Psychology Paper

ASSIGNMENT 08

C04I Introduction to Psychology

Directions: Be sure to save an electronic copy of your answer before submitting it to
Ashworth College for grading. Unless otherwise stated, answer in complete sentences,
and be sure to use correct English, spelling and grammar. Sources must be cited in APA
format. Your response should be four (4) double-spaced pages; refer to the “Assignment
Format” page located on the Course Home page for specific format requirements.

Part A
For Part A of this assignment, choose a movie, book, or television show that depicts a
character or character(s) suffering from mental illness. Write a paper analyzing a
character’s illness in terms of one or more of the theoretical perspectives (e.g., biological,
psychoanalytic, cognitive-behavioral, biopsychosocial) presented in the text.
1. Describe the character’s diagnosis in terms of the DSM-IV. Make sure to include
two (2) criteria that the character meets.
2. Describe one (1) perspective(s) of mental illness that best explains the
development of the character’s symptoms, along with two (2) facts to support
your position.
3. Describe any treatment received by the character. Describe two (2) reasons that
you would recommend similar or different treatment. If the character did not
receive treatment, describe the type of treatment you would recommend with
two (2) supporting facts.
Suggested movies include:
 Beautiful Mind (2001).
 Girl, Interrupted (1999).
 Fatal Attraction (1987).
 Sybil (1977).
 One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975).
 Play Misty for Me (1971).
Suggested television shows include:
 Wilfred.
 Perception.
 Alphas.

Part B

Suggested television shows include:
 Wilfred.
 Perception.
 Alphas.

Part B

For Part B of this assignment, go online to the following Web page:
http://www.prisonexp.org/ Take a tour through the slide show, which shows actual
footage of the Stanford Prison study.
After viewing the slideshow, respond to the following questions. Your response should
be one (1) page in length.
1. Describe one (1) factor that prevented “good guards” from objecting or
countermanding the orders from tough or bad guards.
2. Describe one (1) reason why prisoners try to work within the arbitrary prison
system to effect a change in it (e.g., setting up a Grievance Committee), rather
than trying to dismantle or change the system through outside help.
3. Describe two (2) factors would lead prisoners to attribute guard brutality to the
guards’ disposition or character, rather than to the situation.
4. Was it ethical to conduct this study? Provide two (2) reasons to support your
position.
Grading Rubric
Please refer to the rubric on the next page for the grading criteria for this assignment.