Abnormal Psychology: Symptoms or Behavior Characteristics - Assignment Example

Abnormal Psychology Introduction In 1976, the American vigilante film Taxi driver was released. The film was directed by Martin Scorsese. The audience considers Taxi Driver as one of the paramount film that can last invariably on the mind of people. One of the utmost influential protagonists of the film is Travis Bickle. Travis is 26 year old man returned to New York and applied for job as a cab driver. Mentally Travis Bickle was ill and never part of this usual world. The mental issues and monotonous personality of Travis were pivotal reasons to be in the war. The character of the individual is further exposed during the progress of the film. The obsessive psyche and loneliness lifestyle of Travis Bickle transformed in to aggressive, violent and hysterical individual. The symptom that affected the character in to possible hidden trauma and mental disorder is Schizotypal Personality Disorder adverse behavioral symptom. The character is also suffering from insomnia and depression. From the very beginning of the film, Travis Bickle drinks heavily, spends morning time watching porn in theaters and does not sleeps. Social ineptitude of Travis Bickle leads to the formation of distorted perception, lowliness and isolation. Despite having such a serious disease, there is no sense of complacency on the mind of the character to cure the disease or take any step to nullify it. Travis Bickle searched of substitute of having family on own. Travis wanted to make Betsy as a lover. But the rejection of Betsy made Travis in to mad and obsessive. Symptoms or Behavior Characteristics It is visible from the film that main iconic character is suffering from Schizotypal Personality Disorder. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder states that the symptom of Schizotypal Personality Disorder belongs to Axis II mental disorder dimension. The individual who is suffering from this disorder indicates signs of peculiar behavior and struggle to form close relationships. The disorder is categorized under Cluster A. The pattern of the disorder creates intense discomfort, bizarre change in behavior, drastic change in perception and adverse interpersonal relationships. Person must display four to five symptoms for being qualifying to be diagnosed of Schizotypal Personality Disorder. The following symptoms for diagnosis of the disorder are described below. Patterns of speech and weird thinking. Lonely, even emotions and looking detached. Odd or peculiar behavior and appearance. Other than first-degree relatives, the individuals lack possibility of having any kind of close friends or intimates. Seeing illusions and perception of thinks are unusual. Odd opinions and views that cat severely affects the behaviors of individual Affect is restricted and unsuitable. Awareness and understanding is not diminished by extreme social anxiety. The development of thoughts which can be paranoid and suspicious. Interpretation of events are analyzed and taken incorrectly (Mayo Clinic, 2014). The severity of the symptoms enables to diagnose the behavior of individuals. The individuals diagnosed with Schizotypal Personality Disorder can be sometimes very creative. The behavioral nature of the individual can be influenced by beliefs of subculture nature and weird thoughts. This personality disorder enables feel discomfort in talking with other, forming relationships, creation of odd thinking and behaviors. Behavior in the Character’s Behavior The quality of life can be severely affected by Schizotypal Personality Disorder. The film Taxi Driverprovides an impeccable example of a man named Travis Bickle whose life has turned in to disastrous. This is due to lessening of awareness and turning in to obsessive psychosis.Abstract verbal communication and feelings of Travis can be viewed by audience frequently in the film. One example of obscure communication of Travis was demonstrated by audience during the time of first date with Betsy. Travis tells Betsy at Palatine campaign “when I walked in I fell that, there was something that brought us together. We both are following impulse. So that is the reason that forces me to come and talk to you” (Rollins, 2013). The speech given by Travis to Betsy during first date is romanticized. Travis also said “I am attracted to you and it is the reason that I want to know you more” (Wallis, 2011).Travis Bickle regularly attempts to watch pornographic movie in theaters. The mental instability of the character was in so adverse condition that Travis attempts to find name of a concession girl. This resembles that fact that Travis Bickle laced any kind of concrete ideas andmakes certain action which is unpredictable. The attempt of Travis was seen by Concession girl as harassment. The girl even threatened to call manager to stop Schizotypal individual for attempting in future. It is quite ridiculous to think that adult movie theater is the place for creating connection. The Schizotypal individual does not have the ability to recognize the things that are necessary to be said. This demonstrates the fact that an individual with Schizotypal Personality Disorder lacks the ability to maintain and create healthy relationships.The lack of social behavior is demonstrated once again, when Schizotypal individual took Betsy to watch pornographic in theater for a date. Betsy interpreted this step of Travis as a vulgar. Betsy flees in a separate taxi. The symptom of Schizotypal Personality Disorder nullifies the thinking capability of an individual to realize that the plan to date in adult movie theater is not a satisfactory location for a date. This describes the symptoms of Schizotypal Personality Disorder individuals who lack the possibility of having any confidants and close friends. All the symptoms of Schizotypal Personality Disorder have been effectively displayed by Travis Bickle. The film Taxi driver has utilized artistically filming techniques and tools to communicate with audience about the character of Travis Bickle which is mentally unpleasant and unstable. The man suffering from Schizotypal Personality Disorder has been portrayed effectively by several aspects such as sound, editing and cinematography.The behavioral change of Travis Bickle is constant and proves the fact that the man is diagnosed with Schizotypal Personality Disorder. Most of the symptoms of Schizotypal Personality Disorder are displayed on the film through the character Travis Bickle. The original score and sound effects of the film effectively portrayed the unstable behavior of the individuals who is suffering from Schizotypal Personality Disorder. Martin Scorsese conveyed the thoughts and psychotic character to audience by application of haunting soundtrack on dark images. The candid mindset of Schizotypal individual has been emanated in every sequence of the film Taxi Driver. The stylistic choice of cinematography illustrated the mental discord of Travis Bickle. The use of dressing and specific location has inspired us to realize the character of Travis which was confusing, isolation and paranoid misconception. Conclusion The film Taxi Driver is regarded as one of the greatest artistic films. The main character of the film is played by Travis Bickle who is suffering from severe insomnia and Schizotypal Personality disorder. After the decade of war in Vietnam, the film was released. The mental condition of Travis Bickle is instable which makes action of the character more unpredictable. During the time of economic instability, the personality disorder and violent actions of Travis Bickle is viewed by the audiences as influencing factor which enable to take decision on their own hands. The symptoms of Schizotypal Personality disorder early began at an early age. Some of the symptoms are paranoid ideation, odd thinking, bodily illusions, odd beliefs peculiar appearance or behavior and lack of friends. The development of this disorder on Travis can be due to environmental, social and biological factors. The failed attempt of creating relationship with Betsy has outraged the behavioral changes drives paranoia of Travis. There are several things which still remained mystery was the knowing the character Travis Bickle outside Taxi. Many contradictions of the film make the essential character Travis Bickle as one of the great character in the history of film industry. References Mayo Clinic. (2014). Schizotypal Personality Disorder. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizotypal-personality-disorder/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20027949. Rollins, P. (2013). The Columbia Companion to American History on Film. Columbia: Columbia University Press. Wallis, T. (2011). Film: A Critical Introduction. New York: Laurence King Publishing. Read More