The Psychology of Eric Cartman

Understanding what makes Eric Cartman the most evil child ever is no easy task, but it's kind of fun.
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[@Bloomser]

I recently discovered that a KZbinr by the name of EliDPerry2000 made a video extremely similar to this one a year ago but I just wanted to mention it so people don’t think I plagiarized his video or anything like that. I actually did do some research to see if anyone had made this video before, but searching “psychology of Cartman” didn’t bring his video up, so I assumed no one had made the video. Go check out his video too, it’s well done!

[@bruhsleepineed929]

Sure sure, but are you going to make a video on the post covid exclusive event? I'm quite mad about the cliffhanger

[@bruhsleepineed929]

Maybe not mad, just dissapointed

[@Bloomser]

@@bruhsleepineed929 i am, it may be a while as I’m very busy for the week and a half, but it is coming.

[@mayonnaiseonahotdog7674]

You mentioned the episode "tssh" where cartman becomes a perfect boy who studies well when cesar leaves at the end he manages to trick his mom into getting him KFC and 2 mega rangers while smirking about it

[@greyjedi6430]

@@Bloomser make as much south park content as humanly possible can't ever get enough

[@DiveBombRebel]

Cartman from season 1 to 4 was pretty much just a bratty kid. Season 5 is when his character became a sociopath starting from the Scott Tenorman episode.

[@rashira9610]

He was also treated pretty poorly by the others, and could have been acting that way in self defense. Then he just snapped.

[@leahsincelejo7641]

Season 10 Scott Tenerman

[@errwhattheflip]

@@rashira9610 I think there's even an episode in Season 1 where Pip states that Cartman used to be like him and bullied all the time until he started making fun of Pip

[@KeShaunB3]

@@rashira9610 right but if anyone were to acknowledge that then we would have a biggest problem in society because that would mean that a majority of the people who picked on him are the reason why the tear and destruction he causes later, comes to fruition

[@peterorfanos3107]

He did start a nazi campaign

[@theelementalgriffin2092]

The fact Cartman has the highest criminal record and is still a kid

[@macaronisushi4512]

There's more he forgot election fraud

[@se_eikeboom6891]

@@macaronisushi4512 illegal adoption

[@se_eikeboom6891]

@@macaronisushi4512 lets not forget when he killed thousants of hippies

[@SkullboyMus1c]

@@se_eikeboom6891 mass genocide, yeah

[@menacetosociety2033]

Hes like 49 and married a jewish chick and had jewish children 😂😂

[@alexdrake4081]

I also think cartman had empathy for chef, especially since he was the only adult figure Cartman trusted, you could even see him be traumatized when witnessing chef’s death

[@roxaskinghearts]

Eric is everything wrong with America dont be a kartman the people who need 2600 calories in a single meal or heck several i mean my god and people ask why heart disease is on the rise fake news while their smoking shoe cleaner and pinching lysol and cleaning their chicken with cleaners and feeding it to their kids no wonder republicans dont want to fix their own problems and attack us for them their problem is drugs bad but mr cleans hot i want him all over me and in me lord have mercy do you have common sense doesnt matter when you have a secret Clorox fix and leave your family of 4 how are people trying every cleaner in the market for consumption because of our fed up school system o it doesnt happen fake news hmm thousands of these strange multi organ failure subjects i wonder how many of them were caused by huffing and your fake family values America

[@SecretMagician]

One small thing I'd also say supports this is when the South Park songs were sung by an orchestra and "Chef's Salty Chocolate Balls" was sung, Cartman had a almost sad look at the end while everyone else smiled and was impressed. I think he was the most touched by that song.

[@animefan2454]

Yeah, man, was basically Cartmans father figure

[@metafate]

adult cartman starting a family and willing to do literally anything to protect them was the best character development i've seen this show give him. it makes the ending of south park: post post covid feel very tragic. we aren't happy he got what he deserved. in fact, we're actually sad about it. he didn't need punishment, he needed therapy and a better life.

[@scar2377]

He needed someone who would love him for him

[@wildbard4112]

I was happy, he got what he deserved. After all the lives he destroyed you think he deserves love?

[@scar2377]

@@wildbard4112 didn't it also showed that him not being around his friends made him a better person

[@wildbard4112]

@@scar2377 That doesn't erase the things he's done

[@scar2377]

@@wildbard4112 he redeem himself you have to admit that

[@ReaperBlaze76]

There's also the implication that Cartman acts the way he does as a defense mechanism for the other kids making fun of him for his weight. In the episode "Cartman's Silly Hate" when Cartman gets sent to juvie the other kinds immediately single out Clyde as the new fat kid and start belittling him for it, which leads Clyde to start adopting some of Cartman's typical traits.

[@tobiuchiha1367]

Also, in the first season, he was more tame and was heavily bullied by the others, (expesionally Kyle who constinly poked fun at him) until Scott tenimen, where he snapped.

[@Qu1nnieBabes]

Cartman’s logic: Oh you think I’m fat? Enjoy eating your parents organs 🥰

[@vaporkay7831]

@@tobiuchiha1367 especially* Tenorman*

[@TheLifeLaVita]

@@Qu1nnieBabes "you're a fat little piggy aren't you? what? NO HONEY PLEASE I DIDN'T CHEAT ON YOU HON- she killed herself D''':

[@voidymite]

and when he turned heidi into a female version of himself

[@ploppledoodledoo17]

Even Satan himself is way nicer than Cartman.

[@definitelynotsiri4058]

To be fair, SP Satan is a lot nicer than a lot of characters.

[@Bloomser]

I’d say he’s one of the nicest in the show tbh

[@ploppledoodledoo17]

Yeah, thats fair, but I thought that was kinda funny

[@elliotcutliff7779]

Maybe Cartman is Satan's bastard?

[@TheAstralFencer]

Maybe reading into it too deeply, but Satan as a character himself is pretty interesting and goes under a lot of growth during the series, while Cartman at best regresses.

[@celaenaelentiya8976]

I love South Park, it says a lot about the society we live in. In this case, notice how a lot of characters turn a blind eye to Cartman. Not many try to stop him and those who do become his targets/victims.

[@regularstan6212]

We all have a little cartman inside of us.

[@catliver10]

Ehem wendy

[@duncanchillake8024]

@@regularstan6212 poor choice of words

[@swarple]

I always interpreted it as them just being tired of dealing with it, and giving up. A sort of “Whatever, it’s Cartman, we know we can’t change his mind.” That’s why Kyle is one of my favorite characters in the show. Even when everyone else has come to accept Cartman’s bullcrap, Kyle always says something and makes an active attempt to stop him- besides those episodes where Cartman manages to rope him into his schemes. But he never stands idly by. Also sometimes he beats Cartman up. 10/10

[@Sinister25031]

Another episode that shows cartman’s empathy was when he went to San Diego to save Kyle. Sure he saved Kyle because “still wanted to make fun of Jews” but he literally saved their entire family from dying in the “smug”.

[@definitelynotsiri4058]

1: It was San Francisco. 2: Yes, because it would be rather difficult to get 9 year old Kyle back to square one without a family.

[@nataliaescobarramos6422]

@@definitelynotsiri4058 you are right about that, but I do wonder why he saved Ike too though.

[@lopoa126]

@@nataliaescobarramos6422 He would have left Ike if he was from Quebec

[@folkloreswiftie13]

Another instance is an episode where Wendy was starting to fall in love with Cartman, and Cartman liked her back. She kissed him, and Cartman was very happy to be around her but Wendy went back to Stan in the end. The end of the episode just shows Cartman looking very sad, not bratty just sad

[@nosodiumsalt]

Something ive noticed about Cartmans mother too is that she is not only an enabler and basically neglects her child due to her own narcissism, she also heavily parentifies her son. Although she does treat him like a child, she also treats him as a grown man or pushes him into the role of an adult, which a 10 year old cannot comprehend. I found that most obvious in the episode "Tssk!", where Cartmans mom literally says "I may have lost a friend, but i gained a son." Parents should NEVER look at their children as "friends". Also in the end of the same episode, she bought cards for an opera for herself and Cesar, but instead lures her son into coming with her, even when he declines, essentially sending some really not okay messages and vibes to her own child. She doesnt have a husband, so she clings to the only man that is consistently in her life. It's little psychological things like these that can shape the psyche of a child this young

[@ldspt1939]

But I guess it all worked out in the end. since Cartman becomes the most successful of the 4 boys in the family life aspect. Especially with how unpredictable is was that he would becomes a rabbi

[@chronic-joker]

@@ldspt1939 actually that was from kyle no longer being his friend when kyle left cartman improved as a person and was no longer under the negative effects of interacting with kyle.

[@jerm70]

I actually have a theory for that. Liane dies when Cartman loses his friends because she can no longer cope with her son's entitlement by a crack overdose. This forces Cartman to lose everything which is why his behavior changes because no one is going to tolerate it. This also explains the lengths Cartman will go to not lose what he has by killing despite being against his new core.

[@ldspt1939]

@@jerm70 I think that she does die, not in the way you say, but regardless she dies, and I think a common misconception is that Cartman is a psychopath. He is not truly one, I believe that his mom is the enabler, and we know hes able to feel empathy and sympathy towards other, on multiple occasions, and without the enabler, he looses many of his psychopathic tendencies.

[@jerm70]

@@ldspt1939 Why wouldn't she of died from a crack overdose? You do realize that's a part of her character, right?

[@fablethewolf825]

People use that KFC thing as sort of a joke, but it's not. This show is (at least aimed at) adults, who presumably have jobs, money and some mode of transportation. If you or I have a craving for KFC, we can easily just go get some, they're everywhere and are not terribly expensive. A little kid, though? They're entirely reliant on their parents in these matters, they can't just go to a restaurant several miles away and get the chicken when they want it. Adding that to the scene leading up to it, establishing that the boys had been waiting for Stan's mom who was bringing home the chicken, and they were pretty excited and antsy. On top of all that, the fact that Kenny's family regularly substantiates on frozen waffles? No wonder the kid broke down crying.

[@mart5610]

No shit dude

[@DelilahDarling17]

That scene broke my heart, but I'm glad it did. I love it when the show puts you through "this is all comedy, don't take whatever is going on here seriously," before they suddenly hit you with a scene that tugs at your heartstrings. As another example: Butter's speech in the gothic Stan episode. That's another moment I can remember that all of a sudden hit me where it hurts. I was all fine and dandy before, laughing carelessly at the episode *until this small scene just decided to hit me across the head with a baseball bat.* "No thanks, I love life." "Huh? But you just got dumped." "Well, yeah, and I'm sad. But at the same time I'm really happy that something can make me feel that sad. It makes me feel alive, y'know? It makes me feel human. The only way I can feel this sad now is if I felt something really good before. So, I have to take the bad with the good. So, I guess what I'm feeling is like a beautiful sadness."

[@alexm7627]

@@DelilahDarling17 that dialogue right there is fantastic

[@blazefoster5845]

Damn...maybe I shouldn't have laughed cuz I thought it was a joke

[@wriggleby]

Yeah, I know it's ridiculous based on literary everything else he's ever done but that scene always got to me more than others. The way Kenny just starts sobbing always breaks my heart.

[@brunettebi4111]

Theorists: Greg Heffley is a sociopath! Eric Cartman: Hold my Cheesy Poofs.

[@LifetimeThiccness]

I have a feeling that the two of them would get along.

[@brunettebi4111]

@@LifetimeThiccness Nah. They'd probably fight.

[@pastorjerrykliner3162]

I've always thought Cartman, Stan, and Kyle work pretty well in a classic Freudian model. Kyle often works as the "Super-Ego," Stan as the "Ego," and Cartman is the "Id." Cartman embodies the "Id": being the most childish and primal urges. He is also, literally, "the largest" and one of the hardest parts of the town to control. He frequently comes into conflict with Kyle, who is the "moral voice" and, as a result, hates him. Stan is often placed in the uncomfortable place of having to negotiate between the two, usually adopting some sort of a-moral but pragmatic solution. Of course that's just kind of a basic sketch of the origin of the characters, but I think it holds some water.

[@Maria-mk3uj]

The episode “Tsst” was like enough proof to tell us what’s wrong. Cesar was supposed to train Eric but he never actually talked to him but instead focused on training the mom. At the end they fixed Eric but as soon as Cesar walked away, the mom reverted back to spoiling her son again thus summoning back the monster she created.

[@definitelynotsiri4058]

True to an extent but IMO for multiple reasons “Tsst” doesn’t explain ALL his behavior so we can have some fun analyzing and speculating.

[@mr.samishi3248]

I think at the end Cartman never really changed and only acted like it so Cesar could go away

[@SerperiorChaos]

@@mr.samishi3248 nah I generally believe he changed. For an episode...

[@scar2377]

@@SerperiorChaos oh he did and actually I feel his behavior is also because of everyone don't forget in the old seasons Cartman was more tame but everyone did bully him until he snapped one day

[@yamiyumi6453]

@@SerperiorChaos nah

[@nuggetster]

I know South Park isn’t supposed to be taken seriously but honestly the more I think about it, about what all of the characters went trough, the way they react and cope and just how they’re written is just… so well? And makes me think a lot. I could talk about it for hours You’re currently one of my favorite KZbinrs that talks about this piece of media that is one of that I enjoy the most. Keep up the good work

[@ryanhunter226]

There's a lot of subtext to South Park. Obviously where in hell can we find the subtext in 7:59? But I think there are.a lot if details that (as a satire of the "current" world since the 90s to now) reflect on what society is. As Frankie Boyle said "Comedy is a way of taking information and codifying it." A king allowed his jester to make fun of him in front of everyone because he knew the jester was the only one who would give him the real truth and not be a sycophant. Not to be too deep, but thats kind of what South Park is. Unbiased, shows us the stereotypes and makes fun of those, shatters a lot of centuries old concepts (All children are inherently innocent, all adults and parents know best, bullies are lone individuals who are easy to spot, when the opposite group marginalises others its bad, but when its us doing it, its all ok) There is so much great detail along with random absurd madness in South Park. Its a brilliant show.

[@nuggetster]

@@ryanhunter226 exactly! Honestly I could rant about South Park for hours and how much of smart writing it has even tho ik I would probably get made fun of lmao

[@berlyngrey9242]

@@ryanhunter226 deeply (and accurately) analyzed

[@blakedavis2447]

Why isn’t it supposed to be taken seriously? It’s a well written show.

[@jaeboogie2786]

I consider south park to be fine art.

[@cm3368]

There's a lot of instances showcasing Cartman's empathy; he sympathises with the Jakovosaurs, he doesn't believe it's okay to make fun of people because of their weight (just their looks), he tried to help send Willzyx 'home', in the rainforest he got help from the logging crew to rescue his classmates, he goes to San Francisco in the diving suit to rescue Kyle and the Broflovskis from the Smug, he's genuinely grateful to Kyle using his Jersey powers to save him from Snooki, he posed as a teacher to help kids from poor backgrounds to cheat their way through school because he knew the education system was designed to stop them succeeding on their own, he was a sincerely good and caring boyfriend to Heidi at the beginning of their relationship, he's had real romantic feelings for a couple of people in the show, and he does try and advise and help people in his own messed up way, even as the Coon he thought his villainy was heroics - Cartman's major problem is that he has such a skewed moral compass he genuinely can't tell right from wrong and gets the two mixed up often

[@dieinfire920]

He twist the truth on a level that he himself doesn’t think he’s lying, like Jimmy said in the episode of the fish sticks. And Cartman doesn’t know when to stop, that’s been mentioned by many (Wendy, Jimmy etc).

[@propheinx2250]

He also feels empathy for cats.

[@kashmire05]

Cartman's last shred of empathy left when Chef did, as it was probably like losing a father figure

[@polycube868]

Cartman looked up to Chef for sure.

[@swaginator5077]

Don’t forget Cartman once wanted to get a robot dog for Christmas so he could starve it to death but when Stan & Kyle got it too he hated it 😂

[@alexvaughan1013]

At least they got Kenny back in that episode!

[@DBZAOTA482]

He thought he just wanted to rob in thier faces

[@TheTrueAltoClef]

The genius of Cartmans writing (the shows writing in general) is the same as every other characters writing. The show handles topics, and lets the characters fill in the rolls of people involved. If the show discusses something feminist, use Wendy to represent it. If it discusses something to do with Judaism, use Kyle. If the show wants to represent the most evil things humans can do, use Cartman. Kenny for poor people, Token for black people, Timmy for disabled people and so on. The show doesn't prioritise the characters, it prioritises the plot, and writes the actions of the characters around that.

[@lordgrimm2905]

Kenny represents poor people, you can hardly understand what he is saying, and no one pays attention to him unless they need him for something or he dies

[@elmark5189]

Rip stan.

[@tommyrandall3489]

@@elmark5189 Well Stan is predominantly used as the straight man/audience surrogate. But not to mention that Stan often comes up in topics surrounding the American protestant working class.

[@leethejailer9195]

@@lordgrimm2905 and that he can die over and over again and no one will notice

[@ryanlozano9086]

Randy is used as the gateway of how the adults of the town react and are in that weird way

[@gustavedelior3683]

Cartman is neglected, enabled and left to his own vices by his mother. He learns most of his social skills from movies and television. He was created not born that way. 110% sociopath with underlying narcissist tendencies coupled with inferiority complex and oppositional defiance disorder. Boarder line also comes to mind.

[@regularstan6212]

To me Cartman is a commentary on EVERYONE in society, we all have a little Eric Cartman on the inside of us.

[@kashmire05]

So facts, even Matt and Trey said that sure Stan and Kyle are based on themselves, but admitted they realized they related a lot with some of Cartman's character, and that we all have a side of Cartman in us.

[@propheinx2250]

We're all Kenny. We're all struggling for money, could die at any minute, and have Cartman, Kyle, and Stan arguing in our heads.

[@onkelkonkel5]

IMO, Cartman’s treatment of Heidi is the worst he’s done, albeit perhaps not “objectively”. (Obviously he’s done worse things like murder, extortion, manipulation, driving people to suicide etc). But all of Cartman’s other antics are so cartoonishly evil, they can’t really be taken seriously. And very often, his cunning and scheming gets the better of him in the end. However, his treatment of Heidi hits so close to home for anyone who has been in a toxic relationship. You can almost feel the manipulation and egotistical behavior she is put through until she finally succumbs and turns into a female version of Cartman. To me, it’s still hard to watch, just because it’s so relatable.

[@berlyngrey9242]

My ex probably agrees with you

[@definitelynotsiri4058]

It’s a trope known as “Realism Induced Horror”.

[@akaneonfox]

I agree with you just watching a scene with the two is just to uncomfortable because of how realistic it is even if it's a cartoon.

[@OneManCast]

No, god no. Its the other way around. She never let Cartman be himself. She was always pushy, she constantly dawdled and ruined his pumpkin patch visit. Then, when she asked cartman which option she should pick, Cartman actually arsed himself to care to answer. Then she went with the opposite. God I hate this gynecentric society. Always the man's fault, women get free passes to do whatever they want. No accountability. She tries to force him to be Vegan and then you're upset when Cartman tricks her into eating what he wants to eat? Cartman ain't no saint, he's downright psychotic, but Heidi is arbitrary, controlling. All Cartman did, was expose Heidi's negative traits. If he forces his food choice onto Heidi, even though she did it first? Wahmen most affected. Does not give him space to be himself and have guy time? Wahmen most affected. Her girlfriends insulting, mocking her choice of being with Cartman in this "toxic relationship" wahmen most affected. The main toxic people in that relationship were the emotionally abusive female friends. Stop blaming Cartman for this. This was all Heidi. Cartman just revealed Heidi's inner psychopath. He didn't create her toxicity, he revealed it. Yet you blame the one who exposes the truth, rather than the secret psychopath exposed. Cartman's always been a downright sadist on the outside, but he was mostly tame with her. Heidi on the outside seems like a normal girl, but Cartman's relationship revealed Heidi's inner psychopath. So for the life of us all, stop blaming Cartman for Heidi's behavior.

[@djlethargic]

@@OneManCast You're joking, right?

[@alexipanda9505]

That bit at the end. My heart can't not break when Kenny cries like that

[@saskia9805]

Saddest sound is the world!!

[@mikeropaynus410]

It’s a cartoon grow up and get real

[@princessaur]

@@mikeropaynus410 Just because it's a cartoon doesn't mean we're not allowed to feel for the characters.

[@DelilahDarling17]

@@princessaur Agreed. I feel for fictional characters all of the time. If I didn't, then the world would be utterly dull to me. Just because some people believe "it's fictional lmao, grow up," doesn't mean I'm not allowed to be the complete opposite. My head is often in the clouds, and I'm not ashamed of that. And as a young writer, I feel for my own characters *all* of the time. Despite how much I put them through. I've even cried a couple of times from some things I write―and if I ever publish my books, I'd hope my readers feel just as strongly as I do. To feel connected to both the characters and the world I always work hard on.

[@purplebugg]

@@DelilahDarling17 true that! i feel for characters all the time, it helps me connect with my inner emotions that are otherwise hard for me to express. i love many franchises for this reason alone, and it’s one of my biggest inspirations to keep going sometimes.

[@HeavyMetalHindu]

Dude realtalk though, hearing Kenny cry after Cartman ate the skin off that chicken broke my heart. Kenny's family is poor, a meal like that is like Thanksgiving to him and he was probably looking forward to that all week. It might even have been all he would get to eat that day.

[@isaiasvazquez5792]

The episode where there's people that have asses for faces also hint at Cartman feeling guilty. A prank Cartman and Kenny pull off end up giving false hope for a couple to find their missing son. While Cartman explains the way he feels is "seeing something so funny it destroys your ability to laugh", most other character think that's stupid and he simply feels guilty

[@redjirachi1]

Imagine how dangerous Eric Cartman might become as an adult; we'd be talking about evil on par with the Lich

[@JayTowers901]

President cartman?

[@pokeroryx]

We'll see on South Park: Post Covid

[@jakealter5504]

Probably closer to joker

[@rycewinslow8600]

@@pokeroryx He becomes a jew ( watch it)

[@pokeroryx]

@@rycewinslow8600 This show is so unpredictable I'm convinced

[@leeferguson-piper4841]

I'd like to see someone make a whole video on Cartman and Heidis relationship. I think it's one of the most accurate dipictions of a toxic relationship I've seen. That's one of the reasons I go back and watch season 21 all the time.

[@definitelynotsiri4058]

Someone did

[@codyboothe2310]

Especially since cartman made heidi toxic

[@kolavard958]

Yeah Haidi was bitch in that relationship. Poor Cartman.

[@definitelynotsiri4058]

@@kolavard958 pls tell me you’re joking

[@mustafasalman7147]

@@kolavard958 both of them were terrible to each other at SOME point but Cartman was more so

[@STINKY-LITTLE-THING]

12:40 I know a ton of people know this already but when you realize what this scene in the show means it’s just sad because kenny can’t eat the right kind of food and the chicken was probably the only thing he ate that day (I want to beat the shit out of Cartman-)

[@knifer-d3266]

Cartman shows a tiny bit of empathy when he’s about to murder his mom but finds that he loves her to much to carry on with it and turns into a good boy until his mom decided to let him do whatever again. The dog whisperer episode

[@berlyngrey9242]

Eric is the most entertaining cartoon character I've ever come across. If he wasn't as dark as he is possessing ALL of the dark triad characteristics he wouldn't be the Cartman we all come to love and abhor.

[@NewOrderOfAlexandria]

Cartman's mom has always been a push over who let's Eric walk all over her, but in future episodes we've seen her try and take control over him, but he's just too un-disciplined to ever learn. I don't think she's ever aware how evil he can be and see's him as un-corruptible like any mother would. No matter what. She's a single mother and Eric hasn't had a good male role model to discipline him at all, unlike the other kids. I think she let's him do whatever he wants out of loneliness and isolation for she has no one else to love. She sleeps around out of complusive desperation, to feel some love, even if it's fleeting, because maybe deep down she knows Eric only uses her for his selfish needs.

[@animefan2454]

I think even tho Cartman abuses and takes advantage of her i think he still has some affection for her since he got pissed when Stan's grandpa talk shit about her

[@ryanclemons1]

@@animefan2454 maybe but he is still willing to try and kill her....so yeah.

[@reverence5265]

Chef was probably the best role model throughout the show but… you know.

[@DemiIsNotHere]

@@animefan2454 Yeah, several times Cartman has done stupid things to "protect" her. Like the home security or the thing with the UPS. Its just that he as an egocentric, is the priority. Then the rest. And there has been several instances of her just doing what he wants.

[@Charlie.G506]

In the Dog trainer episode, you can clearly see that she actively enables Cartman's bad behavior, it's more of a "i'll let you have all you want to feel good about myself & well, if you are offering to me, don't mind if i aceept".

[@walak6832]

When you talked about Cartman’s empathy, this really made me think of the episode, "how to eat with your butt" Kyle says at the end that Cartman couldn’t laugh cause he felt bad the butt people really lost a kid, and all the way long, Cartman doesn’t want to accept this and convince himself he "broke a funny fuse" even when being kindaaa good, he cant take the credit he prefers being seen in a bad way

[@bringonthevelocirapture]

In reality, psychopaths lack empathy, but also general emotion (save for survival stuff) and are mostly (MOSTLY) harmless, you could talk to a psychopath for hours and not notice. Sociopath is just a lack of empathy. They still have emotions, but they're more self-centered. Think unstable narcissist, who's aware they're a narcissist. They can be much more controlling, but (from what I've seen) it does bother them to some level they're like that, and people around them are usually the conduit for those negative emotions. If you were either of these two, you'd know, you don't really need a psychologist. Trust me, people with some anti-social personality disorder are aware, most usually rationalize it away and don't seek help, or don't see a point in it. It's a hard thing to "fix", especially when it essentially means redefining what "right" and "wrong" are in the context of interpersonal relationships.

[@slager3028]

Sociopaths share many similarities with psychopats, but the key difference is that their behaviour is learnt, a psychopath's brain works differently because they are born this way, but sociopaths turned into sociopaths because of the external causes (nurture), this means that empathy and emotional intelligence is not completely absent in their minds, but it's rather dull compared to normal human beings. They tend to be more repulsive, they have a harder time disguising themselves, they are more likely to get involved in criminal activites and in some cases they can feel true empathy. Given that Cartman is repulsive to say the least, and he has shown empathy in many cases, it would be fair to call him a sociopath.

[@michaelgregor1640]

Is there any clinical basis to this? From what little I've gathered, I was under the impression that terms like sociopath and psychopath are purely colloquial and used somewhat interchangeably.

[@akaiyoru2681]

Technically tho, since you can't diagnose children with ASPD, you could make a case for the Conduct Disorder. Conduct Disorder is one of the parts in diagnosis for the ASPD, but isn't a deciding factor. You can see Cartman in the future where he was isolated from that enviroment that he turned into a loving Jewish father, he flipped a complete 180°

[@Skoopyghost]

I'm a full blown sociopath when I don't work the 12 steps even if I'm not using. I describe my addiction as learned sociopathic behavior from a bad childhood. Sociopath diagnosis fits me so well.

[@definitelynotsiri4058]

“If some girl tried to kick my ass, I’d be like: Ay! Why don’t you stop dressing me up like a mailman and making me dance for you while you go and smoke crack with some guy I don’t even guy I don’t even know in my dad’s bed?” -Eric Cartman

[@justthetoxic]

When did he quote that lmao

[@definitelynotsiri4058]

@@justthetoxic An Elephant Makes Love to a Pig, in Season 1.

[@joydividing]

Ay, nice Moral Orel profile picture

[@definitelynotsiri4058]

@@joydividing Thank you

[@charlielynch3916]

Cartman is the most evil character ever written for a show, and it's brilliant. I think the best diagnosis for him would be malignant narcissism. Not only is he completely self absorbed and selfish, he exhibits that by acting sadistically toward others and manipulating them to get what he wants. He does occasionally have connections to others that feel "real" but over the years these seem to have declined. A good example was in Bigger, Longer and Uncut when he and Kyle are about to be blown up, Cartman apologises for calling Kyle a jew all the time. Not only was that hilarious, it's Cartman genuinely trying to express something since they're about to die. However him turning passion of the christ into a Nazi mob, making Scott Tenorman eat his parents (then licking Scott's tears up, all cause of 20 dollars) and possibly worst his abuse toward his mom and Heidi. In later seasons, every single thing he does is to serve himself, he doesn't care who this will hurt or help. Another perfect example is the black friday console wars saga, where he tries to betray pretty much every character just so he can get an xbox one.

[@elijahhernandez906]

surprised no one's mentioned malignant narcissism. Truth be told (even by just the name) malignant narcissism seems to be different catagory of other narcissism(s).

[@nompuehuenu]

honestly this is why i never really thought Post Covid Cartman was fake, it is clear the town and his mother were hurting him and enabling him so when he finally met someone willing to see him as a person and stand by his side, he could stop being such an asshole. the ending broke me though. :(

[@eyecedtea646]

Tw: sexual abuse/spoilers Don't forget in the fractured but whole game when you look through cartmans diary you can find really sick and twisted drawings of the people he hates (mainly kyle) doing sexual acts, and I think because of his early exposure to the stuff his mom does and being sexually assaulted numerous times on the show, he believes sex is one of the worst things that can happen to a person. (Not rlly related to his psychology but it's definitely contributed to how fcked up his character is)

[@NewOrderOfAlexandria]

Yeah there is another funny but kind of messed up scene in wood land winter critters, where Kyle gets an abortion by little lion cubs 😅 but it's very weirdly sexual as well, so adds up. (Cartman wrote the story, just to rip on Kyle and write that scene)

[@JayTowers901]

When did he get molested? I would rewatch each episode

[@definitelynotsiri4058]

@@JayTowers901 A LOT of episodes. There was once a full compilation on the wiki, but it was deleted.

[@eyecedtea646]

@@JayTowers901 while i was writing this i was remembering the episode "its a jersey thing", where he was r4ped (of course by a really disgusting rat creature but then again it is a comedy show), and in the episode "an elephant makes love to a pig" cartman accidentally confessed that his mother had subjected him to humiliation in a sexual way, and the last episode i was thinking of was "fun with veal" when stan kyle and kenny knocked on cartman's window and he yelled "no uncle jesse, no!" in his sleep. so yeah a lot of fucked up things have happened to cartman

[@JayTowers901]

@@eyecedtea646 and i remembering now. He's my favorite character but the sad thing is that he just needs someone who actually loves em.

[@clownetto981]

I think that Cartman has at least an IQ of 140 minimum. I don't care about his grades. He's extremely lazy and doesn't care about school. He is driven, people come to him when they can't fight back. He turns the tide on any situation he is in. His plans are insane but they mainly work. He should of been the CEO billionaire in Post Covid instead of Kenny but I do believe he would of picked the path he picked must for a very long game of pissing off Kyle.

[@FleppyTheClown]

If you remember in that time travel episode, he WAS going to be a billionaire CEO until he threw his life away.

[@golden1_1dragon12]

Except he loses in physical fights😂😂😂

[@clownetto981]

@@golden1_1dragon12 Yeah and? I meant for statistical battles. Like when the kids wanted to get rid of PC Principal

[@golden1_1dragon12]

@@clownetto981 man ur confusing me dude. Cartman got plowed by pc principle there too.

[@clownetto981]

@@golden1_1dragon12 Yes. He did. But that's not my point. My point is that the other kids went to him as a last resort and believed he would be able to deal with him

[@mariojuan7539]

cartman also saves kyle in "smug alert!" and it can be understood as if he's saving him to have someone to laugh at and annoy, but i think he has a genuine care and special connection to kyle, and possibly stan and kenny as well. although it is very unlikely with kenny because of "kenny dies" ending

[@stopstep]

12:44 this joke is even sadder because we know Kenny doesn’t eat at home.

[@wsudance85]

There are a few episodes where Carman's mom realizes how out of control he is but, especially in earlier seasons, she seems totally oblivious to it even when it happens right in front of her or is explained very simply and directly. You have to wonder too what kind of pathology she has to have made her into the enabler of such an antisocial and dangerous child.

[@argie003]

When I say I love Eric's character, it's not because I condone his actions. It's because of how complex and interesting he is. I've been watching south park for 10 years now, and he always fascinates me, everytime

[@lightinggirl10]

Same here

[@Unlikely_Pirate]

The thing I think you miss when it comes to Cartman’s ‘empathy’ is the fact that it’s towards things that are his possessions/things under his control. Psychopaths have an attachment to their possessions and will react with what seems like true emotion when something happens to them. But it’s at about the same mental level as damaging an item you own. It’s born out of possessiveness rather than empathy. When it comes to animals I will cite the case of Ian Brady who was the embodiment of a psychopathic killer but had a very soft spot for animals despite one of the key signs of a psychopath is violence towards animals.

[@truebornseeker9767]

1) obviously you can miss one of the diagnostic criteria and still get a diagnosis 2) ASPD is also typically formed very young through trauma, sometimes because youre forced to grow up too fast or general neglect (one specific person i know of has ASPD because her mother always taught her that emotions made her weak and forced her to repress most emotions other than anger and happiness, so she never developed complex emotions or fully understood what was wrong with any of her actions) Thought i do think NPD fits a little better for cartman’s upbringing, i still think he also has ASPD (as much as i dont like to headcanon evil characters with those disorders lol)

[@nevergonnagiveyouup1180]

It sounds like comorbidity of narcissism and antisocial personality disorder

[@machinewithmakeup542]

I think cartman would more likely be a sociopath then a psychopath. Sociopaths do feel empathy to a little extend, just like Cartman imo. Also psychopaths are born and sociopaths are made often as a result to past trauma so that would kinda fit him

[@samuellennon1984]

And sociopaths can feel love and other 'normal emotions', it's just alot harder for them than us. Tbf their love and view on these emotions is more obsessive and messed up but still.

[@trevorturner8037]

In that case Mr. Garrison is a psychopath because he was raised in a good family but was born a monster

[@shizachan8421]

@@samuellennon1984 I've once read a study which seemed to have discovered that what is usually described as sociopaths or psychopaths are actually capable of feeling empathy, its just that they have consciously have to empathize with somebody. So it seems like its less about them being incapable of feeling empathy, but that the "switch" if we want to call it so is turned off by default, while with most people it is by default turned on, so that they have to consciously supress feelings of empathy in situations where it would hinder them, for example in soldiers, surgeons who have to cut open humans or similar professions where focussing on empathy would be hindering to them. I think the experiment went like this, they conducted it on prison inmates who are diagnosed as having antisocial personality disorders and showed them pictures of people suffering or in a state of distract while scanning their brainwaves. First there was no response, afterwards the inmates were asked to empathize with the people on the picture, after which the brain regions associated with empathy started to respond. I found it interesting, because it shows that psychopaths probably could be treated to some degree, in conditioning them to consciously empathize with people around them.

[@hyenaholicproductions9033]

The thing about Cartman showing 'empathy' towards his toys and animals is that normal people - even children - understand that toys are not people, and animals are not people, and even if they show empathy towards toys and animals, they still show empathy towards people as well. Psychopaths and sociopaths DO show empathy towards animals. But he's never shown empathy towards HUMANS. Even a narcissist appreciates that humans are better at adoring them. And yes, he 'transformed'. The problem being first off, the only thing that worked, was not nannies, but a professional obedience trainer FOR DOGS. The second being that he rapidly reverted before even the end of the episode. And yes, his mother is a TERRIBLE enabler.

[@Bloomser]

The one argument you could make against that is that he showed empathy to Stan in the pandemic special by not incinerating the pangolin. But that’s up for debate

[@cm3368]

Psychopaths aren't capable of experiencing empathy to any degree, not for humans, animals and especially not for inanimate objects, this is one of the most studied and objective aspects of psychopathy

[@etsap1236]

Also in order for someone to truly manipulate people the way he does you need to have a good understanding of how people feel. Even if the empathy is used to manipulate he still has it.

[@ilijaan]

Important notes: People with ASPD and/or NPD can feel empathy, just not remorse. High empathy is very common among people with ASPD and BPD combined. Empathy comes mostly in two forms, emotional and cognitive. People with ASPD usually score high on cognitive empathy and low or none on emotional empathy. The diagnosis for a child with psychopathic traits is a Conduct Disorder also. Second note, both NPD and ASPD are traumagenic, aka formed from trauma. While people can be born with ASPD-psychopathic traits or acquire it from childhood head injuries, most commonly it stems from childhood abuse from before the age of 14 months. Children who were abused or neglected at less than 14 months very commonly develop a distant avoidant attachment style and never truly learn to empathize or interact with other children, they mimic how their guardians treat them towards other kids and become progressively worse over time. Most violent acts in children with a conduct disorder or oppositional disorders ( aka predecessors to ASPD ) don’t commit crimes or become violent due to being “evil”, they become violent because they can’t deal with complex emotions and anger or don’t know what to do with themselves when bored There is also a correlation between undiagnosed ADHD and developing ASPD later on. TLDR: All in all, my point is ASPD doesn’t mean no empathy at all and most commonly is made from trauma.

[@swagmund_freud6669]

He also clearly showed empathy for Kenny in Kenny's death.

[@Bloomser]

Kind of but you could argue it was all a ploy to get the stem cells to build the pizza place at the end

[@JayTowers901]

@@Bloomser he saved Kyle's life in the episode "smug"

[@Bloomser]

Yea but even with that you could argue it was just so he still had someone to make fun of all the time

[@definitelynotsiri4058]

@@JayTowers901 Every part of that episode was to make it very clear he saved Kyle’s life for purely selfish at best reasons. Please rewatch the episode.

[@doughboy_m2]

@@definitelynotsiri4058 if it was purely for selfish reason he would’ve kept bring it up instead of choosing not to say anything

[@hrhnicholasable]

To me, all of the internet disaster stories like Chris Chan, Wingsofredemption, Darksyde Phil, etc. all are like Cartman in one way or another, but with real social consequences to the ignorant things they do.

[@optimusprime20007]

That's true

[@clasping8219]

big ups

[@markhirsch6301]

Let's just hope he doesn't end up like Chris Chan

[@rosestar1324]

Good video. I like that you mentioned that Eric technically can't be diagnosed with any of these labels until you're 18. Many youtubers either don't research enough to know or ignore that fact for the sake of their video.

[@amethystgrace]

Video essays are extremely interesting to watch, especially when about things most people wouldn’t consider “important enough” to write a genuine essay about. This video is so detailed and makes sense in explaining Cartman’s personality.

[@Marcus616]

I’ve been rewatching the series from Season 1 and I’ve noticed one special skill from Cartman: He seems to know how to communicate in Spanish. Like in the episode where they are supposed to save the rainforest, the one with Stan’s future self, and the one with the Peruvian flute band. Those are the ones that come to mind. I just found it pretty interesting.

[@Marcus616]

Also German apparently.

[@dieechteelke4725]

@@Marcus616 thats not german

[@Marcus616]

@@dieechteelke4725 in the episode “Funnybot?” If it’s not German, my mistake.

[@dieinfire920]

Speaking four words in Spanish, two of them poorly, doesn’t mean you speak Spanish.

[@finkployd6110]

I think Cartman might also have some kind of dissociative identity disorder. The way he defers to made up characters like his stuffed animals, Cupid Me and Mitch Conner kind of points to that.

[@emimimix]

actually super curious on Cartman's mom, as I noticed in recent seasons that she's been trying to be a good parent towards Cartman but even she is falling victim to his insatiable needs. especially in the current season atm where (spoilers) she tries to be a good mom by providing a stable income so the two of them can just live in their current house but because he doesn't like her having a job, not only does he ruin her career but puts the town in shambles. it forces her to make the choice of providing only for Cartman's wants instead of needs, and you can tell its taking a toll on her lol.

[@mrmanman1]

My sister is studying phycology and loves South Park so I might show her this video

[@Bloomser]

Dope !

[@mrmanman1]

@@Bloomser also funny way to end the video that is truly evil

[@chinoyomaji288]

@@mrmanman1 tell us how it goes

[@Cyburim]

Let us know what she thinks pls!!

[@mrmanman1]

@@Cyburim She loved it

[@qwert314oderwat]

In the episode "Cartman's Death" he was definitely not well aware of what his mother likes to do in her freetime lol

[@trevorturner8037]

Bruh he thought she was crying from his “death”🤣

[@meuwu6348]

I´ve got another example of Cartman showing empathy. Anyone remember that episode where the school photo of Kenny was taken with his butt looking at the camera, instead of his face? And then some people with butt faca though they finally fond their lost child? Well, Cartman lost the ability to laugh, as he say, because he had just seen the funniest thing ever. Howerever, at the end, the episode let us know that the reason why cCartman couldn´t laugh anymore was because he was feeling bad for the buttfaces parents. Amazing, right?

[@zealous4665]

The fact that an elementary school child would most certainly receive the death sentence for the things he’s done says it all

[@screwed_up_screwball]

Can I also mention that this can only get worse from here. It's obvious Cartman uses his age to his advantage with a lot of his plans, but as he gets older it's gonna be a lot harder to feign innocence. That and the fact that Liane will probably lose interest in him at some point. It looks to me like she uses him for companionship and being needed, but when Cartman gets old enough to take care of himself, she's most likely be leaving him alone a lot, causing him to act out more. Coming from a kid whose parents weren't around alot growing up, it's really easy to do horrible things since nobody's gonna stop you. Teachers will call your parents but they won't pick up or anything, so in the end, nothing happens and you face no consequences. However, it might just be me but does it seem like Cartman's been getting better? Like, he's actually empathetic to Stan and later Kenny in the most recent specials. He's not as violent and who knows what could happen in the exclusive event coming up. Did this have a point? Maybe. Was it well executed? not at all

[@bluebird1914]

I mean I've heard that in the COVID special, Cartman is actually a nice person so all of that happening makes sense.

[@charlotte46366]

pfp isn’t it bud

[@DemiIsNotHere]

In the vaccination special, he takes special care of Kenny until it affects him. And i think that's something really prevalent with him. He does consider the boys "friends" he even (if sometimes unwilling) helps them when the situation needs it... Except when it starts affecting him.

[@soft_fuzzy_man]

@@charlotte46366 fr, the username is horrible too..

[@macrons593]

You called it in the new movie

[@TheHalfLeft]

I always loved cartman, because I grew up knowing someone very similar, obviously toned down to a realistic level, but still very crude, offensive and manipulative.

[@emma_nutella58]

I’m pretty sure it was quicker to say the crimes Cartman hasn’t committed

[@DaunteFalck]

I would love to see a new version of this that goes into adult Cartman's mindset

[@verymerry610berry]

It would be interesting to go into the psychology of all the characters tbh. Main ones + butters at least. Poor kids have suffered so much trauma :(

[@genepeebody303]

You misspelled satan Edit: bro I was legit dying when you tried to list all of his crimes in one breath

[@NevanSlone]

The really sad part is he’s had 2 different futures where he changes and is successful, but is changed for the worse by the end of the episode.

[@LeMangeurDePatates]

This is really well paced, great job

[@marslowell3992]

Cartman has potential to become a powerful dictator but he's sensitive about his insecurities

[@nutmeg1945]

I feel like conduct disorder would fit as well. It's very similar to ASPD, but it doesn't necessarily entail a complete lack of empathy, and it can be diagnosed before the age of 18.

[@definitelynotsiri4058]

^^^

[@PIB2000]

I can also see ODD being another one, and potentially schizoaffective disorder.

[@M00nlightsubs]

@@PIB2000 YES ODD THATS WHAT IM SAYINGG I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH IT FOR A LONGGG TIME UNTIL I GOT DIAGNOSED W AUTISUM BUT MY BROTHER HAS ODD AND HONESLY IM P SURR He hAS IT

[@TheAlmightyCornholioo]

6:55 16 dollars and 12 cents !

[@beauguintu9077]

damn the ending where kenny just cried because he wont be able to experience that for years, made me feel really bad...

[@SomeNiceMovies]

The last one was one of few times southpark almost made me cry. I felt such empathy for Kenny being quite poor during a time in my childhood. He's probably been waiting for this for forever

[@rashira9610]

Chicken is cheap though. Ask me how I know.

[@QuincyLincoln]

I never thought of it that way but it does make perfect sense.

[@ghostrecon3834]

Perfect analysis. He’s the embodiment of what someone with NPD looks and acts like. This coming from someone who recently got out of a three year relationship with a covert narcissist. Keep up the videos man, can’t wait till you finally get the recognition you deserve!

[@chonchjohnch]

Everyone who gets out of a relationship claims the other has some kind of pathology. Grow up dude, it’s your fault.

[@ghostrecon3834]

@@chonchjohnch Lmao you know literally nothing about me or my relationship. “Grow up dude, it’s your fault” you sound like a narcissist yourself buddy. If that’s how you respond to and treat random people on the internet that you don’t even know, you are the one who needs to “grow up”. What a pathetic projection.

[@user-fr2fm3ri3w]

I’m a covert narcissist and my girl and I have been together for 2 years. She loves me and I love me too

[@M00nlightsubs]

I think cartmen has PSTD and probably ODD and maybe some other stuff

[@sstrryn]

i just feel SO bad for Butters, he ends up being the victim most of the time ):

[@Gszarco94]

Man, i recently discovered your channel and the quality of the content you produce is amazing! Please do a video about the psychology of Butters, he is also a VERY interesting character.

[@jonny9370]

Generally speaking, the best way to differentiate between psycopathy and sociopathy is that the origin of the former is genetic, whereas the origin of the latter is behavioral/environmental. Psychopaths cannot be cured with our current medical treatment; they are unable to be rehabilitated in the same way that a sociopath might have a chance at rehabilitation with proper and intensive behavioral therapy if caught early enough. Plenty of sources will conflate these two, which is fair enough, but in my personal experience with psychology this is often the best way that the two conditions can be defined and seperated (at the end of the day they both share extremely similar symptoms, so the point could be functionally moot outside of theraputic purposes).

[@TheTGOAC]

"but in my personal experience with psychology" E.g. this video

[@krad4668]

Ngl Cartman is the funniest character in the history of south park

[@DarknessAnimz]

Along with Randy and Mr. Mackey

[@crappyoneshots6410]

I'd argue Garrison

[@dianalovesbagelss8029]

In the history of television probably

[@vitsboy46]

Love this channel...... I was always sad people don't make enough break down videos of South Park and then I discovered this channel ♥️

[@Jack-kx5rf]

I think that Cartman does have empathy, I believe that he feels it very strongly but he is so narcissistic that he just doesn't care. I don't believe that he could be so good at manipulation and have his ability to brainwash without genuinely being able to put himself in other people's shoes.

[@adrianscorch]

If you make Kenny cry, you might be evil.

[@servers884]

Well kenny cried when cartman ate all chicken skin off the kfc chicken

[@jerm70]

@@servers884 Kenny has to go home to eat half a frozen waffle.

[@servers884]

@@jerm70 😭

[@boofstain1508]

cartman will never be as impulsive as randy tho he went from a chef to weed farmer and alot in between

[@JohnSmithsu2006]

Also a geologist and apart of a boy band

[@theyascrop9452]

I thought this was America?

[@DemiIsNotHere]

Randy seems to have identity issues tho.

[@rashira9610]

He calms down when he gets jerked off tho.

[@esmin2400]

@@theyascrop9452 I love how that gag never gets old

[@SkullKrusher017]

Cartman is an awful person but hes just so lovable for some reason. Kinda like Rick from Rick and Morty

[@kevinnigins9488]

@свевский Rick has actual reasons to be a Nihilist though. I think many of us would have his mind set given what he’s been through

[@user-ti2ph6qb1y]

I can’t believe I just found you. I’ve been obsessed with South Park for almost a decade now and I’m neurotic too (and have too much free time)…and here you are, in 2022, pounding out long videos on South Park? Bless I’m about to binge watch your channel

[@mustafasalman7147]

Did the whole thing with Heidi prove to Cartman that some people do love you unconditionally but thanks to Butters that perception was ruined, and he was so desperate to believe that someone could truly love him that he denied Butters’s idea of Heidi “pooping on his heart”

[@k4rzl]

HE ATE THE WHOLE GODDAMN SKIN

[@ClavaChrisT0w]

In the covid timeskip cartman actually fixed himself well aside from his children and after kenny time travels to destroy covid recreating a new timeline causing cartman to be normal again...

[@emma_nutella58]

You know he’s bad when he’s considered more evil then the devil

[@mechajay3358]

People say it's what Scott Tenorman is what made Cartman the terrible, but I say it's him eating his friends KFC that solidified him as the worst human being.

[@shadowsightcore7917]

I think it’s important to acknowledge the implications of Cartman being sexually abused and how in the earlier seasons he was very tame but only grew to be a worse person

[@somaliking4207]

Who was he abused by

[@michaelboyle7281]

@@somaliking4207 The only instance I can think of is in the episode "The Simpsons Did It" when Cartman was out getting semen to mix with the sea people, and met this dude in an ally who gave him semen for free as long as he "sucked it out of a little hose" (the dudes shlong) and I guess you could count the time he was anal probed by the aliens. Also he's probably noticed his moms sexual encounters a few times, like in the death of eric cartman, where he hears his mom being absolutely pounded by the toilet repair man, but he assumes what he hears is his mother crying that he is dead. Even if that was what he thought it was, once he has the realization that he was never dead and just being ignored, he probably would question the real reason why his mother was acting that way. Almost forgot the whole "Catman Joins N.A.M.B.L.A" episode too, which is literally about him accidentally getting himself into potentially sexual situations with many older men, even posing in a speedo for pictures for the men. God, I know way too much of this show

[@evergreenrider]

Alien anal probe just being repressed memories of his abuse. I can dig that theory

[@blandface9957]

@@somaliking4207 I believe it was his uncle

[@animefan2454]

​@@blandface9957 and a guy named Ralph who tricked him into giving him a Bj

[@justyouraveragegamerx1495]

Great video. You brought up some excellent points!

[@nmoney6655]

That Ginger episode was actually the first time we ever seen a sociopath in work

[@bluebird1914]

Damn I had no idea that Eric's mom neglected him like that. I haven't seen a lot of South Park, so I presumed that his mom was the exact opposite. I thought she was your typical "Smothering mom who lets their child.get away with shit because they can't stand up for themselves." Kind of mom.

[@macrons593]

That's the definition of what she was to a letter. As the seasons progressed, she started to stand up for herself more.

[@bienemaja4007]

When you mentioned the nature vs nurture thing, I thought of season 2 episode 16 "Merry Christmas Charlie Manson", in which they visit Erics family in Nebraska and it turns out that they all are basically the same, just a bunch of Cartmans. All the "No kitty, thats a bad kitty" and "No kitty this is my pot pie" comes from them.

[@yourmom-qn6nb]

What really shows Cartman’s lack of empathy is the TP episode in season 7, when Stan, Kenny, and Kyle express how they feel empathy. The three of them feel bad for other people, but Cartman cannot possibly fathom why they feel guilty. Him trying to understand empathy-and not being able to-really exemplifies his sociopathic tendencies.

[@coupleodevs]

you got me back into south park with the controversies video now i listen to safe space daily, keep it up man

[@iglock4084]

as an aspiring psychologist and a huge fan of eric + south park i absolutely love this lmao

[@CrossoverFan4life]

And yet Cartman isn't the most insane or evil character in the show.

[@berlyngrey9242]

Who is then? Cuz honestly I think he's more dangerous than Satan and Saddam Hussein put together

[@Bloomser]

I think he’s probably referring to Mr. Garrison

[@berlyngrey9242]

@@Bloomser oh that. Yeah that I can see

[@ally-nb1cx]

@@Bloomser lmaoo

[@CrossoverFan4life]

@@Bloomser you're right on that I was talking about Garrison. I was also referring to Randy in the In sanity department.

[@spineldinrebrick9882]

Kenny's crying at the very end there just breaks my heart

[@flore2243]

also his friends bully him the first 3 seasons... and ALSO he was sexually abused by his uncle AND his cousin... also, the town were they live is messed up (that's the whole point of SP) so the enviroment is important, ppl gives him power sometimes to do and say stupid things... Liane is not the only one with responsabilities here, I guess...