1. Silence of the LambsA deeper analysis into the dark world of
psychology.
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Movie Analysis
Basedon the chilling true events
displayedby the infamous serial killer
Ted Bundy, Silence of the Lambs
displays the sinister and menacing side
of the humanbrain. Out of all the
intriguing psychological concepts
displayedin this film, I chose four to
focus on. Intrinsic and Extrinsic
motivation, Mere Exposure Effect,
IdentityVS Role and Mental Illnesses.
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Intrinsic & Extrinsic
Motivation
Intrinsic Motivation is having the desire to get
pleasure from an activity with no apparent goal.
An example of this is how Hannibal Lector
respond in riddles to every question asked by FBI
agent Clarice Sterling.
On your right is a link to a clip of the first time
they met and spoke to one another.
Extrinsic Motivation is where your desire is to
achieve a certain goal.
An example of this is how Jame Gumb aka
“Buffalo Bill” skins the women he kills to place
their skin on top of his on. This is done to
accomplish the goal of “becoming a woman”.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoZ1e5kjjcs
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Mere Exposure Effect is when you are more
exposed to something, or someone, you adapt and
change to a more positive attitude.
An example of this is when Clarice Starling was
sent to speak with Hannibal Lecter for the first
time. At first Lecter was resistant to speaking with
her but after talking, he felt more comfortable.
Mere Exposure
Effect
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Hannibal & Clarice
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Identity VS Role
A conflict within
Identity VS Role discovered by Erik Erikson, is the
psychosocial development that takes place between the
ages of 12 and 19. During this stage adolescents need to
develop a sense of self and personal identity. In todays day
in age, there are many different facilities that can perform
reconfiguration surgery.
An example of this is how Jame Gumb aka “Buffalo Bill”
skins his victims and places their skin on top of his own to
“become a woman”.
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Mental Illnesses
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The mental illnesses displayed in Silence of the Lambs
include: PTSD-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, ASPD- Anti-
Social Personality Disorder and Sociopathic tendencies.
An example of PTSD is within Clarice Starling. When
Starling was a child she witnessed slaughtering of lambs and
was unable to save them. This led to her reoccurring
nightmares/night terrors visualizing the slaughter. Another
example is with Hannibal Lecter. Lecter lost his parents
during World War II and his sister was kidnapped and
eaten. This is led to believe the reasoning behind his
cannibalistic ways. Lastly, “Buffalo Bill” displays a lack of self
esteem and is believed to have had an abusive childhood.
This abusive past has led to his murderous interests.
7. Mental Illnesses
continued
An example of Anti-Social Personality
Disorder is within Lecter and “Buffalo Bill”.
They both suffer from this, as most serial
killers do, and have a distaste for
socializing or putting themselves out into
society for any reason.
An example of a Sociopath is with Lecter
and “Buffalo Bill” as well. These men
manipulate, lie, murder and eat their
victims with no remorse or regret.
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In conclusion…
Silence of the Lambs displays key psychological points that really make you think about how vile and
malicious a person can be. There are multiple different disorders that can take over a persona and the
way their brain functions due to trauma. These tendencies are to be looked for and paid close attention
to. I believe this movie ties directly to the topics discussed this semester.
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