High School Psychology/Film Study

Studying psychology through film offers a compelling and effective approach to understanding human behavior, mental processes, and cinema's influence on viewers.  Analyzing films allows students to delve into psychological concepts, interpret character motivations, and critically assess the accuracy of psychological portrayals on screen.

Here's a breakdown of how studying psychology in film works:

1. Understanding Psychological Concepts:

• • Analyzing character behavior:

Films offer a unique lens to examine various psychological concepts like personality, emotions, motivations, and social interactions. Students can analyze character actions, dialogue, and interactions to understand how these concepts manifest in fictional narratives. 

• • Exploring mental health:

Movies often depict characters dealing with mental health conditions, providing a glimpse into the experiences and challenges associated with these conditions. Students can learn about disorders like PTSD, anxiety, depression, and dissociative identity disorder through film. 

• • Investigating psychological theories:

Films can illustrate psychological theories like cognitive dissonance, attachment theory, or memory models. By examining how these theories are portrayed, students can deepen their understanding of these concepts. 

2. Developing Critical Thinking Skills:

• Evaluating accuracy of portrayals:
  Students can learn to critically evaluate how films depict psychological concepts and whether these portrayals are accurate or nuanced. They can compare film representations with scientific research and psychological theories. 

• Analyzing filmmaking techniques:
  Students can analyze how filmmaking techniques like cinematography, editing, and sound design are used to create specific psychological effects on viewers. 

• Examining the filmmaker's perspective:
  Students can explore the filmmaker's intentions and how their understanding of psychology might have influenced the film's portrayal of psychological themes. 

3. Engaging with the Material:

• Experiential learning:

Films can offer an engaging and immediate way to explore psychological themes, allowing students to connect with the material on an emotional level. 

• Case studies:

Films can serve as case studies for exploring various psychological concepts and phenomena. 

• Discussion and analysis:

By combining the study of film with the principles of psychology, students can develop a deeper understanding of human behavior, enhance their critical thinking skills, and gain valuable insights into the human experience. 

4. Examples of films used to teach psychology:

• • Inside Out (2015): A good film for exploring emotions, memory, and the inner world of a child. 

  • A Beautiful Mind (2001): Depicts the life of John Nash, a mathematician with schizophrenia. 

  • Memento (2000): Illustrates anterograde amnesia and the challenges of memory and identity. 

  • The Silence of the Lambs (1991): Explores themes of evil, criminal psychology, and the nature of good and evil. 

  • The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012): Addresses social anxiety, trauma, and mental health challenges. 

  • One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975): Examines the treatment of mental illness and the individual's struggle against institutional power.