Theses and dissertations

This collection includes both ASU Theses and Dissertations, submitted by graduate students, and the Barrett, Honors College theses submitted by undergraduate students. 

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The Accuracy of Mental Disorders in Media, the Importance of Their Proper Portrayal, and the Affects They Have on Society

Description

The portrayal of those with mental health disorders in film and television, particularly those with disorders that label them as psychopaths, have often been overlooked. It is all too common for mental health disorders to be romanticized, dramatized, or simply depicted incorrectly. The historical fiction films Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil…

The portrayal of those with mental health disorders in film and television, particularly those with disorders that label them as psychopaths, have often been overlooked. It is all too common for mental health disorders to be romanticized, dramatized, or simply depicted incorrectly. The historical fiction films Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile and My Friend Dahmer depict serial killers Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer respectively, and while depict historical events to a degree of accuracy, still take creative liberties. The proper definition of psychopathy must be analyzed more and the reason why films about psychopaths are popular with audiences must be as well.
ContributorsCompanik, Noah (Author) / Arce, Alma (Thesis director) / Gruber, Diane (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Contributor) / School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Contributor)
Created2022-05

Analyzing Societies' Obsession with Horror and Crime Films

Description
Whether fights to the death, or a masked murderer chasing an unwilling teen, viewers are seemingly drawn to human suffering. This thesis will examine the blurring of lines between traditional horror and crime films to better understand how both films provide a similar experience, as well as apply traditional film…

Whether fights to the death, or a masked murderer chasing an unwilling teen, viewers are seemingly drawn to human suffering. This thesis will examine the blurring of lines between traditional horror and crime films to better understand how both films provide a similar experience, as well as apply traditional film theories on pleasurable viewership to both genres, in an attempt to discover viewers’ attraction to the perverse.
ContributorsBenavidez, Markus A (Author) / Miller, April (Thesis director) / Mack, Robert (Committee member) / School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Contributor) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
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Analysis of Serial Killer Characterization in Films 1990-2019

Description
Serial killers make up a small amount of crime yet are seen in hundreds if not thousands of movies. The way they have been presented and the films in which they are presented have evolved in the past three decades. Looking at six movies from this thirty year period,…

Serial killers make up a small amount of crime yet are seen in hundreds if not thousands of movies. The way they have been presented and the films in which they are presented have evolved in the past three decades. Looking at six movies from this thirty year period, analysis of the evolution of serial killers in films will be discussed. There has been an increase in the levels of violence in these films as well as a more relatable, three-dimensional serial killer. There has also been a disproportionate amount of attention given to the serial killer rather than the victims.
ContributorsHeninger, Jake (Author) / Gordon, Karen (Thesis director) / Brehman, Brian (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Contributor)
Created2022-05