Social Psych: Film Scene Analysis - due February 22
Psychology/Sociology 210 -- Spring 2005-- Dordt College -- Dr. Sherri Lantinga

This film scene analysis assignment uses the methods of anthropology and communication to enhance your observational skills and become more aware of your automatic preconceptions and  judgments; these skills and insights will be further developed in the situational observations assignment later this semester.  Analyzing a film scene allows you a chance to very closely (and repeatedly) examine social interactions and identify how the features of the situation and the person influence behavior.  You will present your findings in a paper and in a brief classroom speech.

Form a group of 2-3 people.  You'll need to be able to correct and contradict each other as you view and analyze the film.

From a movie of your choice, select an interesting short scene that shows a social interaction between two or more people; you will focus your analysis on 1-2 minutes of that scene.  Using the guidelines that follow, write a 4-5 page (double-spaced, typed) paper that is divided into clearly marked sections, with more attention devoted to the analysis aspect than the descriptions.  You can see a sample paper from Fall, 2004, here.

(1) Setting description:

Note: Try to separate your objective observations from your interpretations (or implicit, automatic judgments). That is, don't say "a nice house" or "cheap jewelry" or "rotten weather." Ask yourself what makes the house seem inviting or how you know that the jewelry is junk, etc.  You may make inferences (e.g., "the neighborhood is wealthy") only if you've given evidence for them (e.g, "the late-model cars are polished and dent-free, the houses each have 4 garage stalls and the yards have no weeds).  Making these kinds of objective observations is surprisingly hard to do, and thoughtful discussion with attentive partners will help.

• Describe the "big picture": the setting's general location (e.g., American city, forest): the approximate year, season, and time of day; the weather (e.g., bright sunshine, raining)
• Create a setting map that includes all of the visible setting details and the location of the major characters in the scene; mention only the more important elements in the text of your paper.
• Describe the main characters' costumes
• If relevant, briefly mention any music or other sounds besides dialogue (type, volume, tempo, etc.) and any unusual camera angles. 

(2) Character description:

• Describe the main physical and demographic characteristics of the major characters in the scene (e.g., gender, age, height/weight, hairstyle)
• Describe the non-verbal behaviors used by each of the major characters in the scene (e.g., gaze, personal space, gestures, facial expressions, movements).  This is easiest to do by turning off the sound and focusing on what you see; slow motion helps, too.
• Note any behaviors that communicate by not doing something that would be expected (e.g., smiling after receiving a gift).

(3) Analysis:

• How do you think the setting/situation affects the characters' behavior? Make sure you give evidence to support your argument. 
• How does each character interpret the interaction with the other character (as threatening, fun, etc.)? How do you know?
• Draw some conclusions about the scene, making connections with social psychological concepts/theories (e.g., self-presentation)
• Finally, comment on what you learned from or were surprised by in this observation/analysis experience.

Submit your paper in a large envelope that includes a videotape cued to your scene OR a DVD with instructions about how to find your scene.

Your paper (worth 70 points) will be graded on the following criteria:

• Ability to objectively describe important setting details and non-verbal behaviors
• Ability to draw inferences about how the characters interpreted and reacted to the situation
• Ability to apply social psychological concepts
• Clarity of written expression
• Mechanics & format (DVD or video included, grammar, organization, etc.)

Your paper is due on February 22. Note the Psychology Department's late policy on the course syllabus. 

I am indebted to Dr. Bob DeSmith (Dordt College) for teaching me to love film analysis and to Dr. Scott Monsma (Northwestern College) for teaching me about ethnographic analysis. This assignment would not be possible without their contributions.

last revised January 2005