Psychology and Film
4-weeks (last 4) | Registration closed 9/10/2025
Film is a powerful art medium for exploring topics in psychology. The film industry has long had a tremendous role in our society in countless ways, including entertaining, inspiring and teaching. Students will watch films that reflect multiple psychological themes. Class discussion will reflect key elements about the psychology of a viewer’s experience; the filmmaker/production; depictions of psychology and of psychologists/healthcare; and psychological issues/treatment. Students will watch films prior to the class meeting for that film. This will require students to watch the first film prior to the start date of class. Films will be available on Vassar LLI site for free viewing.
Note to former students: Different films will be used from those discussed in previous semesters. While concepts will be familiar, application to new films will always expand and inform further.
Suggested Reading: Psychology at the Movies by Skip Dine Young
Denise Morett
Dr. Denise Morett is the best-selling author of Lifeline, a licensed psychologist with a private practice, and a consultant to various hospitals and facilities. She has taught college-level psychology courses as well as conducted workshops and trainings throughout her 30-year career. She has been an instructor for VCLLI in past semesters. Her interests are varied and include the use of expressive arts, particularly film, as it relates to the human condition and topics of psychology