Neurosis In Precious Movie

Name: Kendall September

Student Number: 718333

Course Code: PSYC2020

Title: Development and Personality Essay

The following essay will analyse the manner in which the protagonist, Clarice Precious Jones, in the movie ‘Precious’ based on the novel Push by Sapphire, personality develops in the harsh impoverished environment she is raised in, in relation to Karen Horney’s theory of neurosis, and whether or not Clarice’s degree of neurosis changes for the better or worse or at all over the course of the movie.

The movie was released in 2009 and directed by Lee Daniels, and follows the trials and tribulations of Clarice, as she tries to survive in the impoverished neighbourhood she is living in, her second pregnancy due the raping at the hands of her father, her jealous and abusive mother who humiliates her every day, all while trying to get an education. (Daniels et al, 2009)

When discussing neurosis it is important not to refer to the general theory of neurosis developed by Freud but the theory of neurosis developed by Horney. Horney defines neurosis in her theory as psychological illness caused by alienation from the real self, the core personality of the person within which as the potential to grow exponentially as a person and reach self-actualization( full growth of potential) if grown in the proper conditions i.e., inner security, family warmth, etc. (Faidman et al, 1994). Factors that inhibit or distort this process is what leads to the formation of neurosis and the personality disorders that follow.

Precious neurosis develops from an early age. Her childhood development being dramatically affected by her father sexually abusing her from an early age, and the jealousy/hatred her mother begins to grow for h...

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...cious’s degree of neurosis has changed for the better at the end of the film, as she has now broken the dependence she once had with her mother, no longer imagines an idealised self and is in a better nurturing environment than the one one she was in in the beginning of the film

Reference List:

Daniles, L. Magness, G. , Siegel-Magness, S., Winfrey, O., Heller, T. & Perry, T. ( Producers), & Daniels, L. (Director).(2009), Precoius [ Motion Picture ], United States: Transmission

Chapter 4: Karen Horney and Humanistic Psychoanalysis in Faidman, J. & Frage, R. (1994). Personality and Personal Growth. New York: Harper Collins. ( pp 130-150)

Shultz D &Schultz S. (2008). Karen Horney: Neurotic Needs and Trends. In D. Shultz & S. Shultz (Eds.) Theories of Personality (pp 158-180) Downloaded from http://cengagesites.com/academic/assets/sites/schultz_cho4.pdf