The Psychological Elements in the Movie Fight Club - Essay Example

?Harris Kamran Psychology Analytical Paper 16 April The Psychological Elements in the Movie Fight Club In the recent years, Hollywood films haveincreasingly started utilizing psychological elements in the script and the plot in order to either challenge psychological theories, explore the cognitive concepts, or give theories of their own to counter some problems in an unconventional and radical approach. One such example is the movie Fight Club, directed by David Fincher and based on the novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk Rothe-Kushel. This paper purports to analyze the main character of the movie, Edward Norton, played by Brad Pitt, in order to understand the psychological basis on which his character is developed, and then to offer some therapeutic processes that could be employed to improve the problems that he is experiencing. Before the character of Edward Norton could be analyzed, it is imperative to understand the storyline of the movie, and the premise on which the characters are based. This film, on its outlook, revolves around male aggression and the venting of that aggression through the age-old technique of fighting Rothe-Kushel. The brawling, however, goes beyond a certain limit in the movie so that it might even becomes objectionable to the audiences and the critics Rothe-Kushel. The raw, bare-knuckle street fights are graphically shot, and the overall treatment of the movie is also quite graphical and wild Rothe-Kushel. It may appear that the movie is trying to propose the idea of solving social problems, and especially male frustrations as they relate to the society, through the tactic of violence, instead of the more sophisticated and mature techniques of other forms of therapy Rothe-Kushel. However, this concept is rudimentary and superficial, and upon a deeper inspection, a different concept is revealed. The film is basically about the caged and imprisoned societal set up due to excessive commercialism and corporate culture Rothe-Kushel. It challenges the idea that white men are free in America; although they may appear to be free physically, they are constrained psychologically and socially, and bound by chains of commercial menace Rothe-Kushel. To this end, the fighting sequences and the establishment of a fight club are more than mere methods of venting; they are a radical group therapy in which men from all social classes participate to break the fear of pain and hurt and self-mutilation, in order to be psychologically emancipated and empowered Rothe-Kushel. This would enable them to take a stand against the norms of the society which they would like to challenge. The character of Edward Norton is the embodiment and personification of all these ideas, and the mastermind behind this radical psychological exercise Rothe-Kushel. Although an entrepreneur himself, and perhaps even because of that, he is averse to the corporate culture and the media telling him what to do and how to behave all the time Rothe-Kushel. He wants to rid himself and his friend Jack from the clutches of the ideas of comfort and lifestyle that the society have developed, thinking them as fake and unnecessary, so that he can be free to live life they way he desires Rothe-Kushel. To practically eternalize this idea, instead of challenging the concerned parties, he tries to embark on a quest of self-improvement through self-mutilation, in an attempt to break free of the shell of psychological barriers that exist around their conscious Rothe-Kushel. Therefore, the invitation in the movie is always “would you like to hit me” rather than “I would like to hit you” Rothe-Kushel. This form of therapy soon catches on, and there are fight clubs all over the country Rothe-Kushel. However, it spirals into an uncontrolled plan of violence, the Project Mayhem, that results in the blowing up of banks and other corporate buildings Rothe-Kushel. The perpetrator, it is revealed at the end, is the narrator himself, or Jack, as he appears in the movie, who, a downcast corporate worker himself, operated through his altar ego to execute this plan Rothe-Kushel. Therefore, we see that the problems associated with the character of Edward Norton and others in the movie are self-generated, through the use of a twisted method of psychological group therapy. In an attempt to rebel and to bring about a revolution, the character of Edward Norton elicited mass destruction. To say that Edward Norton was mentally ill would be a false perception. He does not seem to be suffering from any psychiatric or organic illness for which he would need psychological treatment. His character is well-oriented in space, time, and person, and shows no signs of delusions or paranoia. His fears are well-grounded in reality. The only problem with the character is his approach toward the solution to his issues, which is extremely radical, violent, and aggressive. He might not have any personality disorders, but he definitely is need of some counseling and therapy to help him resolve his issues through a more pacified and prosocial approach. He does show anti-social traits. In order to help him overcome his anger issues and anit-social behavior, we can employ the models of behavior therapy and cognitive therapy, or as a combined model called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) (Hockenbury and Hockenbury Chap: 14) . Since his problems lie in his behavior, his perception of the society, and his subsequent actions, these therapies would be highly effective in assisting him in his problem. The way he feels about the society and acts, his behavior, stem from the way he thinks (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). This means that the therapist would have to challenge his thinking pattern and his approach toward the society through the use of cognitive therapy first. For this purpose, he might have to delve in the past to find out the ways his past issues have modified his current behavior (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). Although CBT focuses on the current problem in behavior, it is important to know any relations to the past incidences that might have shaped the patient’s thinking style (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). The next step would be to employ the behavior therapy. It focuses on the fact that the way one feels results in his actions, which once again effect the way one feels, resulting in a circle of consequences (Herkov). This technique involves four steps or processes that are aimed at analyzing the activities of the individual and developing a better approach toward life and society to improve his behavior (Herkov). The technique focuses on the personal aspects of the patient (Herkov). Therefore, the first step is the evaluation of one’s own actions (Herkov). For this reason, the patient would need to keep a log or diary of his daily routine so that the therapist can work out new and better activities for the patient and see where the problem lies (Herkov). This will be the second process (Herkov). This also involves role playing to overcome certain social issues and anti-social behavior, constituting the third process (Herkov). The fourth step in the therapy is behavior modification through self-rewarding and appreciation (Herkov). These therapies are prolonged and involve equal participation from the therapist and the patient (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). In the pertinent case of Edward Norton, these therapies are expected to help him improve his perception of the culture and society around him, and to deal with his problems in a more positive and less aggressive manner. Works Cited “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.” The Royal College of Psychiatrists. Royal College of Psychiatrists, Feb. 2012. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. Herkov, Michael. “About Behavior Therapy.” Psychotherapy. Psych Central, 2006. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. Hockenbury and Hockenbury. Discovering Psychology. New York: Worth Publishing, 2007. Print. Rothe-Kushel, Jethro. “Fight Club: A Ritual Cure for the Spiritual Ailment of American Masculinity.” The Film Journal. Film Journal, 2002. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. Read More