|
|
Dossier |
how movies can reveal aspects of personality
While the people who make up a film's audience certainly share some
characteristics (for example, a preference for a film genre, for a particular
director and/or performer, or for a particular theme), they undoubtedly show, as
in any other area of experience, individual differences. Viewers differ
more or less markedly in their previous knowledge of the film genre, their
personal experiences and their beliefs and attitudes - all elements that then
influence expectations, reactions and judgments about the film.
Individual differences, however, are also a fascinating field of exploration
with respect to the concept of personality. After all, what makes us
unique individuals depends on a variety of factors, some of which are biological
and innate, while others are the result of the experiences we have gone through
since the day we were born, including our socialization processes in the context
of our culture. The "innate" and the "learned" are not two separate domains, but
are inextricably linked in forging our special way of being unique
(though this should not make us forget what makes us similar to each
other).
Individual differences can be described and have been studied in various ways:
for example, people are known to differ in their preferences for sensory
modalities (some may be more visual, some more auditory, still others may
prefer a kinesthetic approach, i.e. based on the use of the body and its
movements). Or people may show different thinking styles (i.e. ways
they prefer to process information in their minds - for example they may occupy
an intermediate position between analytical and global, between reflective and
impulsive) or different social attitudes (e.g. being more or less
introverts rather than extroverts).
2. Thinking styles
The ways in which we process information in our minds vary from person to person
to a greater or lesser extent.
Some people may tend towards an analytical style: they prefer to start
from the parts to get to the whole, like to consider details, reason logically,
willingly focus on the differences between things. Others, on the other hand,
may tend towards a global style: they start from an overall vision and
from the general context, organize the information more simultaneously, find it
easy to make a synthesis, focus more willingly on the similarities between
things.
People also differ in their tendency towards reflexivity: they
carefully consider facts and possible options, make more objective judgments,
require longer processing times. Others are more impulsive: they make
decisions based on sensations and essential information, prefer to provide more
immediate answers, make more subjective judgments.
And again, some can be more systematic: they organize information in a
linear, sequential and cumulative way, don't like excessive or too varied
inputs, are activated even by low intensity stimuli. Others, on the other hand,
tend to be more intuitive: they love even complex and simultaneous
inputs, are activated by more intense stimuli, which they manage in real time.
Finally, there are people who are more cautious, who tolerate less risks
and the ambiguity of situations, compared to others who are more
willing to take risks and who tolerate any ambiguity of
contexts better.
3. Some important considerations
* The terms we have used to identify individual differences in thinking styles
are absolutely neutral: there are no "better" or "worse" styles, let
alone "ideal" styles. In fact, all styles can be effective depending on the
situations, the contexts, the type of task we have to carry out. And knowing how
to use different styles, that is, being more flexible in the ways of
processing information, can in many cases be advantageous.
* Not all people show extreme thinking styles: it is not common to find
people who are extremely analytical, or, on the contrary, extremely global.
Indeed, many tend to be in an intermediate position between the extremes we have
identified above, or to be more balanced than others. It is important
to recognize the uniqueness of each profile of thinking styles: each of us is in
fact the bearer of personality dimensions that make him a unique individual.
* Becoming more aware of one's thinking styles, as well as other dimensions of
one's personality, can enable us to get to know ourselves better, to understand
the reasons for some of our choices and behaviours, to identify our strengths
and weaknesses. This self-knowledge allows us to respond less automatically and
more consciously to the problems and challenges we face, increasing our
flexibility and our resilience.
4. Cinema ... and a questionnaire to get to know oneself better
Our cinematic habits and attitudes, just like any other area of activity, can be
a source of information about our own profile of thinking styles. The following
questionnaire will help you do just that. Keep in mind that any questionnaire of
this type can only give you a general indication of your profile - it should not
be taken as a rigid and definitive "portrait" of some dimension of your
personality - in other words, not a point of arrival but a starting point for
further explorations. At the end of the questionnaire you will therefore be
asked to observe the results critically and to use your knowledge of your
behaviours, habits, attitudes, etc., to change or refine what appears to be your
own personal profile.
N.B. To answer the questionnaire you can use a pdf version that you can download
and/or print here.
Choose the answer that best represents you. Skim through the statements quickly,
without thinking too much about them.
Remember that there are no right or wrong answers!
PART 1
Decide how each of the following statements applies to you personally. Circle
the number in the appropriate column.
This is just like me
This is a bit like me
This is definitely
not like me
1. To "get in touch" with a film I need some time and to see different
scenes. 2 1 0
2. I don't like movies that end in a completely unexpected way. 2 1 0
3. I can't stand films at a very slow pace.
2 1 0
4. I feel the need to understand why a character behaves in a certain
way. 2 1 0
5. I don't like movies where there are several intertwining stories. 2 1 0
6. I dislike movies (for example, crime/thrillers) where you have to pay
attention to clues and details. 2 1 0
7. I like movies where what counts are action and movement. 2 1 0
8. I appreciate films that invite reflection and discussion. 2 1 0
9. I like characters to be well defined from the start. 2 1 0
10. I watch a movie even if I have read a bad review. 2 1 0
11. I don't like those plots where the end presents
some unclarified or unresolved
points. 2 1 0
12. I appreciate movies where you have to pay close attention to the
details of individual scenes. 2 1 0
13. I like movies that keep giving me strong emotions. 2 1 0
14. I like to focus on individual characters rather than the overall
plot. 2 1 0
15. I tend to judge a character or get a good idea of her/him from the
very first scenes. 2 1 0
16. I prefer films whose director and/or actors/actresses I know well
and appreciate. 2 1 0
17. I don't like films with too complex plots, in which you have to
follow even the smallest details. 2 1 0
18. If a movie ends in an ambiguous or unclear way, I'm still glad I saw
it. 2 1 0
19. The first impressions I get of a character or situation are very
important to me. 2 1 0
20. I prefer movies with a plot that develops clearly and logically. 2 1 0
21. I'm not happy if I haven't been able to fully understand all the
developments of the plot. 2 1 0
22. I like movies whose genre is clear, for example a comedy, a
drama, a n action movie ... 2 1 0
23. I prefer films in which, in addition to feeling emotions, one must
also reflect. 2 1 0
24. If someone gives me a negative opinion of a movie, I'm unlikely to
go and see it. 2 1 0
25. At the end of a film it is easy for me to say what its overall
meaning is. 2 1 0
26. I quickly get a feel for the characters and how the story will
unfold. 2 1 0
27. When I choose a film I don't give much weight to the name of the
director and/or actors/actresses. 2 1 0
28. Before judging a character I expect to see her/him in action in many
scenes. 2 1 0
29. I get easily carried away by the emotions of the story as a whole. 2 1 0
30. I prefer movies with lots of action and lots of movement. 2 1 0
31. I'm more involved in the story as a whole than in individual scenes. 2 1 0
32. I appreciate movies with an ending that surprises me. 2 1 0
33. I like movies whose plot develops gradually, step by step. 2 1 0
34. I notice and appreciate details such as costumes, sets, colors ... 2 1 0
35. I prefer films in which the personality of characters is clearly
described. 2 1 0
36. I listen carefully to dialogues and monologues to better understand
characters. 2 1 0
37. I find it easy to guess how the plot of a film will develop. 2 1 0
38. I appreciate a film as a whole, without paying attention to
particular aspects such as acting, sets, music, etc. 2 1 0
39. I accept certain characters even if their personality or role in the
film are not entirely clear. 2 1 0
40. I like movies that give me strong emotions. 2 1 0
For eample:
-
- if for the global style in statement 6 you have circled number 2, fill in the first two squares on the relevant line.
|
STATEMENTS |
|
<------> | GLOBAL | STATEMENTS |
|
12 14 21 34 36 |
□
□
□
□ □ □ □ □ □ ■ |
■ ■ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ | 6 17 25 31 38 |
| STATEMENTS | THINKING STYLES | STATEMENTS | ||
|
|
|
<----> | GLOBAL | |
| 12 14 21 34 36 |
□
□ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ |
□
□ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ |
6 17 25 31 38 | |
| REFLECTIVE | <----> | IMPULSIVE | ||
|
1 4 8 23 28 |
□
□ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ |
□
□ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ |
3 7 13 29 30 | |
| SYSTEMATIC | <----> |
INTUITIVE |
||
|
5 9 20 33 35 |
□
□ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ |
□
□ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ |
15 19 26 37 40 | |
|
INTOLERANT of ambiguity and risk |
<----> |
TOLERANT of ambiguity and risk |
||
| 2 11 16 22 24 |
□
□ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ |
□
□ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ |
10 18 27 32 39 | |
PART 3
Think about the results and, if you can, discuss them with someone: do you agree with the results of the questionnaire?
□ YES, because (give examples of your behaviors, habits, preferences, attitudes
...)
...……………………………………………………………….…………………………………..................................
□ NO, because (give examples of your behaviors, habits, preferences, attitudes
...)
..…………………….………………………………………………………………………………..……………............
□ Did you find this questionnaire useful? Do you think you've discovered
something new or interesting?
............................................................................................................................................................................
Back to cinemafocus.eu Home page