Psychological Concepts in a Clockwork Orange

Psychological concepts in A Clockwork Orange

At the start of A Clockwork Orange, you are introduced to Alex and his droogs. They are at a milkbar drinking milk-plus. Milk, plus types of drugs that enhance Alex and his droogs ultraviolence, which is the main backdrop to the story that leads to other psychological events. Drug addiction is a complex disorder that is compulsive and often uncontrollable. This is a chronic relapsing disorder, and treatment for drug addiction is about as effective as treatments for chronic medical conditions.

Next Alex goes to a home in the country for a surprise visit of the ultra-violent kind. To persuade the wife of the house to let him in, Alex uses an intrinsic approach, pretending to be a helpless fellow in need of a telephone. This is a behavior used to fulfill an urge of Alex's, which is ultra-violence.

Later on back at the milk bar, or Korova, Alex smacks his brother for behaving inapropriately, saying, "...For being a bastard with no manners. Without a dook of an idea about how to comport yourself public-wise, O my brother." So at this point Alex is using positive punishment.

Alex heads to his house where he stays with his Dad and Mum. His mother, an older woman, has purple hair. This could be from the natural aging process of the eye, making his Mum think her hair is possibly silver or blond, when instead is a deep purple.