Being Obese. Confronts America’s prejudices about overweight people. Through interviews with children and adults, feelings and prejudices are examined. Experts discuss eating disorders, genetic predispositions, and dieting trends. (1985, 24 min.) Available from the Bureau of Audio Visual Instruction, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Madison, WI 53701.

Communication: The Nonverbal Agenda. An insightful and well-made exploration of the whole spectrum of nonverbal behavior: tone of voice, posture, facial expressions, gestures, use of space, eye contact, and body movement. This film employs excellent and sometimes humorous vignettes--mostly in organizational settings--to show how an understanding of nonverbal communication can enhance managerial effectiveness. For example, in separate meetings, a distasteful message is given to three individuals; the same words are spoken, but the effect varies from a severe reprimand to a friendly discussion, depending on the nonverbal cues given and received. (1975, 30 min.) University of California Extension, Center for Media and Independent Learning, 2000 Center Street, Fourth Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704.

Couples Arguing. Arguments between couples are an important aspect of interpersonal relationships. They allow the airing of divergent views so that a compromise becomes possible and violence is avoided. Here is the first documentary to investigate real couples in actual arguments. To capture this phenomenon with absolute spontaneity, the filmmakers had the couples call them whenever they were about to become embroiled in an argument. They would then go into separate rooms, wait for the documentary crew to arrive, and then resume their argument. Five couples are shown. They argue about issues such as money, sex, alcohol, and children. Differences of opinions are vented humorously, passionately, and sometimes venomously. One sees that despite seemingly irresolvable conflicts, many couples have positive feelings toward one another. In short, they argue as a way to be understood. (1987, 60 min.) Filmmakers Library, 124 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10016.

Dreamworlds. Using clips from more than 165 music videos, this explicit program explores the impact of seeing objectified images of women and sexual violence on viewers’ thoughts and behaviors. This could be a provocative introduction to the course by challenging students to think about how these images, which most of them will have taken for granted, can have very serious social psychological implications and consequences. For mature audiences—some of the footage is explicit. (1995, 56 min.) Available from Media Education (800-897-0089).

Face Value: Perceptions of Beauty. Examines the theory that people’s perceptions of attractiveness may be universal and biologically based, contrasting this idea with the perspective that perceptions of beauty change with time and place. The program considers computer analyses, shows contestants in a beauty contest, and examines the faces of today’s “beautiful people.” (1993, 26 min.) Available from Films for the Humanities and Sciences, P.O. Box 2053, Princeton, NJ 08543-2053 (800-257-5126).

The Familiar Face of Love. This film examines love and loving, and how we choose our mates and for what reasons. Dr. John Money of Johns Hopkins Hospital, author of numerous books on gender and sexuality, talks of a “love map” -- a mental blueprint of the ideal relationship we carry with us. This is formed by attitudes and experiences from early childhood. Children at a kibbutz in Israel are observed as they engage in “sex rehearsal play,” which Dr. Money feels is an essential stage in the development of a healthy love map. (1986, 47 min.) Available from Filmmakers Library, 124 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10016.

Friendship. This film examines the roles of factors such as proximity and similarity in influencing attraction and the strength of friendships. (1989, 30 min.) Available from Pennsylvania State University, Audio-Visual Services, University Park, PA 16802 (800-826-0132).

Human Sexuality (It’s Personal). Sexuality is an integral part of human identity and a primary factor in human behavior. This video explores the development of sexual behavior and considers the range of sexual experience and preference that exists within contemporary human society. (2000, 28 min) Available from Insight Media (800-233-9910).

Impression Formation and Interpersonal Attraction. This film presents research on central traits, first impressions, implicit personality theory, and need complementarity. It also includes an enactment of a “warm/cold” experiment and demonstrates the effects of familiarity on attraction. If you did not use this film for Chapter 3, it can be used here instead. (1975, 27 min.) Available from University Films of Canada, 7 Hayden St., Suite 305, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4Y 2P2.

Let's Get Married. This PBS Frontline video examines the public consequences of marriage and the social, political, and economic forces that converged to advance the modern-day marriage movement. (2002, 1 hour) Available from PBS Video (888-255-9231).

Looks! How They Affect Your Life. What are the psychological pressures that urge Americans to spend billions of dollars on cosmetics each year, or that lead so many people into plastic surgery? This video examines data that illustrate the social and psychological impact of fulfilling and not fulfilling the American “standards” of beauty. It features interviews with Elaine Hatfield, Judith Langolis, and others, including personal accounts given by children, teenagers, and adults. (1984, 51 min.) Available from the Bureau of Audio Visual Instruction, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Madison, WI 53701-2093.

Pain of Shyness. While two out of five Americans feel they are shy, few realize the extent to which a severe case of shyness can be handicapping. Dr. Philip Zimbardo of Stanford University explains some of the techniques that have been developed to overcome this handicap. The film illustrates some of these successful techniques, such as role playing, behavioral retraining, and desensitizing exercises. (1985, 17 min.) Available from Filmmakers Library, 124 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10016.

The Sexiest Animal. Examining human sexuality from social, political, and historical perspectives, this program reveals what is common, uncommon, acceptable, and unacceptable in modern Western culture. (1990, 38 min.) Bureau of Audio Visual Instruction, University of Wisconsin Extension, PO Box 2093, Madison, WI 53701-2093.

Stale Roles and Tight Buns. Sexism is a form of stereotyping that limits the roles of both men and women. The strength of sex-role stereotypes is subtly and continuously reinforced by common images. This video presents a selection of images of men found in consumer advertising. Through these, the viewer gains insight into the myths used to define and limit the American man. (1989, 29 min.) Available from the Bureau of Audio Visual Instruction, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Madison, WI 53701-2093.

Still Killing Us Softly: Advertising’s Image of Women. Dr. Jean Kilbourne uses dozens of examples of ads from magazines and billboards to examine the images of women in advertising, and to examine the consequences of these images on women and men. Dr. Kilbourne explores the relationship of media images to various problems in society, such as violence and discrimination against women, eating disorders, etc. She illustrates how people’s perceptions of what is considered attractive and valued in society is influenced in profound ways by the countless images to which women and men, and girls and boys, are exposed every day. This video of Dr. Kilbourne’s lectures is an excellent way to get students thinking about these issues and to produce a thoughtful discussion. Available from Cambridge Documentary Films, P.O. Box 385, Cambridge, MA 02139 (617-354-3677).

The Ugly Truth. This ABC News 20/20 story focuses on “lookism,” demonstrating how widespread is the discrimination faced by people as a function of their looks. From the opening images of two women -- one average looking, one very attractive -- seeking roadside assistance for their car, we see how differently people are treated based on their physical appearance. This story illustrates how lookism affects people’s ability to get jobs, the pay they receive for their jobs, how much your students may like you, etc. (1991, 19 min.) Available from corVision Media (800-537-3130).

Mere Exposure Effect. At a site run by the psychology department at Carleton University in Ontario Canada, students can take part in a demonstration of the mere exposure effect. Visit this site at: http: //www.carleton.ca/%7Ewarrent/210/documents/30.html

Perception Laboratory. At this site, run by the school of psychology at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, there are articles on research and online experiments on the topic of facial perception. There are also some links to other facial perception sites. Visit this site at: http://monty.st-and.ac.uk

Social Power Game. This computer program features an instructional game designed to teach undergraduate students the nature and process of power relationships. Instructional booklet included. On-line help available. (Dos.) McGraw-Hill College Division, 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.