Psychology professor Scott Allison is a leading expert on heroism science, researching the concept from a variety of perspectives and mediums, including in literature, television, and film. He explores how we construct heroes, why we need them, and why we are sometimes happy when they fall. He is an editor of the Heroism Science journal and has written numerous books on heroes and leadership. 

His most recent work focuses on a Netflix show that’s been a binge watching hit during the pandemic — “The Queen’s Gambit.” Allison was so taken by the show, which won two Golden Globes Sunday, he self-published a small booklet offering an analysis of the main character's story.

“Beth Harmon’s Hero’s Journey: The Psychology of Heroism in The Queen’s Gambit” focuses on what Allison calls the ultimate underdog.

“Beth Harmon is a young woman living in a man’s world,” Allison said. “She is dirt poor. She’s lost not one, but two, mothers. She’s addicted to drugs and alcohol, and because of the severity of her losses she’s emotionally stunted. She may be a chess genius, but she’s an American playing a game that has been dominated by the Russians for decades. As we watch Beth’s life unfold, it becomes clear to us that her most formidable opponent in life is not her mother, her addictions, or even the male-dominated world in which she lives. Her chief adversary is herself.“

Despite these challenges, Harmon rises to the top of the chess world. “In my opinion, she ranks among the finest and most inspiring hero characters in television history,” he said.

Allison says that good storytelling doesn’t merely entertain but conveys the truths of life, and in this case, highlights that heroes are flawed people.

“We tend to idealize our heroes, expecting them to be perfect in every way,” he said. “We know, of course, that heroes are flawed, troubled, and suffering, just like every person. What sets heroes apart is their ability to transform themselves and commit to their own personal growth, which we see in Beth Harmon.”