Developmental Psychology

Film Analysis Paper
Papers Must Be Submitted in the Specified Dropbox in the Week 13 folder
100 points
Introduction:
In addition to entertaining us, movies also offer detailed portrayals of human behavior and human development. Your
task in this paper is to analyze, from a developmental perspective, the behaviors and events depicted in one of the
films listed below. You are not being asked to critique the film in terms of its value as a work of art or as
entertainment. Rather, you should think carefully about the human actions and events portrayed in the film. You
should then apply what you’ve learned this semester regarding the factors that predict and explain human
development.
Assignment:
Choose one of the films listed below. All of these films should be available to rent through popular online streaming
services (e.g. Netflix, Amazon, itunes, Hulu, etc). Many of these movies are also available at the public libraries or
through ECC’s library. If you are unable to obtain a copy of one of these films, please let me know.
• The Bucket List (2007) • Mr. Mom (1983)
• The Notebook (2004) • Where the Heart Is (2000)
• Thirteen (2003) • Look Who’s Talking (1989)
• Grumpy Old Men (1993) • About Schmidt (2002)
• Mean Girls (2004) • Inside Out (2015)
• The Story of Us (1999) • Spanglish (2004)
• Little Man Tate (1991) • Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
• Good Will Hunting (1997) • Big Daddy (1999)
• Parenthood (1989) • Nanny McPhee (2005)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010) • Juno (2007)
• Jack (1996)
• My Girl (1991)
You should view the film that you chose at least once. Then, after reviewing your class notes and readings, you
should identify 3 developmental theories or principles (e.g., Sternberg’s Theory of Love, Kubler-Ross’ Stages of
Grief, Erickson’s Psychosocial Theory, adolescent emotional development, Baumrind’s Parenting Styles, Social
Learning Theory, Operant Conditioning, etc.) that appear to be operating in the events or individuals depicted in the
film. For each theory or principle that you identify:
1. Describe in detail the theory or principle that you think is relevant (make sure that it is clear to me that you
understand the principle/theory). You should cite specific pages from the textbook when describing the
theory or principle. Please use APA format.
2. Briefly describe the relevant scene (you may assume that the reader has seen the film, so do not go into a
lengthy description of the film but make sure that the reader can easily identify the scene). Remember, the
purpose of this assignment is NOT to provide a summary and critique of the film!!
3. Elaborate on how the selected scene illustrates the theory or principle that you have identified as well as any
discrepancies between the scene and what the theory or principle would predict.
Your written analysis should be succinct and well-written (approximately 4-5 pages double-spaced). You should use
APA format when writing your paper. Be sure to include a short Introduction to orient the reader, as well as a short
Conclusion to tie things together. Your papers should include a title page and a reference page (even if the reference
page only includes the citations for the textbook and the movie). Papers should be saved in Microsoft Word OR as
a PDF file. They must be submitted in the specified dropbox located within the Week 13 folder by 11:59pm on
Sunday, December 5
th 2021. Late papers will be penalized by a grading deduction of 5 points per day. No late
papers will be accepted after 1 week past the assigned due date