Mental State Of A Social Environment - 1254 Words

The Child that Lives from Within The social sciences often question if psychopathic behaviour is innate or a product of a social environment. In the movie Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock, Norman Bates’ downfall proposes how crucial a healthy childhood is to the mental state of a developing child. 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 25). Theories proposed by Sigmund Freud and other research comparing the relation between psychopathy and environment can help to rationalize the reasons behind Norman Bates’ unsuccessful childhood, the impact of his parent-child relationship on his self-perception,†¦show more content†¦Beginning as a child, Norman kills his mother and her partner out of jealousy. In light of Freudian theory, the Oedipus complex, Norman emulates the â€Å"mythological king Oedipus†¦a young boy who is sexually attracted to h is mother, and as a result desires to kill his father in order to possess the mother† (â€Å"Hitchcock Psychoanalysis†, pars. 10). Norman’s deep infatuation makes him unable to discern where to put his sexual feelings towards her. Freud suggests that normal children are able to relocate their intimate emotions onto different people and things (Ponce, pars. 4). Although, Norman experiences â€Å"hysterical amnesia which is the repression of infantile sexuality† (Ponce, pars. 4). In this case, biological determinism, an explanation that psychotic behaviour is an innate deficit, does not relate to Norman after it is clear that his repressed childhood memories reflect his adult behaviour. Additionally, the way his behaviour changes once he takes on the role of his mother shows the challenges of their past bond. Norman plays his mother up to be cruel and capable of murder. Peter Murris’ findings propose that Norman’s negative representation of h is mother and behaviour are symptoms â€Å"related to low levels of parental care† (5). Familial factors explain why children struggle with psychological problems, demonstrated in the context Norman emulates his mother. As a result, Norman’s life from infancy to adulthood is filled with