What About Bob
Psychological Analysis of What About Bob
Danyel Samuel
Psy-137
6/18/2014
Abstract
The movie “What About Bob” follows the story of the two main protagonists Dr. Leo Marvin (played by Richard Dreyfuss), and Bob Wiley (played by Bill Murray). Throughtout the movie, these two display a number of psychological related problems. After Bob successfully tracked down where Mr. Leo Marvin lived, he then journeyed there because he felt safer near Dr. Marvin. During Bob 's stay, Dr. Marvin becomes increasingly hostile and angry, while Bob continues to show improvement.
Psychological Analysis of What About Bob
The movie “What About Bob” is based on a psychiatrist named Dr. Leo Marvin and his new patient named Bob Wiley. During the progression of this movie, both of the protagonists began to become different, displaying changes in personality, behaviors, and roles.
Behaviors Displayed
From the start of the movie, Dr. Marvin showed signs of being very self-centered. Bob showed signs of having Mysophobia, which is a fear of germs. This is displayed when he goes to open the door, he does so by using a tissue to touch the knob. Also, he seems to have a generalized anxiety disorder, being that starts to be really tense when in public around other strangers(Myers, 2010). When in public, he displayed a state of being nervous. While walking to Dr. Marvins office, he started to chant “I feel good, I feel great, I feel wonderful”. This is probably caused by having Social Phobia, which is a social phobia disorder. People with this phobia tend to stay away from the outside world and be alone(NIHM, 2014). This could explain why Bob prefers to work at home. Also, he doesn 't seem to have any friends. Other than his fish, and his doctors, he doesn 't communicate with anyone. When he arrived at the building where Dr. Marvin 's office resides, he was told to head to the 44th floor using the elevator. As he was about to get on the elevator, he started cringing and while
Danyel Samuel
Psy-137
6/18/2014
Abstract
The movie “What About Bob” follows the story of the two main protagonists Dr. Leo Marvin (played by Richard Dreyfuss), and Bob Wiley (played by Bill Murray). Throughtout the movie, these two display a number of psychological related problems. After Bob successfully tracked down where Mr. Leo Marvin lived, he then journeyed there because he felt safer near Dr. Marvin. During Bob 's stay, Dr. Marvin becomes increasingly hostile and angry, while Bob continues to show improvement.
Psychological Analysis of What About Bob
The movie “What About Bob” is based on a psychiatrist named Dr. Leo Marvin and his new patient named Bob Wiley. During the progression of this movie, both of the protagonists began to become different, displaying changes in personality, behaviors, and roles.
Behaviors Displayed
From the start of the movie, Dr. Marvin showed signs of being very self-centered. Bob showed signs of having Mysophobia, which is a fear of germs. This is displayed when he goes to open the door, he does so by using a tissue to touch the knob. Also, he seems to have a generalized anxiety disorder, being that starts to be really tense when in public around other strangers(Myers, 2010). When in public, he displayed a state of being nervous. While walking to Dr. Marvins office, he started to chant “I feel good, I feel great, I feel wonderful”. This is probably caused by having Social Phobia, which is a social phobia disorder. People with this phobia tend to stay away from the outside world and be alone(NIHM, 2014). This could explain why Bob prefers to work at home. Also, he doesn 't seem to have any friends. Other than his fish, and his doctors, he doesn 't communicate with anyone. When he arrived at the building where Dr. Marvin 's office resides, he was told to head to the 44th floor using the elevator. As he was about to get on the elevator, he started cringing and while
References: Myers, David G. (2010). Psychology, Ninth Edition in Modules. (Ninth edition). New York: Worth Publishers. National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad/index.shtml Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder). (n.d.). NIMH RSS. Retrieved June 15, 2014, from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/social-phobia-social-anxiety-disorder/index.html Jackson, J.W. (2000). Demonstrating the concept of illusory correlation. Teaching of Psychology, 27, 273-276.