The Child That Lives From Within - 1681 Words

Jazmine Feijo—0884046 Professor Dr. Don Moore Reading and Writing Effectively AHSS 1210 21 November 2014 The Child that Lives from Within Introduction The social sciences often question if psychopathic behaviour is innate or a product of a social environment. Recently, nurture-based theories has gained credibility in understanding how a child’s upbringings can trigger psychopathic behaviour. In the movie Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock, Norman Bates’ downfall proposes how crucial a healthy childhood is to mental health rather than biological vulnerability. Contrary to nature-focused beliefs, not all human behaviour comes from an individual’s genetic makeup, but rather through experiences that become ingrained in the mind like scripture (Cooke†¦show more content†¦The Effect of Childhood on Adulthood Those who argue that humans are born with a preconceived mind structure fail to realize that psychological well-being also relies on healthy early relationships (Marshall and Cooke 213). In Psycho, viewers are able to see the effect of Norman’s childhood and how a healthy upbringing is important even in today’s world. In light of Freudian’s theory termed the Oedipus complex, Norman emulates the mythological king Oedipus: a young boy who is attracted to his mother and resorts to killing his parents out of jealousy (â€Å"Hitchcock Psychoanalysis†, pars. 10). Bates’ infatuation makes him unable to discern where to put his sexual feelings towards his mother. Freud suggests that most children are able to relocate their intimate emotions onto different people and things (Ponce, pars. 4). Although those who cannot experience â€Å"hysterical amnesia which is the repression of infantile sexuality† (Ponce, pars. 4). In this case, biological determin ism (an explanation that psychotic behaviour is an innate deficit) is irrelevant since it is clear that repressed feelings fuel psychotic tendencies. Although some argue that there is â€Å"evidence to support a neurobiological basis of psychopathy† (LaBrode 153), this is not always the case—especially with Norman. At the end of the film the psychiatrist explains that it was only after the death of Normans father’s that Norman began to act bizarrely. Thus, Norman represents real