The dual science-cinema model of personality psychology and psychopathology

Abstract While psychiatry and clinical psychology typically employ standardised instruments to assess personality traits and mental diseases, medical humanities encompass a broader spectrum that also includes philosophical, anthropological and cultural perspectives. The article examines the epistemological values of medical sciences and cinematic arts, proposing a dual model for a holistic understanding of the individual. By comparing scientific and cinematic approaches, three critical dichotomies are identified: (i) pathology and personality clusters vs. diversity, (ii) generalisation vs. precision, and (iii) categorisation vs. in-depth exploration. Regarding the epistemological potential of film, the following are investigated: (a) intrinsically holistic interpretation, (b) complex interdependencies between individuals and living-spaces, (c) gradations and dynamics of mental features, (d) uniqueness and authenticity of the self, and (e) the mystery behind existential actualisation. Finally, complementary approaches based on human and artificial intelligence are proposed to assess personalities and mental health conditions.