Classification of psychopathology according to a scientific (psychology and psychiatry) and an artistic (film noir) perspective.

Abstract

Psychopathology can be studied from a scientific or artistic perspective. While there are important differences between the two perspectives, similarities also exist. Recognition of these similarities and differences provides a treatment of psychopathology different than that provided by either perspective alone. The classification by the sciences of psychology and psychiatry and the art-form motion picture genre called film noir is discussed. Film noir was chosen because, like psychology and psychiatry, psychopathology plays a central role, and it is presented in a cohesive and consistent manner. Classification is discussed in the context of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). If film noir is classified according to DSM, it can be seen that film noir presented almost all of the classes of psychopathology and many of the categories, as well as several other important aspects about psychopathology.