Psychology & Hollywood

Psychology & Hollywood

In this project, students will delve into Hollywood’s portrayal of psychopathology.  Many of these films are rated R for language or adult issues.  Some are PG-13.  While many of you are 17 and 18 years old, please check with your parents to make sure your selection is suitable for your family.

Part I:  Watch a film that features some psychological concepts we have studied in class.  There are hundreds of films that could go on this list.  Mine is an approved list.  A novel may be substituted for a film.  Write a summary.  [1-2 pages]
 



Part II:  Research the psychosis or disorder.  Start with information in the textbook.  Report on it in Part III.
 




Part III:  Present your findings to the class.  Compare Hollywood's version to reality.  Discuss scenes, dialogue, and characters.  Discuss where Hollywood got it right and/or where Hollywood was way off base.  An accompanying PowerPoint or Prezi or another visual would be appropriate here as would showing us film clips.  [5 minute presentation]
The written pieces must be double-spaced in 12-point font.  The font must be New Times Roman or similar.

PLAGIARISM: The practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own; a piece of written work or an idea that somebody has copied and claimed as his or her own. Plagiarized work will earn a zero.   You may have to take a course on plagiarism or you may have to re-take the course for credit.

 

Good Sources:

nimh.nih.gov apa.org webmd.com Psychology Today (periodical) livescience.com

	Angwinesque	Acceptable	Poor
Part I	Synopsis is complete; it contains all major characters and major events	Synopsis is somewhat complete; it contains most major characters and most events	Synopsis is incomplete; it contains some major characters and some major events
Part II	Research is extensive and obvious; student knows a great deal about the psychological concepts	Research is obvious; student has a good idea of the psychology concepts	Research is not obvious; report does not indicate extensive knowledge of psychological concepts
Part III	Speaks clearly, extensive eye contact, superior use of examples comparing psychological concepts to Hollywood	Speaks somewhat clearly, good eye contact, good use of examples comparing psychological concepts to Hollywood	Fails to speak clearly, poor eye contact, little use of examples comparing psychological concepts to Hollywood
Grammar/Spelling	No mistakes	Some mistakes	Many mistakes
Citations	Perfect MLA format	Some mistakes	Missing or not in MLA format
Use of Class time	Always on task	Usually on task	Often off-task

Part II Questions to Guide Research

1.  What is the name of the disorder?

2.  What are the symptoms?

3.  Is it curable?

4.  How does it affect the person long/short term?

5.  How is it treated?

6.  Is the disorder biological/cognitive/social/behaviorally based?

7.  What age group does the disorder affect?

8.  How common is the disorder?

9.  What are the early signs of the disorder?

10.  Are there behaviors or other factors that can lead to developing the disorder?

11.  How does it affect home life and relationships?

12.  How does it affect other people/family/friends/coworkers?

13.  Does it require hospitalization?

14.  How are people viewed with this disorder?  Is there a stigma attached to having it?

15.  Are there side effects to the treatments/medication used to treat the disorder?

16.  Does the disorder get progressively worse over time or stay the same?

17.  What is the history of the disorder?

18.  Is it a companion disorder?  Is it connected with another disorder?

19.  Is it recognized by the DSM-V?

20.  Is it fatal?

21.  Is it often misdiagnosed?

22.  Is it hereditary?

Tips for an Angwinesque Presentations

• No more than 25 words per slide
• Text should be no smaller than 30-point
• No more than 10-ish slides
• Be entertaining; use humor when appropriate.
• DO NOT SIMPLY READ YOUR SLIDES TO THE AUDIENCE!
• Make eye contact with everyone in the room.
• Explain your topic with stories, good stories keep the audience interested.
• Have fun...or try.  Genuine enthusiasm for your topic is contagious.