You’re on the right track! This assignment is designed to help you understand how developmental theories can be applied to real-world situations, specifically through the lens of a chosen movie.

Here’s a breakdown of the assignment and how you can approach it:

1. Choose a Movie and Character

• Select a film: Choose a movie that depicts childhood development in a meaningful way. Some suggestions include:

  • “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”: Addresses adolescence, identity, and mental health.

  • “Room”: Explores the impact of trauma and attachment on a child’s development.

  • “Boyhood”: Provides a longitudinal look at a child’s growth over a decade.

  • “Finding Neverland”: Focuses on imagination, creativity, and grief in childhood.

• Choose a Character: Select a character whose development is central to the film’s story.

2. Identify a Developmental Theory

• Research Theories: Familiarize yourself with major developmental theories, including:

  • Piaget’s Cognitive Development: Stages of cognitive growth.

  • Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory: Emphasis on social interaction and learning.

  • Erikson’s Psychosocial Development: Stages of psychosocial growth and identity.

  • Attachment Theory: How early relationships impact development.

  • Ecological Systems Theory: Focus on the interconnectedness of systems affecting development.

• Choose a Relevant Theory: Select a theory that aligns well with the character’s developmental challenges, the film’s themes, and the relevant age range.

3. Analyze the Character’s Development

• Assess Developmental Tasks and Crises: Using your chosen theory, identify the specific developmental tasks or crises your character is experiencing. For example:

  • Erikson’s Theory: Is the character facing an identity crisis, struggling with autonomy, or dealing with intimacy concerns?

  • Piaget’s Theory: Is the character demonstrating concrete operational thinking, struggling with abstract concepts, or showing signs of formal operational thought?

• Consider Biological, Psychological, and Social Factors: Analyze how these factors contribute to the character’s development.

  • Biological: Are there any physical or neurological factors influencing the character?

  • Psychological: What are the character’s internal struggles, personality traits, and coping mechanisms?

  • Social: How do the character’s family, peers, community, and cultural context shape their development?

4. Explain the Resolution of the Developmental Crisis

• Describe the Character’s Growth: Explain how the character resolves, or at least attempts to resolve, the developmental tasks or crises they face in the film.

• Analyze Interventions: Were there any interventions from others that contributed to their growth? For example, supportive relationships, therapy, educational opportunities, or social support systems?

• Compare to the Theory: How does the character’s resolution compare to the predictions of your chosen developmental theory? Are there discrepancies or areas where the theory aligns well with the character’s journey?

5. Evaluate the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Chosen Theory

• Strengths: Identify the aspects of the theory that effectively explain the character’s development and provide valuable insights.

• Weaknesses: Point out any limitations of the theory in explaining the character’s journey, potential biases, or areas where the theory might not fully encompass the complexity of the character’s experiences.

Example:

Let’s say you choose “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and Charlie as your case study. You might select Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory because it addresses the challenges of identity formation during adolescence. Your analysis would focus on Charlie’s struggle with identity vs. role confusion, exploring the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to his difficulties. You would then assess how he resolves this crisis (or doesn’t) by the end of the film, considering interventions from others and comparing the outcome to Erikson’s theory.