The Couch Potato Plato

Psychopathy

10 Films for Survivors of Psychopathic Abuse

Jonathan Doucette Ph.D. on August 6, 2023

Feeling discouraged that psychopaths always seem to get away with their misdeeds? These 10 films show what happens when psychopaths meet their match.

Feeling discouraged that psychopaths always seem to get away with their misdeeds? These 10 films show what happens when psychopaths meet their match.

Sexual Abuse

Navigating Institutional Betrayal: Review of "Know My Name"

Jonathan Doucette Ph.D. on August 1, 2023

What one sexual assault survivor's story can tell us about navigating institutional betrayal.

What one sexual assault survivor's story can tell us about navigating institutional betrayal.

Trauma

3 Things to Watch Now That "Barry" Is Over

Jonathan Doucette Ph.D. on June 4, 2023

A look at trauma and dissociation in film and television.

A look at trauma and dissociation in film and television.

Sex

Too Numb To Act: Cultural Dissociation in Netflix's "Maid"

Jonathan Doucette Ph.D. on May 16, 2023

Have you ever felt too numb and exhausted to care? Cultural dissociation may be to blame.

Have you ever felt too numb and exhausted to care? Cultural dissociation may be to blame.

Psychopathy

10 Films That Help Explain Female Psychopaths

Jonathan Doucette Ph.D. on March 28, 2023

A Personal Perspective: 10 films offer fresh takes on psychopathic manipulation.

A Personal Perspective: 10 films offer fresh takes on psychopathic manipulation.

Anger

What Gender Does—and Doesn't—Tell Us About Psychopathy

Jonathan Doucette Ph.D. on March 27, 2023

Do female psychopaths behave differently than male psychopaths? Here's what gender studies can do to help answer this question.

Do female psychopaths behave differently than male psychopaths? Here's what gender studies can do to help answer this question.

Relationships

'Poker Face': A Love Letter to Scapegoats

Jonathan Doucette Ph.D. on March 16, 2023

"Poker Face" asks the question: Does the truth matter?

"Poker Face" asks the question: Does the truth matter?

Imagination

Women Talking: Internal Family Systems in Film

Jonathan Doucette Ph.D. on March 11, 2023

Not sure how to talk to your internal parts? Watching this film might help.

Not sure how to talk to your internal parts? Watching this film might help.

Trauma

The Couch Potato Plato

Jonathan Doucette Ph.D. on November 7, 2022

Rather than shaming couch potatoes for their addiction to film or television, we may do well to examine their experience.

Rather than shaming couch potatoes for their addiction to film or television, we may do well to examine their experience.