Research Project: Linking Psychology and Film
Project Guide
Brief Introduction: In addition to entertaining us, movies offer detailed portrayals of human behavior. Your task in this assignment is to analyze --from a psychological perspective-- the behaviors and events depicted in several of the films listed below. You are not being asked to critique the film in terms of its value as a work of art or as entertainment. Rather, you should think carefully about the human actions and events portrayed in the film. Then, to make sense of the material, apply what you’ve learned this semester regarding the factors that predict and explain human behavior. This assignment is comprehensive: I urge you to write about any/all concepts encountered in this course that might relate to the issues, interactions, and behaviors portrayed in the film(s).
Assignment: Choose two or more of the films listed below (Try to pick ones you’ve never seen before). View the films, and in a minimum of 8-10 pages, identify the psychological principles that appear to be operating in the events or individuals depicted in the film. Briefly summarize the movies. Then, diagnose the main character or characters and tell me why you think they have that diagnosis/diagnoses (what symptoms do they exhibit?). Describe in detail the psychological principles you believe are relevant. Use a theoretical framework (i.e. Psychoanalytic, Behavioral, Cognitive, Biological, etc.) to provide an explanation for the person’s behavior. Based on what you’ve learned in class, do you think the movie accurately portrayed the psychological or personality disorder? Why or why not? Do you think the movie portrayed people with mental illness in a positive, negative, or neutral way? Your discussion and analysis of the characters should tie everything together.
Have fun!
Films:
Sybil Taxi Driver
Ordinary People Primal Fear Fatal Attraction
As Good As It Gets Out of Depths King of Hearts
Girl Interrupted Single White Female Copycat
A Beautiful Mind A Clockwork Orange Fourth of July
Fearless Fisher King Network
One Hour Photo Shine The Couch Trip
The Bell Jar The Quiet Room An Angel at my Table
The Joy Luck Club Analyze This The Odd Couple
An Unquiet Mind Quiz Show Frances
28 Days Sophie’s Choice The Hours
I Never Promised You a Rose Garden Angel Baby House of Cards
Misery Clean, Shaven House of Yes
Arsenic and Old Lace The Deer Hunter Snake Pit
Cupid Don Juan DeMarco Sweethearts