The Movie `As Good As it Gets`

Distorted Feedback and Obsolete Information

as Influences on Self-Concept

in the Film

As Good As It Gets

Information and stimulus from external sources are what shape the way we perceive ourselves . Distorted feedback and obsolete information are two forms of these external factors . Distorted feedback from offensive statements from others , whether intentional or not , can have a profound effect on us . Obsolete information is also significant in that it can shape and adversely affect our perception and understanding of the reason for the way others interact with us

In

the movie As Good As It Gets , the characters create and experience distorted feedback in their interactions with each other . Some of their actions are also spurred on by assumptions that are sometimes obsolete Melvin the misanthrope

The main character , Melvin Udall , is an obsessive-compulsive misanthropic , homophobic , irascible , reclusive , racist writer . At the beginning of the movie , Melvin 's self-concept is largely manifested through depictions of offensive smugness and self-centeredness . Much of the distorted feedback experienced by characters in the movie stems from his offensive attitude

Melvin offends and insults almost everybody he meets , and is especially adept at spawning distorted feedback in people around him , seeming to have no empathy . For example , Melvin calls a slightly overweight waitress taking his an elephant . In another instance , when one of his female fans asks him how he writes women so well , he says "I think of a man , then I take away reason and accountability " In these remarks we can see that Melvin feels superior to others (or perhaps is eager to appear superior

Melvin is aware of his obsessive-compulsive dis this in one of the aspects of his self-concept . His psychological condition makes it difficult to judge what he is actually feeling - instead what the audience gets are snide remarks that may veil his true emotions Whenever he spouts insults , it 's hard to tell if he actually means to offend , or if he is just so used to speaking with cynical humor Nevertheless any offensive remarks that Melvin receives are largely from retaliation , although he seems hardly affected by any of this . However judging from the fact that he is a successful writer of romance , Melvin is obviously not ignorant of nor that govern human behavior

Melvin initially does not like dogs and is homophobic . Even when he grudgingly takes in Simon 's dog , he assumes that he will dislike the dog . However , he develops a fondness for the dog , and is saddened when Simon takes his dog back . The obsolete information here is the fact that he was a dog-hater he has now unwittingly become to a dog This disruption of his self-concept , among several others , leads him to a better understanding of himself , and thus leads to a modified self-concept

Near the end of the movie , Melvin agonizes over Carol . He denies that he loves her he says that she has evicted him from his previous life . He is still working on the now obsolete assumption...