Cognitive Dissonance: The Psycholinguistic Insights on Dementia in Florian Zeller's The Father (2020)

Abstract

This paper aims to examine the effects of cognitive impairment on memory, thinking, and communication in individuals experiencing memory loss, especially in those affected by dementia. The Father (2020) illustrates the difficulties associated with memory loss, language impairment and the ability to participate in emotional communication. The affected cognitive aspects are also addressed, particularly through the challenging relationship between Anthony and Anne, which emphasizes the father-daughter dynamic. In addition, Anthony faces challenges in recognizing his own identity, and the audience gains a deeper insight into the emotional struggles his daughter is going through while supporting her in her fight against dementia. Dementia is a complex issue that impacts the human mind and social interactions. The focus on its medical aspects often overshadows other important elements of this issue.

Keywords: dementia, psycholinguistics, memory loss, communication breakdown, The Father

I. INTRODUCTION

Psycholinguistics is concerned with how language and the mind interact in some of the most complex ways possible. It examines how people come to learn, understand, create and use language in different circumstances. Psycholinguistics is the combination of linguistics and psychology. To understand what takes place in our minds as we process language (Field, 2003, p. 4). The topic includes important topics, such as how kids learn their first language and the thinking processes and surroundings that affect this growth. Furthermore, psycholinguistics explores how people understand language, concentrating on the mental processes that help us make sense of both spoken and written words (Harley, 2008, p. 102). However, it looks at how people create language, examining the ways they express and organize their ideas into clear speech or writing. Creating language requires a complex mix of thinking and physical actions to turn ideas into either spoken or written words (Treiman, 2015, p. 78). Thus, psycholinguistics looks at how our minds work when it comes to using language to communicate well. Besides that, dementia is one aspect that can be examined in the field of psycholinguistics.

Dementia is a general term that describes a significant decline in cognitive abilities that can disrupt everyday activities. Moreover, dementia is the different conditions with azheimer's disease because these are being the most prevalent type. Therefore, dementia is a progressive disease, which affects cognitive functioning and is most evidently manifested in such domains as memory, language, and executive working (Salthouse, 2010, p. 15). In dementia, memory has the main characteristic whereby the person is unable to remember events that has happened or things that they once knew best (Smith, 2013, p. 56). Language disturbance is one of the many factors which's many people with dementia have problems with speaking, following conversation, or comprehending language (Ellis & Young, 2010, p. 210). It also manifest themselves in term of impaired ability to reason, solve problems and make right decisions, this affect how individuals' relate with one another (Warren, 2015, p. 122). Dementia progresses impair significant alteration of interpersonal interactions, erasing the self, and relationships. There are have several analysis studies on dementia.

This paper of Florian Zeller's The Father (2020) looks into how cognitive decline significantly affects how people use language and communicate with each other. As dementia advances, people face major difficulties in understanding and producing language, which relates to the study of how mental processes help with language skills (Harley, 2008, p. 109). For example, when it comes to memory loss in dementia patients such as Anthony, it clearly impacts their ability to find words or remember conversations. This shows how cognitive issues can interfere with communication (Salthouse, 2010, p. 34). Also, the movie highlights times when Anthony doesn't quite get what people are saying or gets their intentions all mixed up. These examples show how psycholinguistic theories affect understanding in real life (Ellis & Young, 2010, p. 213).

Additionally, The Father highlights the emotional effects that come from these thinking and communication difficulties. The emotional impact of losing the ability to communicate is significant for people with dementia and those who care for them, as it interrupts their ability to connect meaningfully (Warren, 2015, p. 124). The feelings of frustration that both Anthony and his daughter go through show their personal battle with dementia, while also bringing attention to larger ideas about connection and disconnection that come from issues with communication (Smith, 2013, p. 59). To sum it up, psycholinguistics helps us understand how our thinking affects the way people use language, and dementia shows us just how deeply cognitive decline can impact these processes. Florian Zeller's The Father is a compelling story that captures these themes, providing a glimpse into the experiences of people dealing with dementia and highlighting how important language is for keeping human connections alive. This analysis explores how The Father portrays the cognitive, emotional, and linguistic aspects of dementia and how these themes connect with psycholinguistic principles.

II.  RELATED STUDIES

In the first study provides a linguistic analysis of dementia "Maxim Violation in A Dementia Sufferer: A Case Study of the Main Character in The Father Movie" by Marharani Kresnanti & Nina Setyaningsih (2024), this study focusing on Anthony, the protagonist in The Father. Using Grice's cooperative principles, the research examines how Anthony violates conversational maxims, such as relevance, quantity, quality, and manner. For instance, Anthony frequently responds irrelevantly or with incomplete information due to his fragmented memory, which disrupts communication. The study highlights that while Anthony retains linguistic knowledge, his pragmatic ability to use language effectively in conversation is impaired. The authors claimed that these violations occur due to the presence of the disease in Anthony, specifically, dementia that affects the possessive, but not the linguistic, knowledge, as well as pragmatic ability (Setyaningsih, 2024, p. 286). This disturbance results in confusion and fustration for Anthony's caregivers and denotes the major issues of people with dementia experiencing difficulties for social relationship. By grounding the analysis in Grice's maxims, the study offers a detailed exploration of how dementia affects communication on a pragmatic level. The research not only fosters empathy for individuals with dementia but also highlights the need for caregivers to adapt their communication strategies.

In the second study titled "Challenging representations of dementia in contemporary Western fiction film" by Capstick et al. (2015) which attempts to find out that stereotype is evident especially in the Western fiction film of portraying the dwindling character of dementia, dependency and helplessness. According to Capstick et al. (2015), "Representations of people with dementia in film tend to draw heavily on familiar tropes such as global memory loss, violence and aggression, extreme dependency on heroic carers, catastrophic prognosis, and early death" (p. 8). As for the former, the authors claim that these representations contribute to the biomedical approach to dementia, and the actions and words of patients with dementia are reconstructed as mere symptoms of the disease. The study uses Miranda Fricker's epistemology of epistemic injustice where categorised subjects are confined to the role of 'knower'. The authors mentioned that about dementia Capstick et al., (2015) has said, " In film, representations of dementia as the loss of human status or living death feed all too easily into public debates about the 'burden of care' and social costs." The paper makes a call for more active subjects involved in creating representations of the disease and shares people with dementia, reducing the objectification of individuals with the condition.

In the third study entitled "Interaction-Focused Life Story Work in Semantic Dementia: "A Mixed Methods Study" by Jacqueline and Kindell (2015) aims at demonstrating the effectiveness of using tailored communication interventions for semantic dementia and family carers. It incorporates conversation analysis, narrative interviews, and biographical life story work, employing an a priori multiple case study Longitudinal design and embedded analysis in identifying everyday challenges in communication. The findings reveal significant variability in conversational difficulties based on disease progression and individual adaptation strategies. Life story work fostered emotional, practical, and interactional connections, while interaction-focused therapy improved conversational engagement in certain cases. The study proposes an exploratory model for "Interaction-Focused Life Story Work" as a framework for enhancing communication in semantic dementia. It emphasises the exclusive pushes for innovative and individualistic solutions that extend beyond received wisdoms in biomedicine, and applying to clinical insignificance and dementia care political measures. However, limitations like small sample and an ethical issue in collecting data to mean that in future, more studies should be conducted to confirm the findings and in diverse settings.

Based on several studies that have been analyzed, the author explored the topic of dementia in a movie by Florian Zeller's The Father (2020). In this film provides a touching look at dementia from the perspective of its main character, Anthony, played by Anthony Hopkins. The way the story is put together in the film is really creative. The film takes viewers deep into Anthony's confusing journey as he struggles with his fading memory and changing sense of reality. The disjointed storytelling shows how people with dementia experience their reality, mixing up what happened before and what's happening now (Zeller, 2020, p. 4). The Father explores themes of subjective reality, showcasing Anthony's confusion as he tries to tell apart the past from the present. This highlights the impact of dementia on a person's understanding of reality (Kaur, 2021, p. 98). Another important theme is the breakdown in communication. As Anthony's situation gets worse, his interactions are filled with more and more confusion and irritation. This shows the language difficulties that come with dementia (Thorne, 2019, p. 134). Finally, the film strongly expresses the emotional effects of the disease, highlighting the feelings of loss, helplessness, and isolation faced by both Anthony and his daughter (Zeller, 2020, p. 6).

Therefore, these studies highlight the challenges faced by individuals with dementia, highlighting the impact of dementia on communication, societal perceptions, and care practices. The Father highlights the disruption of social relationships and the need for tailored interventions. Western cinematic portrayals of dementia often perpetuate stereotypes and reinforce a biomedical model, but Florian Zeller's film offers a counter-narrative that fosters empathy and understanding. These perspectives call for a multifaceted approach to dementia care and representation, emphasizing the need for empathetic and adaptive strategies. The integration of linguistic insights, clinical innovations, and nuanced media portrayals provides valuable lessons for academic research, practical dementia care, and broader societal attitudes. By addressing individual and systemic challenges, these studies contribute to a more inclusive and supportive environment for those living with dementia and their people around.

III.  METHODOLOGY

The study approach used is qualitative and it combines psycholinguistics with narrative and cinematic discourse analysis to understand representation of dementia , and the impact of this condition on language in Florian Zeller's The Father (2020). This research seeks to understand what Anthony has to deal with as a result of developing the disease of dementia. The film presents an inconsistent storyline, varying settings, and shifts in character identities that effectively illustrate Anthony's cognitive disorientation, highlighting how memory loss and language barriers impact his relationships. The study employs psycholinguistic analysis to pinpoint language challenges that hinder Anthony's ability to communicate. The challenges faced are linked to broader cognitive functions, including the loss of semantic memory and difficulties in comprehension, which are commonly observed in individuals with dementia.

The study also explores how the film's use of visual and auditory elements illustrates the main character's cognitive difficulties, offering a vivid representation of the effects of dementia on perception and social interaction. In this study, referencing psycholinguistic approach by John Field (2003), this treatise investigates the theoretical constraint of Anthony's linguistic and cognitive equipments focusing on how dementia hampers not only linguistic interaction but also relational affection. The study proves that The Father is an effective narrative on how dementia affects major domains of the human psychic world including language and relationships as well as the self, and shows how artistic portrayal of dementia is relevant about psychological frameworks.

IV.  RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

In this section, the author will discuss and present the data that described in dementia present in the movie The Father (2020).

Cognitive Decline and Memory Loss

Data 1

Anthony: "Where's my watch? It's gone again!"

Anne: "Dad, you put it in your drawer earlier. Remember? I showed you."

Anthony: "No, no, you didn't. Someone stole it. Someone's always stealing my things!"

Anne: "Nobody is stealing from you, Dad. Please try to remember."

(Zeller, 2020, 0:07:00)

In this scene explores the effects of dementia on Anthony's mental faculties, particularly his short-term memory. Thus, he has difficulties in recent memory and face recognition, he cannot understand the difference between a belt and a shaving attachment, which is a good reflection of the dementia and memory loss. Due to this paranoia as he thinks someone is stealing his items, his confusion and disorientation increases and he becomes frustrated and developed mistrust.

Communication Breakdown

Data 2

Anthony: "Who are you again?"

Anne: "It's me, Dad. Anne. Your daughter."

Anthony: "Anne? But Anne has dark hair. Yours is blonde. What's going on here?"

Anne: "I dyed it, Dad. Remember? I told you."

Anthony: "No, you didn't tell me anything. Why is everyone lying to me?"

(Zeller, 2020, 0:33:00)

In this scene, Anthony explores the complexities of dementia, leading to moments of confusion and disjointed conversations. His memory loss makes it tough to keep up with stories and remember key details, resulting in scattered conversations. His confusion about Anne's hair color shows a disconnect in communication, as he struggles to grasp and recognize the familiar changes happening around him. This breaks the connection between language and experience, causing misunderstandings and frustration for both Anthony and Anne, which leads to a loop of confusion and distress.

Emotional Impact and Relationship Strain

Data 3

Anthony: "You want to put me in a home, don't you? I can feel it. You've always wanted me gone."

Anne: "No, Dad, that's not true. I'm trying to help you."

Anthony: "Help me? By abandoning me? You think I don't know what's happening?"

(Zeller, 2020, 01:35:00)

In this scene delves into how dementia affects the emotional connections between Anthony and his daughter Anne. Anthony's uncertainty and anxiety create some tension, as he expresses feelings of being left behind and suggests that Anne might not be honest with him. This worry comes from feeling like you're losing grip on things and who you are, leading to some mistrust and confusion. Anne's efforts to comfort him usually lead to frustration or dismissal, showing the emotional toll on those who care for him. The bond between Anthony and Anne turns into a tough reminder of how connection fades as dementia takes away their shared understanding, leaving them both feeling exposed and vulnerable. The scene captures the challenges faced by family members as they juggle caregiving responsibilities while dealing with the emotional weight of caring for someone who doesn't fully recognize them anymore.

Disappearance of Identity

Data 4

Anthony: "Who's this? He looks familiar."

Anne: "That's you, Dad. When you were younger."

Anthony: "Me? No, that's not me. That's someone else. I don't know who."

Anne: "It's you, Dad. I promise."

(Zeller, 2020, 01:17:33)

In this scene shows how identity fades as Anthony grapples with confusion and a lack of self-awareness. He finds it hard to see himself in mirrors or photos, which points to dementia. His struggle to remember simple personal details, like his name or family ties, highlights the breakdown of his sense of self. Additionally, patients can suffer from the delusion of losing personal identity and becoming a stranger in their own home, all of which is described by the term dementia. Anthony forgets his reflection in a picture which is a typical scenario of how dementia can truly blur the boundaries of personal identity. His speechlessness and inability to explain what he saw when he was shown that he used to be a painter shows how the disease removes consciousness and individuality. This deep feeling of puzzlement poses quite a number of important existential issues of who we are and what the world is.

Human Experience of Dementia

Data 5

Anthony: "I feel like I'm losing everything... even myself. It's like I'm disappearing, piece by piece."

Anne: "You're still here, Dad. I'm here with you."

Anthony: "But for how long? I don't even know what's real anymore."

Anne: "Whatever happens, I'll be here. You're not alone."

Anthony: "I feel like I'm losing everything... even myself," encapsulates the existential crisis often experienced by those living with dementia.

(Zeller, 2020, 01:29:46)

The effects of dementia are shown In this scenario, with a particular emphasis on the emotions of isolation and anxiety that persons experience, as well as the profound concerns that they have about their lives. Anthony, a patient who suffers from dementia, regularly has a great sense of loss and has the consistent perception that he is deteriorating. As his mind continues to disintegrate, he feels disconnected from his surroundings, the people he cares about, and the very nature of his existence. There is a sense of calm evoked by Anne's consistent presence. Nonetheless, the emotional strain Anthony and Anne experience underscores the loneliness and misery associated with dementia. From the progression of the disease, The Father shows how challenging it is indeed to fix relationship, honor, and identity. But dementia weakens Anthony's confidence, and Anne makes him feel better, which shows how valuable interlocutors are for comfort.

V.  CONCLUSION

Focusing on its effects on memory, communication, and identity, The Father (2020) offers a rather realistic and emotive depiction of dementia. Through Anthony Hopkins's character, the movie offers insightful analysis of the cognitive loss defining dementia. With Anthony's frequent queries, uncertainty about past and present, and incapacity to identify individuals closest to him, memory loss comes out as a major symptom highlighting the challenges dementia patients have in preserving and processing information. His language breakdown, characterized by disjointed speech and trouble following conversations, mirrors the cognitive deficits in both language comprehension and production seen in dementia sufferers. Moreover, the emotional toll of dementia is shown in the tense connection Anthony has with his daughter Anne. This indicates Anne was stressed and Anne is becoming noticeably down with the load of caring plus increasing reliance further confirms the fall of autonomy and the fall of self identity. These emotional aspects spread over the times when both Anthony and Anne suffer from exceedingly remote relationship with exceedingly extreme grief. The Father then asks the reader to imagine the miraculous human experience of dementia, not just physical but emotional and relational breakdown as a result of cognitive loss. The video calls to awareness in Anthony's trip propels the necessary empathy, connection and understanding to help those with dementia and remind us of the human side that is often forgotten with the discussions around the illness.

REFERENCES

Capstick, A., Chatwin, J., & La Fontaine, J. (2015). Challenging representations of dementia in contemporary Western fiction film. Journal of Aging Studies, 34(1), 74--84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2015.01.001

Ellis, A. W., & Young, A. W. (2010). Human cognitive neuropsychology: A textbook with readings. Psychology Press.

Field, J. (2003). Psycholinguistics: A resource book for students. Routledge.

Harley, T. A. (2008). The psychology of language: From data to theory (3rd ed.). Psychology Press.

Jacqueline, K., & Kindell, J. (2015). Interaction-focused life story work in semantic dementia: A mixed methods study. Dementia, 14(3), 1--17. https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301214551364

Kaur, J. (2021). Exploring subjective reality in The Father: A cognitive and emotional perspective. Film and Psychology Review, 2(3), 95--105.

Marharani, K., & Setyaningsih, N. (2024). Maxim violation in a dementia sufferer: A case study of the main character in The Father movie. Linguistic Studies Journal, 12(4), 283--291.

Salthouse, T. A. (2010). Major issues in cognitive aging. Oxford University Press.

Smith, G. E. (2013). Memory loss and the aging brain: A guide to diagnosis and treatment. Cambridge University Press.

Thorne, M. (2019). Linguistic breakdown in dementia communication: A theoretical framework. Journal of Applied Psycholinguistics, 4(2), 129--142.

Treiman, R. (2015). Language development and learning to read: The scientific study of how language acquisition affects reading skill. Psychology Press.

Warren, J. D. (2015). Cognitive and emotional dimensions of communication in dementia. The Lancet Neurology, 14(2), 121--130. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(14)70295-9

Zeller, F. (Director). (2020). The Father [Film]. Sony Pictures Classics.