Literature-Based Movies for Abnormal Psychology Classes

Early Childhood Trauma or Abuse, Dissociative and Multiple Personality Disorder

General Psychology classes explore a whole realm of developmental concepts: cognitive, social, moral and emotional formation. Psychology students delve into a plethora of complex issues in life also. In any academic subject, one of the most effective methods of research and study is to read the literature written about the concept. Literature connections provide depth for understanding any idea. There are some really effective book-to-film works to share with your students that give dimension to psychological concepts.

In this piece we focus on films that explore the effects of early childhood trauma and/ or psychological, emotional, sexual and physical abuse. Movies, especially films based upon literature have become a truly useful tool for exploring mental and emotional illness; it helps psychologist visualize first hand some manifestations of emotional scarring. The theme of most of these films is that dissociative and multiple personality disorder is a coping response to early childhood trauma, particularly trauma from some form of abuse or neglect.

Sybil (Flora Reita Shreiber) is the quintessential experience of childhood personality disorder, schizophrenia and multiple personality disorder as a coping mechanism for abuse and trauma. We first see Sybil (Sally Field) as a withdrawn young women coping but just barely with her life. After Sybil breaks down upon meeting a young man at work, a psychologist, Dr. Wilbur (Joanne Woodward) takes an interest. Sybil exhibits 13 separate personalities (some more developed and dominant than others). Dr. Wilbur takes Sybil on a journey back into her life to explore the pathology of Sybil's illness. The story told in reverse concentric time circles revolving toward the present, show a child subjected to horrific psychological, emotional, physical and bizarre sexual abuse. This is the true story of Shirley Mason. There was some controversy as to whether Shirley really had multiple personality; I believe that is antithesis to the real issue which is childhood reaction and coping in a terrible circumstance.