Case Study: Reality Therapy and Treatment of Trauma in Antwone Fisher

This case study examines the psychological issues of Antwone Fisher, a character with a temperamental disorder stemming from childhood abuse, as portrayed in the 2002 film 'Antwone Fisher'. The analysis focuses on applying reality therapy, a psychotherapy technique developed by Doctor William Glasser, to address Antwone's violent temper and emotional challenges. The study outlines an intervention plan involving building a therapeutic relationship, identifying personal needs, and developing strategies to manage anger and foster healthier external relationships. The goal is to enable Antwone to control manageable aspects of his life, avoid blaming others, and eventually develop positive connections independently, demonstrating the potential for successful treatment and improved well-being through reality therapy.

Running head: THEORIES OF PSYCHOLOGY 1
Theories of Psychology
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THEORIES OF PSYCHOLOGY 2
Theories of Psychology
‘Antwone Fisher’ is a 2002 film in which Antwone, who is the main character has
temperamental disorder. As he serves in the army, he has violent temper that makes him always
engage in fight against other people such as fellow sailors (Washington, 2002). Antwone
developed the psychological problem after being abused physically and emotionally by his foster
parents who were taking care of him since his birth. Nadine, who is an adult daughter to the
Tates, molests and mistreats him. His mother Eva was jailed in her teenage after her husband got
killed and gave birth to him while in jail. He later tries to see a psychiatrist where he reveals
about the childhood abuse and gets treated. He looks for his biological parents by visiting the
foster family, from where he had run away at the age of 14 (Washington, 2002). He later meets
his mother and there is a reunion with his own family where together with Cheryl his girlfriend
and Davenport his doctor, they have a celebration. Antwone’s psychological problem can be
treated through a reality therapy which is one of the psychotherapy techniques for mental
problems.
Psychological problem
From the film, it is evident that Antwone has a mental or psychological problem that
makes him temperamental. This problem makes him fight people, and he is sent to jail. He is in
constant fight with fellow sailors. The abuse that he developed as a child from the foster parents
(Mr. and Mrs. Tate) affected him psychologically. Violent temper involves constant changes of
mood in a victim which provokes violent behavior such as fighting. Temperamental people have
social problems as they find it hard to live together with people (Kagan, 2018). The challenge is
the inability to identify the problem as psychological and end up fighting with victims. Victims

THEORIES OF PSYCHOLOGY 3
find it hard to control their temper or mood. These tantrums provoke violent behavior in the
victim and may involve hurting others physically (Buss, & Plomin, 2014).
Reality therapy
This is a therapeutic approach which focuses on solving the problem by trying to make
better choices towards achieving specific goals for the victim (Levac, & Galvin, 2013). The
technique was developed by Doctor William Glasser and it involves focusing on the current
situations rather than the past (Wubbolding, 2013). The main objective of this form of therapy
involves identifying the problem, rebuilding external relationships and beginning to work for a
better future (Wubbolding, 2013). Therapists work with the victim by trying to figure out what is
needed to solve the problem and how the current behavior brings them close or farther from the
objectives. This therapy involves making a trusting relationship that is developed between the
therapist and the patient, which works to make the victim feel heard, safe and respected. This
relationship gets nurtured by looking for healthier ways to provide the victim with basic needs
such as power, love and belonging, fun, survival and freedom. Together with the victim,
therapists explore the ideal solutions to the problem and try to lay out simple steps that help
implement the solution (Lohse, Hilderman, Cheung, Tatla, & Van der Loos, 2014). The process
also involves an honest evaluation of the current behaviors choices made by the victim in
determining whether change is required to have the objectives achieved. Throughout the
treatment process, therapists place emphasis on the thoughts and actions that can be controlled
by the patient rather than trying to blame or controlling difficulty challenges in life. Reality
therapy believes that when the victims are able to employ the actions, methods and behaviors
they learn from the treatment process successfully, they can be able to manage external
relationships and thus experience better lives thereafter.

THEORIES OF PSYCHOLOGY 4
Intervention plan and psychotherapy technique
 A therapist should meet Antwone and try to understand the problem that affects him so
that he may know the extent to which he can solve it.
 A connection or relationship is developed between Antwone and his or her therapist until
it is stable (Levac, & Galvin, 2013).
 Once this connection gets stable, it is modeled to form other connections from the
external environment. Antiwone will learn to strengthen other relations when they are in
this safe connection with the therapist.
 During the connection, the therapist will help Antiwone to control and change things that
can be managed and avoid those beyond his control.
 He will be helped to understand his personal desires and needs and how to meet them
(Karahan, Yalçin, & Erbas, 2014).
 He will also be taught how to avoid blaming and criticizing others for problems
 Once he is ready, the therapists then disconnects with him at the right time so that he may
develop external relationships on his own.
Conclusion
From the analysis, it is clear that Antwone is not able to control his anger and this aspect
makes him fight his coworkers. The problem can be treated using reality therapy which involves
connecting with the patient, identifying needs and desires and then putting a plan to have them
met. Things which are beyond patient’s control need to be avoided such as impulsive reactions or
responses that provoke anger. The therapist cuts his close attention on the patient after patient
has learnt how to manage his anger and can develop positive relationships with other people.

THEORIES OF PSYCHOLOGY 5
References
Buss, A. H., & Plomin, R. (2014). Temperament (PLE: Emotion): Early developing personality
traits. Psychology Press.
Kagan, J. (2018). Galen's prophecy: Temperament in human nature. International Journal of
Virtual Reality (IJVR), 3(3), 1-6.
Karahan, T. F., Yalçin, B. M., & Erbas, M. M. (2014). The Beliefs, Attitudes and Views of
University Students about Anger and the Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-
Oriented Anger Control and Anxiety Management Programs on Their Anger
Management Skill Levels. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice, 14(6), 2071-2082.
Levac, D. E., & Galvin, J. (2013). When is virtual reality “therapy”?. Archives of physical
medicine and rehabilitation, 94(4), 795-798.
Lohse, K. R., Hilderman, C. G., Cheung, K. L., Tatla, S., & Van der Loos, H. M. (2014). Virtual
reality therapy for adults post-stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis exploring
virtual environments and commercial games in therapy. PloS one, 9(3), e93318.
Washington, D. (2002). ‘Antwone Fisher’; Fox Searchlight Pictures, American Film Institute,
United States
Wubbolding, R. E. (2013). Reality therapy for the 21st century. Developmental medicine and
child neurology, 47(9), 628-635.