Here are 100 books that Psychology at the Movies fans have personally recommended if you like Psychology at the Movies. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Film

Danny Wedding Author Of Movies and Mental Illness

From my list on learn how to use movies as classroom teaching tools.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have a reputation as an expert on the portrayal of psychopathology in contemporary cinema, and I have lectured on this topic hundreds of times in dozens of different countries. This reputation builds on five editions of Movies and Mental Illness and two editions of Positive Psychology at the Movies. I am also currently coauthoring a third book: Movies, Mini-series, and Multiculturalism: Using Films to Understand Culture, and I edit a series of film reviews for Hogrefe titled A Clinical Psychologist Goes to the Movies. Much of my career has been devoted to exploring the fascinating interface of psychopathology and media.

Danny's book list on learn how to use movies as classroom teaching tools

Danny Wedding Why Danny loves this book

I loved this book. It is a quick read (100 pages) that will introduce readers to the importance of film in contemporary society.

Schlozman is a child psychiatrist who writes beautifully; he is also one of the world’s leading authorities on the relationship between cinema and mental illness, and he is someone who is deeply concerned by the ways in which films perpetuate stigma for people who are coping with mental illness, substance abuse or a developmental disability. Schlozman was an English teacher before becoming a psychiatrist; this is likely one of the reasons he writes so well.

By Steven Schlozman ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Film as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Our world is inundated by film. Our best stories are told on movie screens, on televisions, on smartphones and laptops. Film argues that on-screen storytelling is the most ubiquitous format for art to intersect with health and well-being, offering a way for us to appreciate, understand and even celebrate the most nuanced and complex notions of what it means to be healthy through the stories that we watch unfolding. Clinicians use film to better understand their patients, and individuals use film to better understand themselves and each other.
Using case histories and based on academic research from a range of…


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Book cover of The High House

The High House by James Stoddard,

The Victorian mansion, Evenmere, is the mechanism that runs the universe.

The lamps must be lit, or the stars die. The clocks must be wound, or Time ceases. The Balance between Order and Chaos must be preserved, or Existence crumbles.

Appointed the Steward of Evenmere, Carter Anderson must learn the…

Book cover of Characters on the Couch

Danny Wedding Author Of Movies and Mental Illness

From my list on learn how to use movies as classroom teaching tools.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have a reputation as an expert on the portrayal of psychopathology in contemporary cinema, and I have lectured on this topic hundreds of times in dozens of different countries. This reputation builds on five editions of Movies and Mental Illness and two editions of Positive Psychology at the Movies. I am also currently coauthoring a third book: Movies, Mini-series, and Multiculturalism: Using Films to Understand Culture, and I edit a series of film reviews for Hogrefe titled A Clinical Psychologist Goes to the Movies. Much of my career has been devoted to exploring the fascinating interface of psychopathology and media.

Danny's book list on learn how to use movies as classroom teaching tools

Danny Wedding Why Danny loves this book

I found this book to be full of literary and film examples of mental illness that I could bring into the courses I teach in abnormal psychology and medical ethics.

The writing is clear and engaging, and the book introduced me to numerous films that I had not previously seen. I was especially interested in the discussion of films that illustrate (a) positive psychology and (b) movies that depict therapists in action.  

By Dean Haycock ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Characters on the Couch as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Providing intriguing insights for students, film buffs, and readers of various genres of fiction, this fascinating book delves into the psychology of 100 well-known fictional characters. Our favorite fictional characters from books and movies often display an impressive and wide range of psychological attributes, both positive and negative. We admire their resilience, courage, humanity, or justice, and we are intrigued by other characters who show signs of personality disorders and mental illness-psychopathy, narcissism, antisocial personality, paranoia, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, among many other conditions. This book examines the psychological attributes and motivations of 100 fascinating characters that include examples of…


Book cover of Cinemeducation

Danny Wedding Author Of Movies and Mental Illness

From my list on learn how to use movies as classroom teaching tools.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have a reputation as an expert on the portrayal of psychopathology in contemporary cinema, and I have lectured on this topic hundreds of times in dozens of different countries. This reputation builds on five editions of Movies and Mental Illness and two editions of Positive Psychology at the Movies. I am also currently coauthoring a third book: Movies, Mini-series, and Multiculturalism: Using Films to Understand Culture, and I edit a series of film reviews for Hogrefe titled A Clinical Psychologist Goes to the Movies. Much of my career has been devoted to exploring the fascinating interface of psychopathology and media.

Danny's book list on learn how to use movies as classroom teaching tools

Danny Wedding Why Danny loves this book

I have devoted much of my life to teaching medical students about mental illness and medical ethics, and this edited book is the best source for recommending films that are appropriate for the classroom. Medical students don’t have enough free time to watch entire films, but they love it when I bring in clips that illustrate schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, for example.

I found the book especially helpful for teaching interviewing skills–it is far less threatening for students to see examples of bad practice than to have these same behaviors pop up in clinical settings or in role-playing scenarios. 

By Matthew Alexander (editor) , Patricia Lenahan (editor) , Anna Pavlov (editor)

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Cinemeducation as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"Whole System Working" is an approach that enables people to find sustainable solutions to local problems. It is also a theoretical approach to organizational development that views groups of people who share a common purpose as a "living system". Based on King's Fund work over four years with health agencies and their local partners in housing, local government, the independent sector, transport, and local people, this book describes the founding principles which characterize the approach, gives examples of its application in practice, and answers common questions.


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Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Book cover of Madness at the Movies

Danny Wedding Author Of Movies and Mental Illness

From my list on learn how to use movies as classroom teaching tools.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have a reputation as an expert on the portrayal of psychopathology in contemporary cinema, and I have lectured on this topic hundreds of times in dozens of different countries. This reputation builds on five editions of Movies and Mental Illness and two editions of Positive Psychology at the Movies. I am also currently coauthoring a third book: Movies, Mini-series, and Multiculturalism: Using Films to Understand Culture, and I edit a series of film reviews for Hogrefe titled A Clinical Psychologist Goes to the Movies. Much of my career has been devoted to exploring the fascinating interface of psychopathology and media.

Danny's book list on learn how to use movies as classroom teaching tools

Danny Wedding Why Danny loves this book

I found this book perfect for my dual interests in mental illness and cinema; it is current (copyright 2023) and engaging. Charney is a practicing child psychiatry who brings extensive clinical experience to his writing. He also loves films, and this comes across in this book.

I especially like the numerous film grabs that illustrate this interesting volume, and it was especially interesting to see another therapist’s reactions to dozens of films I have watched and loved.

By James Charney ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Madness at the Movies as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A unique exploration of how mental illness is portrayed in classic and contemporary films.

The study of classic and contemporary films can provide a powerful avenue to understand the experience of mental illness. In Madness at the Movies, James Charney, MD, a practicing psychiatrist and long-time cinephile, examines films that delve deeply into characters' inner worlds, and he analyzes moments that help define their particular mental illness.

Based on the highly popular course that Charney taught at Yale University and the American University of Rome, Madness at the Movies introduces readers to films that may be new to them and…


Book cover of Words That Change Minds: The 14 Patterns for Mastering the Language of Influence

Roger Ellerton Author Of Live Your Dreams Let Reality Catch Up: NLP and Common Sense for Coaches, Managers and You

From my list on neuro-linguistic programming.

Why am I passionate about this?

I enjoy helping others get what they desire in life. As a long-time successful businessman, university professor, NLP trainer/coach, public speaker, and author, I have first-hand experience with the personal/professional balancing act required in these times. I believe each of us can achieve the success we desire by developing our authentic selves, mastering internal and external congruence, and taking charge of our lives. For over 30 years, I’ve been a student of personal development methodologies. I continue to transform my own life while assisting others from all walks of life and ages to learn, to address challenges at work and at home, and to get more of what they desire.

Roger's book list on neuro-linguistic programming

Roger Ellerton Why Roger loves this book

We do not necessarily experience the world around us the same as our friends, family members, or others we meet in our daily lives. Charvet presents 14 significant language/behaviours that distinguish how we react to our experiences that may be different from those with whom we wish to have a great relationship or influence. One such pattern is “toward -away from”. Toward-people are focused on their goals. They are motivated to have, get, achieve, attain, ... . Away-from people notice what should be avoided, gotten rid of, or fixed. Motivating a toward-person by telling them what needs to be avoided, simply doesn’t work.

By Shelle Rose Charvet ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Words That Change Minds as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

How to master Influencing Language and get what you want, without manipulating.

Do you work and live with people who are hard to convince? Who dismiss ideas before even thinking about them?

Do you want to know how to influence people, without being manipulative?

Want to find out how people get motivated, make decisions, to be more persuasive with everyone?

Learn how to use the right words with the right people, and get through the “Communication Wall”

Have you ever felt like you were talking to a wall? Well, that’s a very accurate description of what’s happening when 2 people…


Book cover of An Intellectual History of Psychology

Thomas R. Krause Author Of If Your Culture Could Talk

From my list on understand organizational life.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am an organizational psychologist interested in how leadership decision-making influences organizational culture. I’ve studied this for the last 5 years and developed models that pinpoint specific decisions that led to specific cultural attributes and related performance outcomes. I led a team that worked with the top 100 leaders at NASA after the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster. 

Thomas' book list on understand organizational life

Thomas R. Krause Why Thomas loves this book

Psychology is easy to misunderstand. When I decided it was going to be my undergraduate major, it was because I wanted to understand how the mind worked, broadly, what makes people tick, and how they can be guided or helped when they get stuck or have problems. I assumed this knowledge existed and that majoring in psychology would reveal it to me. 

I was more than surprised when I attended my first psychology class. The professor sat cross-legged on top of a desk. He had long hair and a beard (unusual in 1963), and he spoke as if he had just taken a drug, which he likely had. He used profane language, the first time I had heard that word in a public place. He blathered for about 30 minutes, saying nothing of importance to the subject I was interested in. 

I stayed in the class and continued the major…

By Daniel N. Robinson ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked An Intellectual History of Psychology as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

An Intellectual History of Psychology, already a classic in its field, is now available in a concise third edition. It presents psychological ideas as part of a greater web of thinking throughout history about the essentials of human nature, interwoven with ideas from philosophy, science, religion, art, literature, and politics.

Daniel N. Robinson demonstrates that from the dawn of rigorous and self-critical inquiry in ancient Greece, reflections about human nature have been inextricably linked to the cultures from which they arose, and each definable historical age has added its own character and tone to this long tradition. An Intellectual History…


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Book cover of Trusting Her Duke

Trusting Her Duke by Arietta Richmond,

A Duke with rigid opinions, a Lady whose beliefs conflict with his, a long disputed parcel of land, a conniving neighbour, a desperate collaboration, a failure of trust, a love found despite it all.

Alexander Cavendish, Duke of Ravensworth, returned from war to find that his father and brother had…

Book cover of Experimental Psychology Methods of Research

Thomas R. Krause Author Of If Your Culture Could Talk

From my list on understand organizational life.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am an organizational psychologist interested in how leadership decision-making influences organizational culture. I’ve studied this for the last 5 years and developed models that pinpoint specific decisions that led to specific cultural attributes and related performance outcomes. I led a team that worked with the top 100 leaders at NASA after the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster. 

Thomas' book list on understand organizational life

Thomas R. Krause Why Thomas loves this book

How do you know if a medication is effective, or if a training method does what you want it to do, or if a change in the employee selection process results in improving the hit rate? This amounts to understanding the relationship between variables. This is the domain of experimental methods, an area that experimental psychology excels in. 

I read this book as an undergraduate. It made me love the precision, the elegance, and the utility of the experimental method. Oh, if the journalists who write about polls, likely outcomes from legislation, public health problems, oh, if they had just read this book! The amount of confusion and misinformation still flying around about COVID, the effect of policy changes on economic variables, the increases or decreases in crime, suicide, and homicide rates, none of this can be understood properly without knowledge of experimental methods. 

And this is a book written…

By Frank J. McGuigan ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Experimental Psychology Methods of Research as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

For one-quarter/semester, sophomore/graduate-level courses in Research Methods and Experimental Psychology.

This text explores the field of experimental psychology from the standpoint of scientific methodology and methods of experimentation, rather than from specific content areas. It leads students step-by-step through the process of effectively completing statistical analyses for the major research designs used in behavioral research and emphasizes the mutual facilitation of pure and applied research and the wise application of effective research methods to benefit society.


Book cover of Special Children, Challenged Parents

Jennifer Celeste Briggs Author Of Watching Sarah Rise

From my list on every parent of an autistic child should read this.

Why am I passionate about this?

Mothering a child with special needs was a journey I didn’t expect to be taking and one that has been immensely challenging. I am always seeking ways to become my best self and the best mother I can be, helping my children be their best selves. I want my children to feel supported, loved, and like they can be their truest, fullest selves. These books helped me connect with my children in the ways that were the most helpful, impactful, and loving. They guided me in running a Son-Rise Program, which was by far the most influential thing I ever did to help my daughter with autism and developmental delays.

Jennifer's book list on every parent of an autistic child should read this

Jennifer Celeste Briggs Why Jennifer loves this book

I read this in the early days following Sarah’s medical diagnosis when she was one year old. It felt like finding water in a desert. It was the first time I came across any acknowledgment that parents of kids with special needs go through the grieving process.

I liked the explanation of why I was probably having a hard time: not only was I grieving, but I was, of course, also still navigating how to care for my child, who needed even more care than the typical child. Suddenly, I didn’t feel like a terrible person for having the feelings I was having.

When I let myself grieve without judgment, then, I moved through those difficult feelings more easily and could find some breathing room, which helped me be more available to take care of my daughter.

By Robert A. Naseef ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Special Children, Challenged Parents as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Not just another resource on parenting. More than a book on autism. This important book is a must-have guide for any parent of a child with a disability as well as anyone who works with or cares for those families. Special Children, Challenged Parents shares the unique perspective of a father of a son with autism, with additional reflection from his perspective as a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with families of children with disabilities.

This moving book illustrates the impact that a child's disability has on the entire family. It is a valuable aid to parents dealing with…


Book cover of Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You

Roxane Lapa Author Of How I Overcame Panic Disorder Without Drugs

From my list on overcoming anxiety.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve experienced crippling anxiety personally, to the point of nervous breakdown. I’ve researched this topic extensively and have been panic-free for over a decade due to the knowledge and coping skills accrued.

Roxane's book list on overcoming anxiety

Roxane Lapa Why Roxane loves this book

Dr. Henry Cloud, a clinical psychologist and Christian, has identified 4 areas of our lives that can really stunt us emotionally if they are out of balance. These 4 areas are bonding; boundaries; perception of good and bad; and emotional maturity. The book brings insight into these areas, which in turn brings healing. I’ve read this book twice about a decade apart, and both times, it changed my life massively for the better.

By Henry Cloud ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Changes That Heal as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A down-to-earth plan to help us recover from the wounds of the past and grow more and more into the image of God.

Many of us struggle with anxiety, loneliness, and feelings of inadequacy. We know that God created us in his image, but how can we be loving when we feel burned out? How can we be free when we struggle with addiction? Will we ever enjoy the complete healing God promises?

Combining his professional expertise and personal experience, renowned psychologist Dr. Henry Cloud guides us through four basic ways to become joy-filled, mature followers of Christ:

Connect more…


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Book cover of Aggressor

Aggressor by FX Holden,

It is April 1st, 2038. Day 60 of China's blockade of the rebel island of Taiwan.

The US government has agreed to provide Taiwan with a weapons system so advanced that it can disrupt the balance of power in the region. But what pilot would be crazy enough to run…

Book cover of 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos

Shannah Kennedy and Colleen Callander Author Of Elevate: Unlock Your Extraordinary Potential

From my list on that will change your life.

Why are we passionate about this?

We are thrilled to present this carefully curated book list. As passionate advocates for leadership, self-mastery, and health and well-being, we have handpicked these titles to inspire and empower individuals on their journey toward personal and professional growth. Each book within this collection resonates with principles that we believe are pivotal for fostering resilience, achieving self-mastery, and maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Whether you're seeking leadership insights, self-help guidance, or ways to enhance your overall well-being, these books offer a diverse range of perspectives and actionable strategies. We hope this collection becomes a valuable resource for you on your path to personal excellence. – Colleen Callander & Shannah Kennedy. 

Shannah's book list on that will change your life

Shannah Kennedy and Colleen Callander Why Shannah loves this book

I loved this book. It was a thought-provoking guide to navigating life's challenges and complexities. I especially loved the way Jordan Peterson drew on psychology, philosophy, and personal anecdotes to impart practical principles for finding meaning and purpose.

Each rule serves as a roadmap for self-improvement, urging you to confront challenges, take responsibility, and strive for a meaningful existence. Jordan Peterson's insights are both profound and accessible, providing me with a framework for personal growth in a world often marked by chaos.

Whether exploring the nature of truth or the importance of standing tall, this book is a compelling and enriching read.

By Jordan B. Peterson ,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked 12 Rules for Life as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Penguin presents the CD edition of 12 Rules for Life written and read by Jordan B. Peterson

Jordan Peterson's work as a clinical psychologist has reshaped the modern understanding of personality, and now he has become one of the world's most popular public thinkers, with his lectures on topics ranging from the Bible to romantic relationships drawing tens of millions of viewers. In an era of polarizing politics, echo chambers and trigger warnings, his startling message about the value of personal responsibility and the dangers of ideology has resonated around the world.

In this book, he combines ancient wisdom with…


Book cover of Film
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