Assignment Content
Film Critique
Select one of the following films and review the film as an Abnormal Psychology student, not just a movie-watcher. You will provide a summation of the selected movie and discuss it from a psychological perspective. You should explain and discuss the mental illness depicted in the film. Based on your knowledge from class and your text, determine if the film accurately depicts the disorder identified or if it is flawed. Be sure to discuss the observable behaviors that support this diagnosis.
APA format is required. 5 page minimum, plus an additional title page and reference page. A minimum of two sources is required, in addition to the film. These must be scholarly sources. Content should be double spaced, Times New Roman size 12 font. Make sure to proof-read to catch spelling and grammatical errors. See Schedule for due date. This assignment is worth 20 points.
As Good as it Gets (1997; Comedy, Drama, Romance; Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear)
-What disorder did Melvin (Jack Nicholson) have in the movie? –
-How did this disorder impact Melvin’s (Jack Nicholson) relationships with others?
-How does Melvin behave when his well-established routine is interrupted?
-What internal feelings might lead to those behaviors?
Dissociative Disorders
Select one of the following movies and answer the discussion questions that follow:
Primal Fear (1996 Drama/Suspense; Richard Gere, Edward Norton)
Me, Myself And Irene (2000 Comedy; Jim Carey, Renee Zellweger)
Identity (2003Thriller; John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peete)
Fight Club (1999 Action/Drama; Brad Pitt, Edward Norton)
Secret Window (2004 Thriller; Johnny Depp, John Turturro)
-Did the movie accurately portray the symptoms of the disorder?
-Was this an accurate clinical picture? Explain in detail and provide examples from the movie.
-Discuss any inaccuracies and misconceptions perpetrated of the disorder in the movie.
-If the disorder was misrepresented explain how this could be misleading to a typical movie-goer.
‐ Many reputable theorists believe DID does not exist. What do you think? Support your thoughts.
Personality Disorders
Select one of the following movies and answer the discussion questions that follow:
Girl Interrupted (1999 Drama; Angelina Jolie, Winona Ryder, Whoopie Goldberg)
Fatal Attraction (1987 Thriller/Drama; Glenn Close, Michael Douglas)
Natural Born Killers (1994 Thriller/Drama; Woody Harrelson, Juliette Lewis)
American Psycho (1999 Drama/Suspense; Christian Bale)
-Identify the character and the psychological disorder they display.
-Did the movie accurately portray the symptoms of the disorder?
-Was this an accurate clinical picture? Explain in detail and provide examples from the movie.
‐Discuss any inaccuracies and misconceptions perpetrated of the disorder in the movie.
-If the disorder was misrepresented explain how this could be misleading to a typical movie-goer.
-How is a personality disorder different from an Axis 1 disorder?
Schizophrenia
A Beautiful Mind (2001 Drama/Mystery; Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly).
Did the movie accurately portray the symptoms of the disorder?
What type of schizophrenia does John Nash (Russell Crowe) have?
Discuss any inaccuracies and misconceptions perpetrated of the disorder in the movie.
How did this disorder impact his relationships with others?
-Do you think the film implies that a person with schizophrenia can fully recover?
-Do you think the film implies that a person can recover without medication?
