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What’s better than watching a scary movie as Halloween approaches? Hearing a lecture on the real-life psychological disorders behind movie monsters at the Carl Sagan/Ann Druyan theater, of course. Clinical psychology actually has a lot to teach us about horror – and horror movies can reveal much more than we realize about psychological distress as well as some of the fundamental fears that go along with being human.Though film fans may be well acquainted with vampires, werewolves, zombies, and the human replacements from Invasion of the Body Snatchers, even many medical professions may not know about the corresponding conditions of Renfield's syndrome, clinical lycanthropy, Cotard's syndrome, and the many misidentification delusions. The “real” folklore behind some of these scary creatures may be surprising as well.
Dr. Brian Sharpless will discuss what clinical psychology and psychiatry have to say about a sampling of movie monsters from the Golden Age of cinema, more modern monsters, and even some “monstrous” behaviors (e.g., cannibalism). Attendees will not only learn state-of-the-art psychological science but also gain a better understanding of history, folklore, and how Hollywood often—but not always—gets it wrong when tackling these complex topics.
Brian A. Sharpless is a licensed psychologist and author. He received his PhD in clinical psychology and MA in philosophy from Pennsylvania State University and completed post-doctoral fellowships at the University of Pennsylvania. He has authored more than fifty professional publications including three books for Oxford University Press. His latest book, Monsters on the Couch: The Real Psychological Disorders Behind Your Favorite Horror Movies (Chicago Review Press), was recently released. He lives in the Washington, DC, area.
Admission: $10, or FREE for CFI Members*. Tickets are pay-at-the-door only.
*Membership is $60/year. Find out more and join here: https://cfiwest.org/donate/
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Center for Inquiry West, 2535 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90026-4819, United States,Los Angeles, California
