INSTRUCTIONS: Choose and watch a film from the list provided. Write a paper analyzing the films coverage of abnormal behavior and psychopathology in light of what you are learning in this class, but some questions you might address are:
In what way does the depiction align or not align with that you have learned in class?
What behaviors of the characters reflect normal versus abnormal behavior? How did you determine this? Are there any gray areas that make it difficult to determine abnormality versus eccentricity or social deviance?
Does the depiction of a person with a psychological disorder change or influence any of your ideas about the disorder?
What might a psychologist, coming from one of the theoretical schools covered in class (e.g., cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, etc.) focus on towards understanding the person or disorder depicted in the film?
What questions does the film raise (or answer) regarding important issues about the disorder or abnormal psychology in general?
How (and how well) does the film capture the biopsychological approach to understanding psychological disorders, if at all? Specifically, what physiological, cultural/societal/historical and psychological factors combine to develop into the disorder you are seeing?
How (and how well) does the film capture the diathesis-stress approach to understanding psychological disorders, if at all? Specifically, what vulnerabilities are presented? What triggers are presented? How do vulnerabilities and triggers interact to result in disorder manifestation?
What aspects of psychopathology, as covered in this course, do you think were not reflected in the film and should have been? How might the film have done this?
In what ways does the film appropriately help the public understand psychological disorders? What good results from that depiction?
In what ways does the film inappropriately, or even destructively present psychological disorders? What harm results from that depiction?
COMPONENTS:
An introduction that provides:
A brief summary of the film (no longer than 1 page) as relevant to your main thesis/argument. This might include a summary of movie plot, storyline, and main characters.
What disorder is focused on (no longer than page) referring to DSM 5 diagnostic criteria to explain how the disorder is manifested or displayed in the film. Note: the film may depict more than one disorder or abnormal behavior. You will pick one to focus on in your paper.
A main thesis/argument which you will expand upon in greater detail in your paper. This could be as simple as this movie presents X disorder in a very realistic manner.
The body of the paper which will focus on your critical analysis. This section may reference specific parts of the film, but it must include science. A minimum of 5 peer-reviewed, professional work presenting data is required to support the points you make. Empirical/ experimental research articles and evidence will be the strongest support of your argument; however, other types of professional work can be included (i.e., case studies, meta-analysis, theoretical articles, etc). Note: use of a mix of professional work provides the best opportunity for a more thorough analysis.
A concluding section (no longer than page) that brings all elements of your analysis together. This should include: a restatement of your main thesis/argument; a brief recap of what you found; and, the relevance of your analysis/findings to the larger understanding of the disorder/abnormal behavior examined.
SPECIFICATIONS FOR FINAL PAPER: (deductions will be made if these instructions are not followed) The final paper should:
double-spaced, margins no wider than 1 inch around, and Times New Roman 12-point font.
Reference a minimum of 5 peer-reviewed, professional works from academic peer-reviewed journals note: case studies, meta-analysis, theoretical articles can be included should not be the focus of your investigations empirical studies are more powerful support for your thesis/argument
Be free of spelling and grammatical errors;
Be written in the third person;
Contain accurate description of resources used (films and scholarly work) and concepts examined;
Have in-text citations and reference page of all sources utilized. These citations and reference page must be formatted and written in APA format. *Important note: you must cite sources for both academic and popular media sources
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