Introduction
A person does not need to commit a single major wrongdoing to become a “bad” person. Sometimes small compromises, overlooked ethical violations, and seemingly harmless lies we tell ourselves gradually transform our identity over time. The television series Better Call Saul does more than portray a lawyer’s descent into the criminal world; it offers a psychological lens through which we can observe how an individual can drift away from their own values.
The Need To Be Liked Or The Need To Be Accepted?
A significant portion of human behavior is closely related to how we are perceived by others. We all want to be appreciated, valued, and accepted. However, this need can sometimes lead individuals to distance themselves from their own values, and even to deny parts of themselves. The search for approval can be a healthy source of motivation. Yet when it becomes excessive and uncontrolled, it can turn into a powerful psychological force capable of reshaping one’s identity. In the world of television, one of the most striking examples of this transformation is the gradual evolution of Jimmy McGill into Saul Goodman. This change is not merely an ethical shift or a professional decision; it is also a dramatic example of how the need for approval—a deep psychological need—can redefine a person’s sense of self.
What Is The Need For Approval? The Dark Side Of A Psychological Need
The need for approval refers to an individual’s reliance on others’ recognition and acceptance in order to feel valuable. This need is a fundamental part of human nature. However, in some individuals, it becomes so intense that it turns into the primary motivation guiding their behavior. From a psychological perspective, a strong need for approval is often associated with the following experiences:
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Conditional love during childhood
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Frequent criticism or humiliation
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Being valued primarily for achievements
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Low self-esteem
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An inadequacy schema
At this point, an important distinction emerges:
Healthy individuals feel pleased by approval; dependent individuals feel they need approval. The character of Saul Goodman represents the second category.
Growing Up In The Shadow Of A Sibling: Building An Unvalidated Identity
To understand Saul’s psychological development, it is essential to examine his relationship with his brother, Chuck McGill. Chuck is a successful, disciplined lawyer who is respected by society. Jimmy, on the other hand, is often labeled as irresponsible, unreliable, and troublesome. Such sibling dynamics can deeply influence an individual’s self-perception. In individuals who are constantly compared to others, the following psychological processes may develop:
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Feelings of inadequacy
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Excessive effort to gain approval
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Identity confusion
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Rebellious behavior
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A tendency to take risks
Jimmy’s decision to complete law school and become a lawyer can be understood not only as a professional goal, but as a psychological need: to be seen as valuable in his brother’s eyes. When this effort is not recognized, individuals often choose one of two paths:
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Withdrawal
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Rejection of rules Jimmy chooses the second path.
“This Is Just Who I Am”: The Psychological Power Of Labeling
Social labels are powerful psychological tools that shape behavior. When a person is repeatedly described as “irresponsible,” “unreliable,” or “dishonest,” these labels can gradually become part of their identity. In psychology, this phenomenon is known as a self-fulfilling prophecy. For years, Jimmy McGill received messages such as:
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You are unreliable
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You will never change
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You are a failure
Over time, these messages can evolve into a core belief: “This is just who I am.” Once this belief becomes internalized, individuals may stop trying to change their behavior and instead reorganize their identity around the label. The identity of Saul Goodman can be seen as a direct outcome of this psychological process.
The Mask Of Approval Seeking: Humor And Charisma
Saul Goodman is often perceived as witty, energetic, and confident. However, from a psychological perspective, these behaviors frequently function as defense mechanisms. Humor is one of the most common defense mechanisms individuals use to reduce emotional pain. Saul’s constant use of humor serves several functions:
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Hiding the fear of rejection
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Neutralizing criticism
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Creating a sense of control
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Gaining social acceptance For this reason, Saul’s charisma is not only a personality trait; it is also a coping strategy.
Crossing Boundaries For Approval: The Process Of Moral Flexibility
When the need for approval intensifies, individuals may gradually normalize behaviors they would not have previously accepted. This process is known in psychology as moral flexibility (or moral disengagement). Saul’s behavior provides a classic example of this process. The starting point is often a small violation:
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A minor lie
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Bending the rules
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A risky decision As these behaviors are repeated, an individual’s internal boundaries begin to shift. During this process, several psychological mechanisms become active:
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Rationalization
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Desensitization
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Externalization of responsibility
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Gradual normalization
Eventually, individuals may begin to tell themselves: “I had no other choice.” This statement is one of the most common indicators of moral flexibility.
Seeking Acceptance Rather Than Success: The Relationship Between Identity And Self-Esteem
The story of Saul Goodman is not primarily about the pursuit of success, but about the pursuit of acceptance. This distinction is psychologically significant. Individuals who are success-oriented tend to ask: “How can I do this better?” Individuals who are approval-oriented tend to ask: “What will people think about me?” This mental difference shapes the direction of behavior. In individuals with a strong need for approval, the following characteristics are frequently observed:
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High sensitivity to criticism
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Fear of making mistakes
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Risky decision-making
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Impulsive behavior
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Self-sabotage The character of Saul Goodman demonstrates nearly all of these features.
Self-Sabotage: The Hidden Outcome Of Approval Seeking
An intense need for approval can sometimes undermine success rather than support it. As individuals get closer to success, their fear of rejection may increase. In psychology, this pattern is referred to as self-sabotage. This pattern appears repeatedly in Saul’s life:
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Making risky decisions when approaching success
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Damaging relationships based on trust
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Violating rules
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Choosing short-term satisfaction over long-term gain The underlying fear behind these behaviors is often:
“If I succeed, expectations will increase—and if I fail, I will disappoint others.” For this reason, some individuals may unconsciously choose failure.
A Transformation Of Identity: From Jimmy McGill To Saul Goodman
Identity transformation is rarely the result of a single event. Instead, it develops through the accumulation of small psychological processes over time. Jimmy McGill’s transformation into Saul Goodman can be explained through the following stages:
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Need for approval
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Experience of rejection
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Identity confusion
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Rejection of rules
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Formation of a new identity From a psychological perspective, this process can be understood not as a simple character change, but as a coping strategy.
The Quiet Path To Losing Oneself
Saul Goodman’s story teaches us an important lesson: People do not usually change because they are bad. They change because they feel unloved. Small compromises made in the pursuit of approval can gradually become part of one’s identity. And once that identity becomes established, individuals begin to defend not only their behavior, but themselves. Perhaps the most unsettling truth of this story is this: By the time a person realizes they have lost themselves, they have often already become someone else.