MOTIVATION AND EMOTION IN FILM

Motivation and Emotion in Film

Motivation and Emotion in Film

Mystic River, a film directed by Clint Eastwood, follows this formula in some respect but it would be note worthy to examine how it differs. Dave Boyle is playing in the street when a sedan pulls up and then drives away with Dave in the back. The guys in the car were pedophiles who scarred Dave for life. This incident, considered to be the mysterious past sin of the Greek tragedy, influenced the three boys profoundly. As a result they would grow up to be different types of men. (Kriegman 2009) We can relate the characters to the expectancy theory. The expectancy theory of motivation has become a commonly accepted theory for explaining how individuals make decisions regarding various behavioral alternatives. (Lehane 2004)

Dave seems to lead a normal life. With a wife, a son and a home in suburbia Boston. Dave perhaps is initially in need of the most help due to his abduction at the hands of two “vampires” (child molesters). Dave's relationship with his wife and son is very stable until Dave's wife starts having her doubts about her husband's involvement in the murder of the Markham girl. Everyone in this tragic story has more than just one psychological flaw and what makes them so easy to interpret and find is the fact that the story and the characters involved are all very realistic. We can relate this character to expectancy theory as this theory emphasizes the needs for organizations to relate rewards directly to performance and to ensure that the rewards provided are those rewards deserved and wanted by the recipients.

Mystic River is a film in which every character could use some kind of psychotherapy. Expectancy theory is about the mental processes regarding choice, or choosing. It explains the processes that an individual undergoes to make choices. In organizational behavior study, expectancy theory is a motivation theory first proposed by Victor Vroom of the Yale School of Management. We can relate to Dave Boyle, as he even had choices after he was abused in childhood. Although married to a fine woman and with a young son he adores, Dave had trouble holding down a job and struggles with a "dark side" resulting from his abduction at 11. He was tormented by demons, which tempt him to commit the same perversity done to him versus countering forces that urge him to destroy pedophiles, like the two who subjected him to marathon molestations. Dave is also the prime suspect in Katie's murder. (NoveList 2001)

As Vroom says the product of these variables is the motivation. In order to enhance the performance-outcome tie, managers should use systems that tie rewards very closely to performance. Managers also need to ensure that the rewards provided are deserved and wanted by the recipients. In order to improve the effort-performance tie, managers should engage in training to improve their capabilities and improve their belief that added effort will in fact lead to better ...