Psychological Perspectives of Marilyn Monroe

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How did the loss of her dog tippy affect her development?
As a young child, Marilyn had trouble making friends her age. The only friend she had was her dog Tippy. Everyday Tippy would eagerly await her arrival. One day when, Tippy is killed from an accident, Marilyn was startled by his death. This traumatic event affected her so much that she was inconsolable for weeks. This could have lead to Maslow’s safety need for protection. Individuals motivated by this need, include physical security, stability, dependency, protection and freedom from threatening forces (Feist & Feist, 2009). Young Marilyn believed Tippy was murdered by the neighbors, and now they are after her too. Her guardian at the time, found this to be disturbing (Taraborrelli, 2010). This explains why she was always seeking protection and needed to depend on others. This was the beginning of her anxiety. This explains why she was always seeking dependency from others.
Why did Marilyn Monroe have many failing love relationships?
Maslow’s Psychoanalytical perspective can be used to give an understanding of this part of Marilyn Monroe’s life. Maslow’s theory was developed and based on hierarchy of needs. Maslow wanted to know and understand what motivated people. His belief was that individuals are motivated to achieve certain needs (Feist & Feist, 2009). According to Maslow, Marilyn Monroe had some loving, belongingness needs and safety needs. Maslow believed that when people had their needs for love and belongingness in early years, they do not panic or feel devastated when they are rejected or denied of love. Whereas people who experienced love and belongingness in small doses, have stronger needs for affection and acceptance (Feist & Feist, 2009). This can be app...

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...ed was to be loved. She never received the affection she needed, and she wanted to achieve that from stardom. No one really knows why Marilyn took all those sleeping pills on August 5th 1962. Marilyn Monroe had a personality captivating and intriguing as her beauty. There was more beyond her platinum blonde hair, and blue eyes. Behind all the beauty, was Norma Jeane, the girl that no one knew. Marilyn Monroe was an illusion, and no one tried to see the person she was beneath this illusion.

Works Cited

Kashner, S. (2005, November 15). Marilyn and Her Monsters. Vanity Fair. Retrieved April 28, 2014, from http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/features/2010/11/marilyn-monroe-201011

Stolley, R. B. (1998). Glittering Goddess. The American dream: the 50s (). Alexandria, Va.: Time-Life Books.

Taraborrelli, R. (2010). The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe. New York, NY.

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