Deutsch: Psychologischer Realismus / Español: Realismo Psicológico / Português: Realismo Psicológico / Français: Réalisme Psychologique / Italian: Realismo Psicologico
Psychological realism in the psychology context refers to a literary or artistic approach that emphasizes the accurate and in-depth portrayal of characters' thoughts, feelings, motivations, and psychological states. This approach aims to create characters and situations that feel authentic and true to life by exploring the complexities of the human mind and the subtle nuances of human behavior. Psychological realism is often used to describe works of fiction, literature, and film that focus on the internal experiences of characters, highlighting how these experiences influence their actions and interactions with the world.
Description
Psychological realism is a concept that bridges psychology and literature, focusing on the realistic depiction of human psychology in narratives. It involves creating characters whose thoughts, emotions, and motivations are deeply explored and presented in a way that reflects real human experiences. This literary technique goes beyond surface actions and dialogue to delve into the inner workings of the mind, providing insight into why characters behave as they do.
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Character Development: In psychological realism, character development is central. The narrative often revolves around the inner lives of the characters, exploring their fears, desires, conflicts, and moral dilemmas. The characters are portrayed as complex individuals with conflicting emotions and motivations, making them relatable and believable.
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Authenticity: Authors and artists employing psychological realism strive for authenticity in their depiction of psychological states. They aim to represent the complexities of human thought and emotion accurately, often drawing on psychological theories and observations of real-life behavior.
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Internal Conflict: Psychological realism frequently focuses on internal conflicts rather than external action. Characters may struggle with moral decisions, grapple with identity issues, or face psychological challenges that drive the narrative. This focus on internal struggle helps to create a rich, multidimensional portrayal of human experience.
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Subjective Experience: The narrative may be presented from a character's subjective point of view, allowing readers or viewers to experience events through the character's thoughts and emotions. This approach can create a deeper emotional connection and a more immersive experience for the audience.
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Influence of Psychology: Psychological realism is influenced by psychological theories and concepts, such as Freud’s theories of the unconscious, cognitive dissonance, and existential angst. Authors and creators use these ideas to craft characters whose behaviors and thoughts are rooted in psychological truth.
Application Areas
Psychological realism is relevant in several areas:
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Literature: Psychological realism is a prominent approach in novels, short stories, and plays where the focus is on the deep psychological development of characters. Authors like Fyodor Dostoevsky, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf are known for their use of psychological realism.
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Film and Television: In film and television, psychological realism can be seen in dramas and character studies that emphasize the inner life of characters. Directors and screenwriters use close-ups, voiceovers, and other techniques to convey the psychological depth of characters.
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Art: In visual arts, psychological realism might be depicted through portraiture or scenes that capture emotional depth and psychological complexity. The focus is on conveying the inner experience of the subject rather than just their outward appearance.
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Theatre: In theatre, psychological realism involves creating characters that are psychologically complex and believable, often through method acting, where actors deeply immerse themselves in the mental and emotional state of the characters they portray.
Well-Known Examples
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Fyodor Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment": This novel is a classic example of psychological realism, exploring the protagonist Raskolnikov's intense inner turmoil and moral dilemmas after committing a crime.
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Virginia Woolf’s "Mrs. Dalloway": Woolf’s novel delves deeply into the thoughts and feelings of its characters, particularly through stream-of-consciousness narration, highlighting their psychological experiences.
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Henry James’s "The Portrait of a Lady": This novel is known for its detailed exploration of the protagonist Isabel Archer’s psychological landscape as she navigates complex social and personal challenges.
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Ingmar Bergman’s Films: Many of Bergman’s films, such as Persona and Wild Strawberries, are renowned for their focus on the psychological depth of characters, exploring themes like identity, memory, and existential angst.
Similar Terms
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Stream of Consciousness: A narrative technique that attempts to capture the flow of thoughts and feelings as they occur in a character’s mind, often used in psychological realism.
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Character Study: A detailed exploration of a character’s psychological makeup, often central to works of psychological realism.
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Internal Monologue: The depiction of a character’s inner thoughts and feelings, often used in psychological realism to provide insight into their psyche.
Summary
Psychological realism in the psychology context is a literary and artistic approach that emphasizes the accurate and in-depth portrayal of characters' internal experiences, such as their thoughts, emotions, and motivations. This technique aims to create authentic and believable characters by exploring the complexities of the human mind. Psychological realism is widely used in literature, film, and other art forms to provide a deeper understanding of human behavior and to create narratives that resonate with the intricacies of real life. By focusing on the inner lives of characters, psychological realism offers rich, nuanced portrayals of human experience.
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