Popularity of Horror Movies

There were two questions posited this week concerning the popularity of novels, movies, and actors/actresses in those movies that have a common theme of abnormal functioning or psychological disorder present.

The reason for the popularity, based on my limited research, seems somewhat paradoxical. On one hand psychological problems are so common and so personal they tend to capture our interest (Comer, 2013). Many movies and books focus on the dark side of human nature. As human beings we all have a built-in desire to explain the world around us, and then to place "mental luggage" into neat little boxes in order to help us make sense of our world. Movies and novels featuring abnormal behavior in this way help us to feel better about ourselves, "normal" if you will. This is a major issue for most in that it is so nice to have someone to compare ourselves to that is quirkier than we seem to be. If we are not as "crazy" as they are, our self-esteem gets a boost. Even our self-worth can be enhanced through watching and reading about people, fictitious or not, that seem to be more psychologically challenged. Therefore, one way to address the questions might be to suggest that although these behaviors are not to be modeled, they make us feel better about ourselves on some level.

The Bible gives us a better way to feel good about ourselves, other than these types of movies and books, and not at someone else's expense, "Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad" (Proverbs 12:25, NASB). Comparing ourselves to those "crazies" in the movies is a losing proposition. We need to remember that they are, for the sake of this discussion, fictional characters.

On the other hand, some people seem to enjoy these things because of the thrill they experience. The thrill can include terror when suspense (or plain old blood and guts are present) that morphs into euphoria when the bad/psychotic character is defeated. The person watching endures the scary behavior in order to end up with a feeling of relief. This person is possibly, in a sense, desiring to feel the negative emotions in order to feel the positive emotions.

One other theory just entered the picture while typing this assessment. The age old struggle of good vs. evil could come into play in this discussion. Since the beginning of recorded history, the struggle between good and evil have seemingly captivated the human race. Although many people suffer from psychological issues of widely varying degree, the understanding of the definition of abnormal is essentially unsettled science (Comer, 2013). What if the viewer/reader identifies with the actor/actress or character in their role as one that functions abnormally as being good, and within the cognitive process of identifying they also deem the deviance, distress, dysfunction, or danger portrayed as evil?

Finally, being a fair-whether fan of Bandura, what troubles me more than anything is that fact that these types of media/celebrity are so popular. Reinforcement and modeling of behavior deemed abnormal, admittedly limited by time, but not by volume of content, could have troubling consequences for the viewer/reader. I realize that the ability to learn, comprehend, and understand the effects of behavior differ greatly from individual to individual, but there are some who will just imitate for whatever reason. These people may just have a reduced cognitive ability, or may be full blown sociopaths. If people do enjoy these types of behavior on the "Big Screen," self-regulation and the ability to differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate behavior sure need to be present.

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control" (2 Timothy 1:7, AMP). 

Do you really think movies can have a major impact on social norms?

If not, why?

If so, why and how?

References

Comer, R. J. (2013). Abnormal Psychology (8th ed.). New York, New York: Worth Publishers. Retrieved October 23, 2012

New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Amplified Bible (AMP). Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

Religion and Suicide

Suicide rates vary widely from country to country.

What factors besides religion might help account for the differences?

The motivating factors of suicide seem to be moving targets. It varies by age, race, gender, mental status, socioeconomical situations, number of friends, closeness to family, biology, and the list could go on and on. Determining what accounts for the variance in suicide rates between countries seems to be just as elusive as determining why they happen at all.

Some of the conclusions drawn from the research based on the discussion question are quite interesting, and some are mind-numbing at best.

Comer (2013) states that his book uses more ink on the subject of suicide based on a sociocultural model than any other particular subject he writes about. The textbook gives broad coverage to the subject, but seems to lack substantial depth.

One of the most interesting factors discovered while researching this topic was how age varies based on the economical development of the country (Girard, 1993). The suicide rates in men, in just about every country examined, increases with age. However, the fascinating issue in this area is the correlation of the age of the women and economic development. In wealthy nations, suicide rates among women peak in middle age. When looking at the poorer nations, suicide rates were higher for the elderly women. The most interesting fact came from the poorest nations. Among these nations you can find that the peak years of suicide shifts to the younger women. I had assumed, prior to reading that there would be a strong negative correlation, but it turned out quite different.

In another interesting finding Lester (1987) hypothesized about a biological correlation relating a cultures tendency toward suicide. He suggested, based on his research, that the higher the number of people having Type O correlated to lower suicide rates.

Finally, there seems to be some very interesting information regarding suicide, but the downside is that there is anything to write about in the first place.

The common thread that seems to run throughout the pages that discuss suicide, and throughout the lives ended by suicide, appears to be connected to hope. It is sad that the only option some people believe they have when hope seems lost is suicide. They need to know the love of God, and understand that God, “Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]” (Ephesians 3:20, AMP).

The Prophet Isaiah confirms this as well, “You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.

So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages]” (Isaiah 26:3-4, AMP).

Could life ever be so tough for you that suicide might be considered an option?

 

  

Comer, R. J. (2013). Abnormal Psychology (8th Edition). New York: Worth Publishers.

Girard C. Age, gender, and suicide. American Sociological Review, 58: 553-574, 1993.

Lester D. National distribution of blood groups, personal violence (suicide and homicide), and national character. Personality & Individual Differences, 8: 575-576, 1987.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Culture

How might a culture help create individual cases of body dysmorphic disorder?

Why do some people in a society carry a culture’s aesthetic ideals to an extreme, while others stay within normal bounds?

I am not sure if  culture can help, but it might be able to create an environment where body dysmorphic disorder could flourish. We live in just this type of environment. Hollywood, the internet, television, magazines, popular music, and beauty pageants are all partners in crime when it comes to creating an environment where body dysmorphic disorder issues have seemingly risen to epidemic status. However wide-spread this disorder appears to be, it continues to be a very individual problem. Many people have a concept of what the phrase “political correctness” means, but for many women, and particularly young women, struggle with “anatomical correctness,” or what is also known as ideal female body type.

At an early age most girls play with dolls. Most of the dolls these little girls play with are made in a way to mimic what the culture embraces as the idea of combining of physical features people find attractive in a real baby. The slow slide into body dysmorphic disorder finds its genesis in these early years of life.

As the pre-teen and teenage years arrive, these same girls will almost universally begin to try to fashion their own appearance to that which our culture declares ideal via the influence of movies, television, internet, music, and magazines. However, in our culture, celebrity alone is not the only avenue to BDD. Groupthink, a problem often overlooked by most, plays a big part in how culture shapes self-image. One of the saddest programs on television is about mothers entering very young children in beauty pageants, and so many women think that this is ok. The prevailing sentiment for most of these women, involved or watching, goes something like this, “isn’t this so cute” or “aren’t they just precious.” The fact that so many buy into this line of thought should make it easier to understand why so many girls, young women, and even older women have issues with BDD. The overarching thought involved revolves around the idealization of perfecting physical appearances to meet some cultural idea of beauty. There are so many more issues we could discuss involving this topic, but I need to move on.

Beauty is one side of the BDD coin, but perceived ugliness may be the other side. Having counseled, witnessed to, and ministered to so many people over the years, I have come to determine (however unscientifically it may be) that there are large numbers of people, who because of self-image issues, refuse or avoid interacting with others because they believe or imagine that they have some sort of defect in appearance. Some have said that as many as 15% of those seeking cosmetic surgery (Comer, 2013). However, I believe the number could be much higher due to idea of the problem being medical in nature when many times it could be treated through various psychological methods. BDD seems, in my opinion, to be very closely related to OCD and social phobia.

I am sure many will automatically think of Michael Jackson when they think about extreme BDD. They should for good reasons. As I thought about his situation, I have often wondered if there were more issues at work than just trying to match the cultural ideal. For Michael, there seemed to be a huge compulsive element to his continued surgeries. He continued to change and undergo more and more discomfort to try and relieve discomfort? It seems as though his actions could have been based on intrusive thoughts about his appearance and they certainly seemed repetitive. On the flipside, I know I have experienced negative thoughts about my appearance, but I do not let them consume me. I believe those who do not go to extremes are a lot like me.

Our sense of physical attractiveness should not depend on what the culture around us purports, but it should rest on who we are in Christ. As Christians we attain self-worth and self-esteem by having a right relationship with God. We can know we are attractive because of the high price God paid for us through the blood of Jesus. “I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you” (Psalm 16:2, ESV).

 Do you see any relationship between BDD and eating disorders?

Comer, R. J. (2013). Abnormal Psychology (8th ed.). New York, New York: Worth Publishers. Retrieved October 23, 2012

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001, Crossway Bibles, Good News Publishers.

Black Friday Thoughts

I have no problem with anyone finding a good holiday sale on black Friday, but I can’t escape feelings of despair at the thought of this annual carnival of consumerism. It’s partly guilt at the thought of so much money that will be spent on luxury goods and gadgets; it’s partly frustration that Black Friday is ironically linked to a holiday in which Americans (in theory) express their gratitude for and contentment with God’s blessings.

This leads me to ask, what are Christians to make of all this? 

We can condemn the excesses of consumer culture and the commercialization of the holidays… but that message, which I’ve heard repeated every year since I first watched the Charlie Brown Christmas special, feels these days less like a bold spiritual statement and more like a dreary and obligatory annual Culture War complaint. We can abstain from Black Friday and the frenzied consumerism it represents, or at least moderate our participation. But is there anything positive we can do as we head into another holiday season marked by sales and rebates?

The following are a few questions that came to me today:

How much less will I spend on material goods in order to give more to my church?

What will my prayer and devotional life be like over the holidays?

Is there a particular book, devotional, or study I want to work through?

Are there any habits or behaviors God is calling me to give up?

What holiday programs in my community do I want to get involved with?

Who do I want to spend extra time with this holiday season?

What charities and organizations do we want to support this holiday season?

Who in my community is going to need some extra help (financially, emotionally, or something else) this Christmas? How will I help them?



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