In addition to entertaining us, movies offer detailed portrayals of human social behavior. Your task in this project is to analyze -- from a social-psychological 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. Then apply what you've learned this semester regarding the factors that predict and explain human social behavior. This project is comprehensive: We urge you to bring any/all concepts encountered in this course that relate to the issues, interactions, and behaviors portrayed.

Choose one of the 5 films listed below. All but "Braveheart" are on reserve at the Language Resource Center (LRC), 2nd floor of the Modern Languages Building, beginning March 10, 2000. LRC Hours: M-TH 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m., F 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sat CLOSED, Sun 12:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. You may also rent the video yourself and watch it at home.

• Braveheart (1995; Directed by M. Gibson; 177 minutes; not available at LRC)
• El Norte (1983; Directed by G. Nava; 141 minutes)
• Good Will Hunting (1997; Directed by G. van Sant; 126 minutes)
• Life is Beautiful (1997; Directed by R. Benigni; 116 minutes)
• The Shawshank Redemption (1994; Directed by F. Darabont; 142 minutes)

View the film you choose at least once. (Two viewings may offer a distinct advantage). Then, after reviewing your class notes and readings, identify 3 social-psychological principles that appear to be operating in the events or individuals depicted in the film (e.g., cognitive dissonance, schemas, self-fulfilling prophecies, groupthink, deindividuation, conformity, realistic conflict theory, modern racism, etc.). For each principle that you identify:

(a) briefly describe the relevant scene (you may assume that your reader has seen the film);

(b) describe in detail the social-psychological principle you believe is relevant, bringing in research findings as much as possible (that is, briefly state the findings of relevant experiments you've read or heard about); and

(c) elaborate on how the selected scene illustrates the social-psychological principle you have identified, as well as any discrepancies between the scene and what the theory would predict. Describe how the scene is similar to or different from relevant experiments you've read or heard about.

Your written analysis should be succinct and well-written (4-6 pages). Be sure to include a short Introduction to orient the reader, as well as a short Conclusion to tie things together. The Introduction & Conclusion will be each be worth 5% of your final grade. Your discussion of each of the 3 social-psychological principles will be worth 30% apiece.

Do not put your name on any page of your paper. Your GSI will let you know how and where to put identifying information.

Your paper is due in discussion section during the week of March 27-31, 2000.