarlet * William Sharp
- GenresPsychology
392 pages, Hardcover
Published November 7, 2023
4 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Travis Langley
20 books123 followersDr. Travis Langley, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Henderson State University, is best-known as the author of the acclaimed book BATMAN AND PSYCHOLOGY: A DARK AND STORMY KNIGHT. He is also editor and lead writer for the Popular Culture Psychology series of 12 books looking at the psychology of characters and stories such as THE WALKING DEAD PSYCHOLOGY: PSYCH OF THE LIVING DEAD, CAPTAIN AMERICA VS. IRON MAN: FREEDOM, SECURITY, PSYCHOLOGY, and most recently THE JOKER PSYCHOLOGY: EVIL CLOWNS AND THE WOMEN WHO LOVE THEM. PsychologyToday.com features his blog, “Beyond Heroes and Villains.” A popular speaker internationally, he has given talks at universities and has led or joined hundreds of convention panels (especially at Wizard World shows) and on the Comic Con-Fusion YouTube channel. He also happened to be an undefeated champion on the Wheel of Fortune game show. As Stan Lee described him, “This man is a genius!”
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 4, 2023
This updated edition will be published November 7, 2023. Turner Publishing Company provided an early galley for review.
I managed to make it through my college years without taking a single pyschology courses (my liberal arts credits mostly went towards literature and creative writing electives). Needless to say, what drew me to this book was mostly the intellectual property angle of Doctor Who, a show I've watched since the late 1970's.
Turns out, this was a fun way to look at the various aspects of the mind and human behavior through the use of familiar characters and story lines. Each of the essays/chapters are well written by very qualified professionals from the field of psychology. The exerpts from interviews with cast members also are enlightening. I enjoyed the analysis on the Weeping Angels as well as the Briggs-Myers scoring for each of the Doctors.
For those who like both psychology and Doctor Who, this will definitely be a must-read
I managed to make it through my college years without taking a single pyschology courses (my liberal arts credits mostly went towards literature and creative writing electives). Needless to say, what drew me to this book was mostly the intellectual property angle of Doctor Who, a show I've watched since the late 1970's.
Turns out, this was a fun way to look at the various aspects of the mind and human behavior through the use of familiar characters and story lines. Each of the essays/chapters are well written by very qualified professionals from the field of psychology. The exerpts from interviews with cast members also are enlightening. I enjoyed the analysis on the Weeping Angels as well as the Briggs-Myers scoring for each of the Doctors.
For those who like both psychology and Doctor Who, this will definitely be a must-read
November 22, 2023
Doctor Who Psychology is an interesting text that bridges the gap between pop culture and the science of psychology. Written in an easily accessible format for the lay person, it relates key psychological concepts back to Doctor Who.
From personality analysis of each of the Doctors to what makes the Weeping Angels the most terrifying creation; from PTSD to the relationships within the series, to gender and identity, from Amy's crack in the wall to Bill's transformation to cyberman, this book uncovers the many different psychological layers to the timeless show.
This is an updated version of the title, including references to the Thirteenth Doctor.
Utterly fascinating, and will require a second read to really grasp some of the theories.
~ Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~
From personality analysis of each of the Doctors to what makes the Weeping Angels the most terrifying creation; from PTSD to the relationships within the series, to gender and identity, from Amy's crack in the wall to Bill's transformation to cyberman, this book uncovers the many different psychological layers to the timeless show.
This is an updated version of the title, including references to the Thirteenth Doctor.
Utterly fascinating, and will require a second read to really grasp some of the theories.
~ Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~
December 15, 2023
*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book*
I recently rewatched all NuWho and was thus quite excited for this book. Sadly, I found it a bit underwhelming because I had expected a bit more depth and academia, it's quite superficial, which is good for readers who are not academics. As an academic myself, I was disappointed because the topics could've been explored in more depth.
2.5 stars
I recently rewatched all NuWho and was thus quite excited for this book. Sadly, I found it a bit underwhelming because I had expected a bit more depth and academia, it's quite superficial, which is good for readers who are not academics. As an academic myself, I was disappointed because the topics could've been explored in more depth.
2.5 stars
December 23, 2025
This was so fun. Learning psychology through the lens of Doctor Who was so engaging. It’s a little silly but I also learned some things.
November 6, 2023
My full review of the book can be found on Back Shelf Books
Though some of the essays and interviews appealed to me more than others, each was written with depth, understanding, and a true appreciation for Doctor Who. Below I’ve listed just five of my favorite essays and articles, along with a brief description of their subject matter, in hopes that one of these might appeal to you as well.
“Time Lords to Time Ladies” by Travis Langley and Billy San Juan – An essay about gender, Missy and the Master, Bill Potts, the Twelfth and Thirteenth Doctors, Cybermen, and how it all might connect with the Tardis and Judoon. Hands down, this is my favorite in the entire collection. It’s such a smart article with angles I had never even considered.
“Behind Two Hearts: Grief and Vulnerability” by Janina Scarley and Jenna Busch – An article in which the grief and compounded losses of the Doctor, particularly the Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors, is examined.
“Post-Time War Stress Disorder” by Kristin Erickson and Matt Munson, with Travis Langley and Stephen Prescott – An analysis of a potential diagnosis of PTSD in the Post-Time War Doctors using the DSM-5 definition and criteria. A tremendous analysis that was far more interesting than it sounds.
“Who Makes a Good Companion?” by Sarita J. Robinson – An examination of the Doctor’s companions and their skills to determine what the Doctor looks for in his companions and what makes a “good companion.”
“Love on Board a Big Blue Box” by Travis Langley – An essay in which Langley shows that “[t]he Eighth Doctor starts all the kissing,” and that not every companion is the Doctor’s hot young lover, despite what the Tardis has to say on the matter.
The interviews within the book were also outstanding. Multiple Doctors and fan-favorite characters were interviewed for the book, some for longer-form interviews than others. Matt Smith, Alex Kingston, David Tennant, Jodie Whittaker, Christopher Eccleston, Michelle Gomez, Peter Davison, and Sylvester McCoy each appear in interviews within the book, and former companion Katy Manning pens the forward. I don’t want to spoil too much of the interviews, but I will say that the interview with Christopher Eccleston, which is new to this 2nd Edition of Doctor Who Psychology, is especially endearing. Eccleston was an exceptional interviewee; his interview had me pausing to contemplate Hamlet and the loneliness of the Doctor, laughing at his description of the Slitheen, and recalling the best of the Ninth Doctor as Eccleston recounted his favorite scenes and lines. This interview was utter perfection and was a great way to close the book.
Thanks to the publisher for an early review copy of the book! All above thoughts are my own.
Though some of the essays and interviews appealed to me more than others, each was written with depth, understanding, and a true appreciation for Doctor Who. Below I’ve listed just five of my favorite essays and articles, along with a brief description of their subject matter, in hopes that one of these might appeal to you as well.
“Time Lords to Time Ladies” by Travis Langley and Billy San Juan – An essay about gender, Missy and the Master, Bill Potts, the Twelfth and Thirteenth Doctors, Cybermen, and how it all might connect with the Tardis and Judoon. Hands down, this is my favorite in the entire collection. It’s such a smart article with angles I had never even considered.
“Behind Two Hearts: Grief and Vulnerability” by Janina Scarley and Jenna Busch – An article in which the grief and compounded losses of the Doctor, particularly the Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors, is examined.
“Post-Time War Stress Disorder” by Kristin Erickson and Matt Munson, with Travis Langley and Stephen Prescott – An analysis of a potential diagnosis of PTSD in the Post-Time War Doctors using the DSM-5 definition and criteria. A tremendous analysis that was far more interesting than it sounds.
“Who Makes a Good Companion?” by Sarita J. Robinson – An examination of the Doctor’s companions and their skills to determine what the Doctor looks for in his companions and what makes a “good companion.”
“Love on Board a Big Blue Box” by Travis Langley – An essay in which Langley shows that “[t]he Eighth Doctor starts all the kissing,” and that not every companion is the Doctor’s hot young lover, despite what the Tardis has to say on the matter.
The interviews within the book were also outstanding. Multiple Doctors and fan-favorite characters were interviewed for the book, some for longer-form interviews than others. Matt Smith, Alex Kingston, David Tennant, Jodie Whittaker, Christopher Eccleston, Michelle Gomez, Peter Davison, and Sylvester McCoy each appear in interviews within the book, and former companion Katy Manning pens the forward. I don’t want to spoil too much of the interviews, but I will say that the interview with Christopher Eccleston, which is new to this 2nd Edition of Doctor Who Psychology, is especially endearing. Eccleston was an exceptional interviewee; his interview had me pausing to contemplate Hamlet and the loneliness of the Doctor, laughing at his description of the Slitheen, and recalling the best of the Ninth Doctor as Eccleston recounted his favorite scenes and lines. This interview was utter perfection and was a great way to close the book.
Thanks to the publisher for an early review copy of the book! All above thoughts are my own.
October 7, 2023
You want to throw the psychobabble out the window when you read this book, but then you don't. It seems to be somewhat heavy handed giving the latest fashionable popular psychology theories as an analysis of Dr. Who. I mean it is aimed at kids and it is supposed to be entertainment. Why go overboard with analysis that is at best speculative about human behavior and broadly related to lived experience not made for the analysis of popular literature.
But you get a few pages in and then it hits you. This is a lovely way to explore the many changes and plot twists in this series that has now been going for over half a century, since 1963. Who can keep track of it all, does it make any sense? Well, this book by Travis Langley and a team of contributors does exactly that, it helps make sense out of it all.
The concepts used are tools to unpack the composite picture of what is Dr. Who. This is no mere Captain Kirk with somewhat trivial interests in life. Dr. Who changes based on experiences that can only be described as shocking and heart rending. People he loves and travels with, and we grow to enjoy watching, end up dead in the most tragic ways. The suffering of refugees and those affected by wars are just part of the massive weight of experience the Dr. must carry around with him.
In the end the book is little more than a look along a vast array of events and personality changes that is the Doctor. As such it is a brilliant masterpiece of fun and serious contemplation. How do we feel about these social events and psychological trauma that real people experience, that the Doctor and his companions are giving us a a picture of in this TV series? The book explores exactly this.
As simple as it looks, we have something here both to love and gain insight from. If you like Dr. Who, then this book gives you a more complete picture of the character and his companions. In this way it makes the experience of Doctor Who richer and more enjoyable. In another sense this book looks at series issues that we can relate to. In looking at this fanciful dream of a story we take what was mere entertainment and find it is a way to examine series issues extracted from the everyday.
But you get a few pages in and then it hits you. This is a lovely way to explore the many changes and plot twists in this series that has now been going for over half a century, since 1963. Who can keep track of it all, does it make any sense? Well, this book by Travis Langley and a team of contributors does exactly that, it helps make sense out of it all.
The concepts used are tools to unpack the composite picture of what is Dr. Who. This is no mere Captain Kirk with somewhat trivial interests in life. Dr. Who changes based on experiences that can only be described as shocking and heart rending. People he loves and travels with, and we grow to enjoy watching, end up dead in the most tragic ways. The suffering of refugees and those affected by wars are just part of the massive weight of experience the Dr. must carry around with him.
In the end the book is little more than a look along a vast array of events and personality changes that is the Doctor. As such it is a brilliant masterpiece of fun and serious contemplation. How do we feel about these social events and psychological trauma that real people experience, that the Doctor and his companions are giving us a a picture of in this TV series? The book explores exactly this.
As simple as it looks, we have something here both to love and gain insight from. If you like Dr. Who, then this book gives you a more complete picture of the character and his companions. In this way it makes the experience of Doctor Who richer and more enjoyable. In another sense this book looks at series issues that we can relate to. In looking at this fanciful dream of a story we take what was mere entertainment and find it is a way to examine series issues extracted from the everyday.
November 9, 2023
If you’re a diehard Doctor Who fan like me, consider this your next immediate read. I thoroughly enjoyed this read as it highlights some of my favorite aspects of the show, including representation and history. I love that so much of the background for the show (even in early Doctor Who airings) holds enough gravitas to be discussed and intellectualized 60 years later.
I especially enjoyed the interview questions with actors who have portrayed the beloved Time Lord character and their insight into the mechanisms of the show and characters.
I especially enjoyed the interview questions with actors who have portrayed the beloved Time Lord character and their insight into the mechanisms of the show and characters.
September 13, 2023
Thank you to Turner Publishing and Net Galley for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. I was a late fan to the Dr. Who phenomenon. This book had it ALL, and I loved it. I plan to buy one for a couple of fans I know for the holidays. Keep in mind, it will be appropriate for any age...I'm 60, but will be buying it for mid 20 somethings.
October 7, 2023
Doctor Who Psychology is full of so many great facts and information. I really enjoyed reading this. If you want to learn more on characters, the cast of the show, and people involved in the show, give this a read! My favorite was The Weeping Angels!
Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley, and Turner Publishing! All opinions are my own.
Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley, and Turner Publishing! All opinions are my own.
January 14, 2024
As someone who took a break from DW in 2016, I was excited to revisit the series through Doctor Who Psychology. Since I hadn't been watching the series for a few years, I do admit that I was lost on some references, but I could see what Langley was trying to do.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. The above is my honest opinion.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. The above is my honest opinion.
November 2, 2023
Why not add psychology to one of my favorite shows?
It's a very interesting take to the different mental states or personalities of the Doctor.
Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc version of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It's a very interesting take to the different mental states or personalities of the Doctor.
Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc version of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 18, 2024
As an avid doctor who fan and lover of psychology I LOVED it!! It really shows how much doctor who means to people. I loved the conversations here and felt like I was in on a wonderful inside joke. Wonderful conversations like the daleks represent us without our humanity, our empathy and ability to relate to others. There was so much insight and love for the show. Any doctor who nerd would appreciate this book.
December 26, 2023
Your brain is bigger on the inside than on the outside.
Travis Langly has brought a Psychology 101 class to readers with his Popular Psychology series. Each book contains several essays by psychologists that address a variety of topics and discuss them in easy- to-understand language using the characters in popular media. This book explores psychology using the Doctor, his companions and his enemies as examples. The first essay in the book asks the reader “Are you a dalek?” and discusses mob mentality. Another early chapter analyzes personality types as exemplified by the various Doctors. Those are only two of the topics addressed. The book also includes a few interviews with some of the actors from the show. This book is a second edition of Doctor Who Psychology with additional essays to include the most recent Doctors and bring readers up to date for the sixtieth anniversary. If pop psychology is of interest to you and you have watched the Dr who series at all, then I recommend this book. The Brittish tv show premiered in 1963 and I have been a "Doctor Who"fan since PBS started airing the show in America in 1978. I was thrilled to read an advanced review copy through NetGalley. If you are also a “Dr. Who” fan, then this is a must read.
Travis Langly has brought a Psychology 101 class to readers with his Popular Psychology series. Each book contains several essays by psychologists that address a variety of topics and discuss them in easy- to-understand language using the characters in popular media. This book explores psychology using the Doctor, his companions and his enemies as examples. The first essay in the book asks the reader “Are you a dalek?” and discusses mob mentality. Another early chapter analyzes personality types as exemplified by the various Doctors. Those are only two of the topics addressed. The book also includes a few interviews with some of the actors from the show. This book is a second edition of Doctor Who Psychology with additional essays to include the most recent Doctors and bring readers up to date for the sixtieth anniversary. If pop psychology is of interest to you and you have watched the Dr who series at all, then I recommend this book. The Brittish tv show premiered in 1963 and I have been a "Doctor Who"fan since PBS started airing the show in America in 1978. I was thrilled to read an advanced review copy through NetGalley. If you are also a “Dr. Who” fan, then this is a must read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews