Draft: Problems in Analyzing

While writing my draft, I encountered a few problems. I had some trouble in differentiating between giving a background story and analyzing. While I was trying to analyze my scenes, it sounded like I was more so describing them and giving a background story of the film rather than going into depth about the meaning of the scenes. I should have more detail for specific parts rather than trying to explain the entire scene word for word. Also, in my draft, I wasn’t sure where to put my literature review, and if I should include it while analyzing. Now I know it goes right after the introduction, but while writing my draft I mixed that up a little bit. 

Shame-focused Coping Article: An Important Source

An Important Source I have found in my research is “Shame-focused Coping: An Empirical Study of the Compass of Shame” by Jeff Elison of Southern Utah University and Steven Polus and Randy Lennon of the University of Northern Colorado. This article includes great descriptions of the script theory in shame theory, and this is really helpful in seeing the different ways in which one deals with shame. Also, I was able to figure out which scripts Thor displays throughout the film, and how his reactions to shame are the most important aspect of the shame event. His reactions definitely help shape his character in numerous ways throughout the film. 

Thor becomes a hero

My latest working thesis is Thor does not become a hero until his experiences with shame conquer his excessive pride. This is similar to my previous thesis, but more clear and put together. It still shows that Thor’s character has improved because he has experienced shame. However, I don’t think Thor was a successful hero at all until he experienced shame. His excessive pride caused him to make mistakes and impulse decisions, and I think once he experiences shame and reaches a state of emotional maturity, his pride comes down to a reasonable level that others can respect and tolerate. 

The Role of Attributions in the Process of Overcoming Shame

Another source I found is by Jessica K. Van Vliet of the University of Alberta. She describes shame events, and how shame has led to psychological disorders, including depression, eating disorders, and addictions. One quote she includes is “shame stems from evaluations of internal and external events and from cultural standards that are internalized by the individual.” This quote really stuck out to me. Shame events are so affective because the person looks at what is acceptable by society and what is not, or embarrassing or humiliating, based on their internal and external feelings as well as the culture they know.

Investigating the Compass of Shame: The Development of the Compass of Shame Scale

One really helpful source I found in my research is the article “Investigating the Compass of Shame: the Development of the Compass of Shame Scale by Jeff Elison, Randy Lennon, and Steven Pulos. Jeff Elison, a member of the department of psychology of Southern Utah University, and Randy Lennon and Steven Pulos of the University of Northern Colorado, describe in this article the effects of shame, as well as the four scripts of shame: attack other, attack self, avoidance, and withdrawal. These four scripts are the four well-known reactions to a shame event. They also include a study in the article, displaying the four scripts of shame and how they can correlate with each other. 

Working Thesis

Currently, my working thesis is Thor’s banishment and emotion of shame from his home planet of Asgard affects him physically, socially, and mentally. Also, I think his experience with shame has changed his character for the better. At the beginning of the film, Thor is a very prideful, arrogant character. His experience with shame calms him down, and his pride then becomes at a respectable level. I think his experience with shame has changed his emotional maturity, and therefore he becomes a better person. He is challenged physically and mentally several times while on his banishment, and these challenges prove him worthy.

Research Schedule

For my research project, I plan to do research a couple nights out of the week. I’m trying to plan my research on the nights that I’m not working, so it’s kind of scattered at the moment, and I don’t have an exact schedule set in stone. I did check out a book through Waubonsee’s interlibrary loan titled Shame and Guilt so I plan to read that at least three times a week to see what information I can get out of it. I have also found a few articles online that could be really helpful in my research. I plan to read through those first and highlight or mark which information could be useful, and then include them in my annotated bibliography.