Case Study Using Film

Home , Anne Archer, Claire Danes, George Clooney, Holly Hunter, Jodie Foster, Julia Roberts

PSY 111: Introduction to Psychology Learning Unit 9: Instructions

Some individuals feel that the representation of reality is lacking in films created by Hollywood. This can lead to misunderstandings about psychology in general. Select one of the films and identify one character in the film listed below and review the film as a student of Psychology, not as a movie–go-er.

In essay format, include a short summation of the selected movie by discussing it from a psychological viewpoint. 1-2 paragraphs only. You are to define, explain, and discuss the mental illness depicted in the film by discussing each of the following questions or statements.

 Identify the character and the psychological disorder/s displayed in the film. Define the disorder.  Did the movie accurately portray the symptoms of the disorder? Was this an accurate picture of the disorder? Explain in detail and provide examples from the movie to support your conclusions.  Discuss any inaccuracies and misconceptions perpetrated of the disorder throughout the movie. Provide examples to support your conclusions. If the disorder was misrepresented explain how this could be misleading to a typical movie–goer.  What is the danger of incorrect portrayals? Can incorrect portrayals contribute to the stigma of mental illness? Explain.  Do not discuss your opinion of what you think of the movie in general. This is not a movie review.

This essay should include 3–4-pages of content (12 fonts, Times New Roman, double–spaced) with a title page, introduction, body, and conclusion and a reference page (3-5 sources). This essay should be free of any grammatical errors. Grading will be based on the content and addressing all components of assignment. Submit your case study to the appropriate area in the course and to Turnitin.

o Copycat (1995, Sigourney Weaver, Holly Hunter, Dermot Mulroney o Gone Girl (2014, Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris) o Sybil (1976 Drama: Sally Field, Joann Woodward, Brad Davis) o Matchstick Men (2003 Drama: Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, and Alison Lohman) o Split (2016, James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Haley Lu Richardson) o Fatal Attraction (1987 Drama: Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, Anne Archer) o Sleeping with the Enemy (1991, Julia Roberts, Patrick Bergin, Kevin Anderson) o The Aviator (2004, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett) o Silence of the Lambs (1991, Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins) o First Blood (1982, Sylvester Stallone) o The Good Son (1993, Macaulay Culkin) o Mercury Rising (1998, Bruce Willis, Alex Baldwin) o Temple Grandin (2010, Biography & Drama, Claire Danes, Julia Ormond, David Strathairn) o Foxcatcher (2014, Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, Vanessa Redgrave) o Michael Clayton (2007, George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton) o American Sniper (2014, Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner)

If a film is not on the list that you wish to use, contact your professor. Prior approval is needed.