<p>In a world where the Wealthy [are perceived to] abuse the Poor and Middle class, it is easy to subconsciously maintain sympathy for a 'honest' (passion to teach kids) and 'intelligent' (chem. teacher) person when they perform crime that it characterized in the 'Robin Hood' style.</p>

<p>I've never seen the show and so I'm sure that there are metaphors that make things more hazy than this, but these are broad societal themes in U.S. culture.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-08-20T20:50:03.217Z
I like your answer, but it seems to be based solely on your opinion. It sounds plausible, but can you provide some kind of reference?
Jens Kouros
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-08-20T21:53:04.170Z
@JensKouros no sorry, it's not an abstract and tested model - rather my and colleagues anecdotal 'field data' and contemporary interpretation.  Hard to prove; easy to explain.
New Alexandria
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-08-21T13:54:30.200Z
I think the statement "wealthy abuse the poor" should be reconsidered in favor of a better approach. I think its common for poor people to feel disdain for the rich (whether from jealousy or actual persecution), which still supports the Robinhood theory, but the rich abusing the poor can too easily be called into questioning. Many rich give to charities, etc. Its a good answer, but I think it could be refined a bit.
Randy
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-08-21T14:20:16.947Z
@Randy I'm discussing how people perceive things, and thus generate sentiment for robin-hood-criminality.... not the reality of things.
New Alexandria
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-08-21T14:26:05.337Z
I know, and I agree with you, but I'm just suggesting a stronger answer that is less prone to attack.
Randy
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-08-20T12:40:41.547Z
2013-08-21T14:27:17.107Z
2013-08-21T14:27:17.107Z
New Alexandria
<p>The show <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0903747/" rel="nofollow">"Breaking Bad"</a> is about: </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>A struggling chemistry teacher turns to a life of crime with the aim
  of providing for his family's future.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The protagonist of this show is meant to be sympathized during the beginning of the show. During that later parts of the show, the main character commits atrocious acts. Yet viewers still sympathize with him. </p>

<p>Why is this?<br>
Is it because it is a TV show and not real life?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-08-19T19:37:24.523Z
What evidence do you have that viewers in general still sympathize with Walter White?
John
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-08-20T10:56:10.377Z
@Skippy, while not Universal, generally psychologists like to use evidence for things like that and not assumptions based on personal experience.
John
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-08-20T10:59:16.137Z
My comment isn't on the answer. Just your comment to me here and the justification for it being a legitimate question in the first place.
John
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-08-20T11:17:29.520Z
I'm not sure I can provide the edit. It should either be, "I still have sympathy", which I'm not sure you do, or "it seems my friends have sympathy", which I'm not sure you want to say. If you don't have evidence for the viewer sympathy for Walter White and it's just about your personal sympathy, or a few friends, it becomes a matter of whether the question is even a valid site question anymore.
John
<social-psychology><emotion>
Gaining and maintaining viewer sympathy for an anti-social protagonist
walterwhite
# Gaining and maintaining viewer sympathy for an anti-social protagonist

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-08-19)

The show ["Breaking Bad"](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0903747/) is about:

> A struggling chemistry teacher turns to a life of crime with the aim
> of providing for his family's future.

The protagonist of this show is meant to be sympathized during the beginning of the show. During that later parts of the show, the main character commits atrocious acts. Yet viewers still sympathize with him.

Why is this?  
Is it because it is a TV show and not real life?

**Tags:** social-psychology, emotion

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What evidence do you have that viewers in general still sympathize with Walter White?  
> **username_1**: @Skippy, while not Universal, generally psychologists like to use evidence for things like that and not assumptions based on personal experience.  
> **username_1**: My comment isn't on the answer. Just your comment to me here and the justification for it being a legitimate question in the first place.  
> **username_1**: I'm not sure I can provide the edit. It should either be, "I still have sympathy", which I'm not sure you do, or "it seems my friends have sympathy", which I'm not sure you want to say. If you don't have evidence for the viewer sympathy for Walter White and it's just about your personal sympathy, or a few friends, it becomes a matter of whether the question is even a valid site question anymore.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2013-08-20. Score: 2

In a world where the Wealthy [are perceived to] abuse the Poor and Middle class, it is easy to subconsciously maintain sympathy for a 'honest' (passion to teach kids) and 'intelligent' (chem. teacher) person when they perform crime that it characterized in the 'Robin Hood' style.

I've never seen the show and so I'm sure that there are metaphors that make things more hazy than this, but these are broad societal themes in U.S. culture.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: I like your answer, but it seems to be based solely on your opinion. It sounds plausible, but can you provide some kind of reference?  
> **username_2**: @JensKouros no sorry, it's not an abstract and tested model - rather my and colleagues anecdotal 'field data' and contemporary interpretation.  Hard to prove; easy to explain.  
> **username_4**: I think the statement "wealthy abuse the poor" should be reconsidered in favor of a better approach. I think its common for poor people to feel disdain for the rich (whether from jealousy or actual persecution), which still supports the Robinhood theory, but the rich abusing the poor can too easily be called into questioning. Many rich give to charities, etc. Its a good answer, but I think it could be refined a bit.  
> **username_2**: @username_4 I'm discussing how people perceive things, and thus generate sentiment for robin-hood-criminality.... not the reality of things.  
> **username_4**: I know, and I agree with you, but I'm just suggesting a stronger answer that is less prone to attack.  

---

