Positive Psychology in the Indian Film Industry: a Promising Area of Research

Movies may be considered a very powerful medium of entertainment, and at the same time they offer insights into various aspects of human behavior. Psychologists in the West have been observing different aspects of psychology in the movies- social behavior, psychological disorders, etc. Also, the advent of Positive Psychology marks an interesting shift in perspective as far as research in the field of psychology is concerned, and therefore has had some impact in the area of movies as well. Positive psychologists have been doing some research in the area of films, Niemiec, a psychologist practising in St. Louis being the fore runner. The Indian film industry being such a powerful mode of entertainment in the country warrants research in this area, which may pave way for psycho-educational and therapeutic utilization of the information thus obtained.