Name _____________________________________________________________________ Period ______
A Beautiful Mind
We have been discussing the psychological disorder, Schizophrenia. A Beautiful Mind is based on the life
of Dr. John Nash and his struggle with the disorder. As you will see in next week’s documentary, A Brilliant
Madness, John Nash dealt with schizophrenia and went on to win the Nobel Prize in Economics. Although it is a
debilitating disorder, patients can be helped through various means and carry on with their lives.
The following is taken from the film’s case and will hopefully give you some insight into John Nash, his disorder and
the steps taken to create an accurate of a picture of his journey through life with schizophrenia.
“A Beautiful Mind stars Russell Crowe in an astonishing performance as brilliant mathematician John Nash,
on the brink of international acclaim when he becomes entangled in a mysterious conspiracy. Now, only his devoted
wife (Jennifer Connelly) can help him in this powerful story of courage, passion and triumph.
“A key to the film’s deeply personal authenticity was the involvement of the real John Forbes Nash, Jr.
During the movie’s pre-production phase, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer invited Nash to join them to lecture about
his work, giving the filmmakers a chance to observe the mathematician in person. “The real benefit,” says Howard,
“Was that we saw Nash really being Nash and operating on his terms in the world.” Due to scheduling conflicts,
however, Russell Crowe was unable to meet with Nash before filming began. Accordingly, the actor – known for his
exhaustive character research – immersed himself in recent video recordings of Nash, as well as studying…the
acclaimed biography of the mathematician and familiarizing himself with Nash’s writings.
“Then, just as location shooting had started at Princeton, Dr. Nash turned up on the set. Crowe recalls that
he was quick to take advantage of the occasion: “I met him that day and got some very valuable things from just
standing in front of him.” The dramatic result is an exquisite portrayal that brought the Oscar-winning star his
third Best Actor Academy Award Nomination.”
I hope you enjoy the film. Although there are inaccuracies due to the fact that it needed to appeal to and
be easily understood by a wide audience, it is a beautiful portrayal of what was happening in the mind of John Nash.
I hope it gives you an appreciation and better understanding of schizophrenia and the difficulties in overcoming
the disorder.
Your Assignment:
After class discussion and notes, you have a knowledge base of schizophrenia. Based on this discussion,
notes and material in the text, you are to apply your knowledge of schizophrenia and apply it to the struggle
displayed by John Nash in the film, A Beautiful Mind.
1.
What are hallucinations and what types of hallucinations does Nash experience? Give examples. Please
define hallucination in general and then give examples of his visual and auditory hallucinations.
a. Hallucination:
b. Two examples of visual hallucinations from film:
c.
Two examples of auditory hallucinations from film:
2. What are delusions and what types of delusions does Nash experience? Give examples. Please make sure
you define delusion in general and define each type (3 of them). Give examples of the different types
Nash has.
a. Delusion:
b. Delusion of grandeur:
c.
Delusion of grandeur example from film:
d. Delusion of reference:
e.
Delusion of reference example from film:
f.
Delusion of persecution:
g.
Delusion of persecution example from film:
3. What are positive symptoms that can be seen in a schizophrenic? Give specific examples of positive
symptoms that Nash displayed.
a. Positive symptoms:
b. Two examples of positive symptoms from film:
4. What are negative symptoms that can be seen in a schizophrenic? Give specific examples of negative
symptoms that Nash displayed.
a. Negative symptoms:
b. Two examples of negative symptoms from film:
5. Which type of schizophrenia do you think Nash has and why? Be sure to include symptoms that
characterize the type you believe he has.
6. Although the onset of schizophrenia is not completely evident, give some information from the film that
might indicate that it was a gradual onset. Remember what we discussed in class!
7. Although the onset of schizophrenia is not completely evident, give some information from the film that
might indicate that it was a sudden onset. Remember what we discussed in class!
Requirements:
In order for the opportunity to earn full credit for your responses, you must:
 Answer the questions in a detailed manner that demonstrates your knowledge of schizophrenia and
apply this knowledge to the film and Nash.
 Not appear as if you didn’t’ take any notes in class and threw anything you could think of together the
night before they’re due.
 Be your own work! Any responses that appear to be copied will not be accepted and will receive a ZERO!
 This is worth 30 points!!!! That’s A LOT of points when you compare it to how many homework
assignments you get. Don’t blow it the last 2 weeks of the semester!!!!