Analyzing Film Characters in the Psychology Classroom to Enhance Student Engagement

Abstract

Psychology teachers can be very creative with the tasks and activities they employ in the classroom so that students learn more about the subject. Greater the involvement of the students, better would be the chances that they learn. And films and shows have tremendous pedagogical potential. Films and shows form an integral part of entertainment for many students. They can also serve as a portal into human psychology and behaviour.  The present study aimed at studying if analyzing film characters in the psychology classroom enhances student engagement. The main focus of psychology is learning about the human psyche and behaviour, and films also focus on the nuances of human behaviour. College going students from Master of Science (M.Sc., Clinical Psychology) course were included in the sample.