PSY100 Class 2 assignments.

Writing Assignment 7: Clinical Psychology In Film

(Chapters 12 & 13)

This assignment gives you a chance to demonstrate what you have learned about clinical psychology and critical thinking this semester. By completing this assignment, you will be meeting aspects of several course goals including distinguishing & applying psychology in your everyday life.

Instructions: Write a short paper addressing all parts of the assignment described below. This option asks you to critically reflect on how popular media, specifically films, portrays psychological disorders & treatment. You will be using what you know about these topics to analyze a film of your choice.

Due date*: Thursday, December 4th

A. BEFORE you begin writing, select and watch a movie with a main character who experiences symptoms related to a psychological disorder and/or receives psychological treatment.

· Examples of movies appropriate for this assignment include:

· Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1990, distributed by MPI)

· Clean, Shaven (1995, Orion)

· One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975, HBO)

· Sybil (1977, CBS/Fox)

· Girl, Interrupted (1999, Sony Pictures)

· Of course, feel free to choose any movie you seeing fitting for this assignment. I am happy to discuss options or your selection beforehand.

B. When ready to WRITE, include the following information in your paper:

1. A BRIEF summary of the movie, just enough so that your reader can follow your reasoning throughout the rest of your paper.

2. A description of the character’s mental illness. Try to identify what type of disorder this character might have using the DSM-IV categories (e.g., Mood Disorders). At the very least discuss which psychological perspective (e.g., biological) best fits the character’s symptoms.

3. A discussion of the treatment the character receives (or should receive if none is depicted in the film). What type of therapy or approach does the clinician use? How successful is the treatment? What type of treatment would you recommend for the character? Why?

4. A critical analysis of psychology’s portrayal in the film. How accurate was it overall? Was the psychological disorder represented in a way that reflects the DSM-IV criteria? Was the treatment applied in an appropriate manner? What aspects of the film’s portrayal were inaccurate? How might this film influence the audience’s perceptions of psychological disorders & treatment? How could the film have better represented the subfield of clinical psychology?