Project Base: This Assignment On A Movie Of Your Choice

Project Base This Assignment On A Movie Of Your Choice Briefly Outli

Briefly outline the plot of a movie of your choice. Relate the main characters' conflicts to Erikson’s and Freud’s developmental stages. Explain why you believe these conflicts relate to the specified stages and how they illustrate the theories. You may also incorporate other psychological theories to support your analysis. The response should be about one page in length.

Paper For Above instruction

Analysis of Psychological Development in the Film "The Pursuit of Happyness"

The film "The Pursuit of Happyness," directed by Gabriele Muccino and starring Will Smith, narrates the inspiring story of Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who faces numerous hardships including homelessness, financial instability, and relationship challenges while striving to provide a better life for his son. The plot chronicles Gardner's resilience as he navigates these adversities, ultimately securing a position as a stockbroker through unwavering determination and perseverance.

The central conflict in the film revolves around Gardner's struggle to maintain stability and trust amidst relentless adversity. This crisis can be examined through Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development theory, specifically the stages of Trust versus Mistrust and Generativity versus Stagnation, as well as Freud’s psychosexual stages, particularly the anal and phallic stages. By analyzing Gardner’s experience through these theoretical lenses, we gain insights into his psychological resilience and development.

Erikson’s Stages and Their Relation to the Main Character

Initially, Gardner’s circumstances reflect a breakdown in the development of Trust versus Mistrust, a stage that occurs from birth to around one year old. A lack of consistent caregiving and stability in early childhood could lead to mistrust, which manifests later as difficulty trusting others or forming secure attachments. Gardner’s present struggle to trust societal systems and even individuals could be rooted in unresolved issues from this stage. Despite his hardships, Gardner exhibits a persistent belief that his efforts will eventually lead to stability, suggesting a resilient move towards developing Trust, albeit tested.

Moving into adulthood, Gardner encounters conflicts related to Generativity versus Stagnation, which occurs from around 40 to 65 years. This stage involves the desire to contribute meaningfully to society and guide the next generation. Gardner’s intense focus on providing for his son and striving for career success exemplifies the stage of Generativity. His perseverance and nurturing attitude demonstrate a successful engagement with this stage, although ongoing hardships threaten to cause feelings of stagnation or despair.

Freud’s Psychosexual Stages in the Context of Gardner’s Life

Freud's anal stage, which occurs from around 18 months to 3 years, emphasizes issues of control and independence. Gardner’s experiences of hardship and resourcefulness can be linked to this stage, where the development of self-control begins. Challenges during this stage, especially if thwarted, might lead to difficulties with authority or organization later in life. Gardner’s ability to adapt and maintain control over his circumstances suggests successful progression beyond this stage.

The phallic stage (3-6 years), involving the development of identity and social roles, also appears relevant. Gardner’s motivation to succeed and his protective attitude towards his son reflect efforts to establish a strong ego and identity, overcoming possible conflicts related to authority figures and societal expectations. His resilience and determination suggest a resolution of conflicts that may have arisen during this developmental phase.

Why These Theories Are Applicable

This interpretation aligns with Erikson’s emphasis on psychosocial conflicts affecting personality development and Freud’s focus on early psychosexual stages shaping adult behavior. Gardner’s perseverance in the face of hardship underscores the importance of trust, hope, and generativity in overcoming life's obstacles. His experiences demonstrate that unresolved conflicts in early life can manifest as difficulties in trust and identity, but resilience and support can foster growth beyond these issues.

In conclusion, analyzing "The Pursuit of Happyness" through Erikson’s and Freud’s frameworks offers a comprehensive understanding of the character’s psychological development. Gardner’s journey embodies the triumph of hope and perseverance over early and ongoing conflicts, illustrating how developmental stages influence adult behavior and mental resilience.

References

• Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth and crisis. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Freud, S. (1905). Three essays on the theory of sexuality. Standard Edition.
• Crain, W. C. (2011). Theories of Development: Concepts and Applications. Pearson.
• McLeod, S. (2018). Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. Simply Psychology.
• Hockenbury, D. H., & Hockenbury, S. E. (2014). Discovering Psychology. Worth Publishers.
• Mahmoud, R. (2020). Analysis of resilience and human development. Journal of Psychological Studies, 15(2), 45-60.
• Herman, J. (1992). Trauma and Recovery. Basic Books.
• Gilligan, C. (1982). In a Different Voice. Harvard University Press.
• Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in Society. Harvard University Press.
• Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191-215.