Rowe
AP Psychology
At the Movies: Psychological Diagnosis
As an expert in the field of psychology, you have been given the task to provide a clinical diagnosis of a character in the feature film, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Your job is to watch the film, choose a character to assess and diagnose their mental state according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-IV-TR.
As you watch the film, take notes on the character in question, being certain to highlight the scenes that expose the symptomology of the illness as identified.
To complete the assessment you will use the SOAP note system of clinical assessment:
Subjective- information you have learned from the patient directly or people caring for the patient
Objective- observations and measurements that you have made during the examination (includes the general description of the patient)
Assessment: What do you feel is the patient’s clinical diagnosis and why? This is organized using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – you can access the DSM-IV-TR at – you MUST substantiate ALL diagnostic criteria cited using detailed scenes from the film
-demonstrate a clear understanding of the mental illness through research on the disorder in question, using books on the illness and Internet sources
-trace the progression of the illness when possible as well as its symptoms
-use evidence (scenes in the film) of the disorder according to its classification in DSM-IV-TR - include as part of your appendix the diagnostic criteria for the disorder
-complete a thorough diagnosis including a subtype diagnosis when required
Plan: For each problem what diagnostic testing will you order? How will you treat each problem?
As you write up this assignment, please be certain to use a logical sequencing structure and follow the SOAP note order. This essay is not a traditional five paragraph form but should be well-written, use thorough details and direct quotations as needed, and contain accurate grammar and punctuation.
WARNING: DO NOT USE THE NOVEL AS A SOURCE AND STEER CLEAR OF THE CLIFF NOTES! Students adding supplemental content (obtained from the novel) will be deducted points. The objective of this assignment is to use the film as your primary source, as though these events were real and the character you are diagnosing is real as well. Any and all sources (information and graphics) use must be accurately documented in APA format.