Character Study For This Paper: Select A Character From A Mo

Character Studyfor This Paper Select A Character From A Movie From Th

Character Study for This Paper Select A Character From A Movie From The

For this paper, select a character from a movie from the list below and write a case description of the character, including a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis. This paper should be two to three pages, not including title and reference pages, and include the following: Describe background information on the character, such as demographic information, family history, social history, medical history, academic and occupational history, etc. Describe the presenting problem, current symptoms, and current social functioning. Create a multi-axial DSM-IV diagnosis for the character. Analyze your differential diagnosis, including what other diagnoses you considered and why you ruled them out. Evaluate how accurately the movie’s depiction of the given form of abnormal psychology was based on what you’ve learned about the disorder. The following is a list of possible films you may select from. If you are unable to access one of the films below, you may select an alternate video from the Ashford University Library with approval from your instructor. A Beautiful Mind (2001) Adaptation (2002) American Beauty (1999) As Good As It Gets (1997) The Aviator (2004) Born on the Fourth of July (1989) Boys Don’t Cry (1999) Clean and Sober (1988) The Deer Hunter (1978) The Hours (2002) House of Sand and Fog (2003) Falling Down (1994) Fatal Attraction (1987) Fight Club (1999) The Fisher King (1991) Forrest Gump (1994) Full Metal Jacket (1987) Girl, Interrupted (1999) Identity (2003) K-Pax (2001) Leaving Las Vegas (1995) Long Day’s Journey into Night (1962) Matchstick Men (2003) Memento (2001) Midnight Cowboy (1969) Monster’s Ball (2002) Ordinary People (1980) Primal Fear (1996) Psycho (1960) Rain Man (1993) The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) Shine (1996) Silence of the Lambs (1991) Sybil (1976) The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) Taxi Driver (1976) The Three Faces of Eve (1957) Trainspotting (1996) When a Man Loves a Woman (1994) Vertigo (1958) Your paper should be two to three pages (excluding title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. All sources must be cited according to APA format.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding the intricacies of mental disorders through cinematic character analysis offers a compelling approach to psychological study. This paper examines a character from the film "Rain Man" (1993), exploring the portrayal of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and evaluating its accuracy relative to clinical knowledge. By delving into the character's background, presenting symptoms, and social functioning, and applying DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria, this analysis illuminates the interplay between cinematic representation and clinical reality.

Background Information

The character selected is Raymond Babbitt from "Rain Man," portrayed by Dustin Hoffman. Raymond is an autistic savant with a developmental disorder characterized by significant social and communication challenges, alongside extraordinary abilities in specific areas such as memory and calculation. Demographically, Raymond is a middle-aged man with a history of familial neglect and institutionalization. His family background is marked by a strained relationship with his brother Charlie, who initially seeks to exploit him for financial gain but eventually develops genuine concern. Socially, Raymond exhibits limited social interactions, preferring routines and specific stimuli, which are consistent with ASD characteristics. His medical history indicates early developmental delays, and he resides in a supportive but structured environment designed to accommodate his needs.

Presenting Problem and Symptoms

The film depicts Raymond as socially isolated, with significant difficulties interpreting social cues and engaging in reciprocal conversations. He exhibits intense attachment to routines, becomes distressed with changes, and displays repetitive behaviors. His extraordinary memory and calculation skills are highlighted, aligning with savant syndrome. From a clinical perspective, Raymond's symptoms include impaired social communication, restrictive and repetitive behaviors, and cognitive rigidity, which contribute to his limited social functioning and dependence on structured routines. The current social functioning is markedly impaired in unpredictable or unstructured environments, whereas he functions adequately within familiar settings.

DSM-IV-TR Diagnosis

The following multi-axial DSM-IV-TR diagnosis is proposed for Raymond:

  • Axis I: 299.00 - Autistic Disorder
  • Axis II: Deferred (as per DSM-IV-TR guidelines regarding mental retardation and personality disorders)
  • Axis III: No relevant medical conditions identified
  • Axis IV: Family conflict, social isolation, and institutionalization
  • Axis V: GAF score of 50, indicating serious impairment in social and occupational functioning

Differential Diagnosis and Considerations

In considering alternative diagnoses, Asperger's Disorder was evaluated but ruled out due to Raymond's significant language delays in early development and profound social deficits, which are more characteristic of classic autism. Additionally, schizophrenia was considered due to repetitive behaviors and social withdrawal but was dismissed based on the absence of hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized speech. Intellectual disability was plausible; however, Raymond's preserved and extraordinary savant skills suggest a diagnosis of autism with splinter skills rather than a primary intellectual disability. Other possibilities like obsessive-compulsive disorder were considered, but repetitive behaviors seemed more pervasive and embedded within the social and developmental context of autism, rather than being solely obsessive-compulsive rituals.

Assessment of Film Depiction

The film "Rain Man" provides a nuanced portrayal of autism, capturing core features such as social deficits, insistence on routines, and savant abilities. However, it simplifies some aspects, portraying Raymond's behaviors as primarily related to his autism without emphasizing the heterogeneity of the spectrum. Modern understanding emphasizes that ASD presents with a wide range of manifestations, which the film addresses only partially. Furthermore, the depiction of Raymond's savant skills aligns with some clinical cases but does not represent the typical autism presentation, where such abilities are rare. The film successfully raises awareness, fostering empathy, but may inadvertently reinforce stereotypes by idealizing savant traits and underrepresenting the variability within ASD.

Conclusion

Analyzing Raymond Babbitt's character through a clinical lens highlights the importance of accurate portrayal of psychological disorders. While cinematic depictions can foster understanding, they often simplify complex conditions. In the case of "Rain Man," the film effectively illustrates many features of autism but also underscores the need for nuanced awareness of the disorder's spectrum, variability, and co-occurring conditions. Such analyses bridge the gap between popular media and clinical realities, promoting both empathy and informed understanding.

References

  • Amaral, D. G., & Schumann, C. M. (2010). The neurobiology of autism spectrum disorders. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 20(1), 63-67.
  • American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., text rev.; DSM-IV-TR). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
  • Bartlett, C. P. (2014). Autism spectrum disorder: A review. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 29(4), 382-386.
  • Happé, F., & Frith, U. (2006). The symptoms of autism. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the Language Sciences, 219–223.
  • Johnson, C. P., & Myers, S. M. (2007). Identification and evaluation of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics, 120(5), 1183-1215.
  • Knapp, M. (2010). Autism spectrum disorder: The prevalence and importance of early diagnosis. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 51(4), 383-387.
  • Lord, C., & Jones, R. M. (2012). Autism spectrum disorders: Clinical features and the importance of early intervention. Acta Paediatrica, 101(8), 862-866.
  • Mesibov, G., & Shea, M. (2010). The TEACCH approach to autism spectrum disorders. In E. Schopler & G. Mesibov (Eds.), Learning and cognition in autism (pp. 243–264). Springer.
  • Rutter, M., Le Couteur, A., & Lord, C. (2003). Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). Western Psychological Services.
  • Williams, D. (2012). Autistic intelligence: The sensation of the spectrum. Ariel.

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