What type of psychology do you see?
As a horror film created in 2000, American Psycho reflects mental health psychology and raise issues from its perspective. In it, the main character, Patrick Bateman, is presented as a successful investment banker who has a second life of a serial killer. Thus, the film depicts a severe mental health disorder that impact a person’s psychological, social, and emotional well-being along with his actions.
Did you learn anything from this movie? If so what?
From this movie, I have learned that psychopathy is a highly dangerous disorder as it may be challenging to detect. In particular, the film reflects that psychopaths may cover their genuine identities. For society, Bateman is its respectable member, however, at the same time, he kills people brutally and without obvious reasons. In reality, due to the nature of some psychological disorders, even family members and the closest relatives may be unaware of the existence of this serious issue.
What part of the story told in the movie did you find most powerful?
One of the most powerful episodes that vividly depicts the nature of psychopathy is the
murder of Paul Allen. He was not Bateman’s random victim and his death was determined by the main character’s envy. However, Bateman’s trigger for killing caused by a better quality of Allen’s business cards and his preparations for a horrible act with joy make people reflect on the seriousness of mental health disorders.
If a psychologist were to look at the actions of the main character, what would they say about that character?
A psychologist would detect the development a psychopathic personality disorder in Bateman. This mental health disorder is characterized by poor behavioral controls, deficient emotional responses, manipulative behavior, the violation of social norms and others’ rights, tendency to lie, and a lack of empathy (Lykken, 2018). In addition, a psychopathic personality disorder is frequently associated with antisocial personality disorder and a narcissistic personality disorder that may be observed in the case of Bateman as well.
What was the psychological effect this movie had on you?
When I watched this film, I had a mix of emotions, including anger, sadness, and depression. Although, the film is frequently regarded as horror, it did not make me feel feared. Moreover, regardless of the fact that I may recognize mental health disorders in it, the film is not about them. Instead, I believe that with the emphasis of the character’s nationality, the film wants to depict the problems of American society, in which the symptoms of a psychopathic disorder, such as lying, egoism, narcissism, a lack of empathy, manipulative behavior, and promiscuous sexual behavior are regarded as the necessary traits of successful people.
Reference
Lykken, D. T. (2018). Psychopathy, sociopathy, and antisocial personality disorder. In C. J. Patrick (Ed.) Handbook of psychopathy (2nd ed.), (pp. 22-32). The Guilford Press.