Personality Analysis of Marilyn Monroe By Using Trait Theories
Marilyn Monroe, whose real name is Norma Jeane Mortenson, was born on June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles, California. She was American actress, singer and model. She also was one of the most famous movie star, the sex symbols and pop icons of the 20th century. Despite her an unhappy, difficult childhood she got succeed during her short life period. She worked minor roles for years. Then, she showed her comedy ability, appearance on television and attraction with films. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How to Marry a Millionaire, Some Like It Hot and The Seven Year Itch are some examples of these films. Her success and these films provided her to be the most popular film actress in 1950s and 60s. “During her career, Monroe's films grossed more than $200 million. Monroe died of a drug overdose on August 5, 1962, at only 36 years old”. In this paper, personality of Marilyn Monroe, especially her dominant trait neuroticism will be examined by using the trait theory. The five-factor theory and Eysencks’ three dimensions of personality will be used for this examination.
The reason for my choice of Marilyn Monroe is that she is known as a successful actress, an icon and somewhat of a legend. She was talented, resplendent and motivated woman. Otherwise, she has a complex personality. She wanted to have a good family because she was lonely and did not know how it was to belong to a real family. Unfortunately, she could not find the true love and have a good family. She also has some psychological problems because of her problematic history. I believe, her personality traits with her problems have significant effects on her personal life and also on her success (sometimes failure). Thes...
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...eneration from time to time; may be because of her impressive and short life story.
“I'm selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I'm out of control, and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.”
Marilyn Monroe
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Marilyn Monroe. (2014). The Biography.com website. Retrieved 1:05 p.m., May 26, 2014, from http://www.biography.com/people/marilyn-monroe-9412123.
Marilyn Monroe. (2014). Goodreads.com website. Retrieved 10:15 p.m., May 25, 2014, from https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/femininity.
According to many movie critics and fans, Marilyn Monroe was one of the most talented and well-known entertainers and fashion icons of the twentieth century based on her success as an actress, singer, model, and her remarkable personality. Marilyn Monroe once said, “Fame will go by, and, so long, I’ve had you, fame. If it goes by, I’ve always known it was fickle. So at least it’s something I experience, but that’s not where I live” (Marilyn Monroe 26).
Marilyn Monroe (Monroe) was an image of fashion and beauty in the 20th century. Overcoming a traumatic childhood to become one of the most confident women. Making bold provocative, but, fashionable statements about how women should be confident about their own body image. Without the help of others, she would not have become the person she is known as today. Marilyn Monroe, a famous actress, who has influenced the rest of the world.
Marilyn Monroe, Norma Jeane Mortenson. A devious soul but a pure heart, a black past, but a bright future; she became one of the most idolized figures in society. Norma was definitely not born with a silver spoon in her mouth, and she never sugar coated her life to the media. She was straight forward which made her heavily known for her quotes such as “I learned to walk as a baby and I haven’t had a lesson since.” (Marilyn Monroe). This was the beginning to her life story as a hero. This may not seem inspiring or heroic to many by the lack of knowledge a person may have on Norma. In the depths of her quotes lay a deep, heartfelt life though. For this quote may seem sensational and comical to the ear, but Marilyn was transferred to many foster homes not really having a parent that would show her the way. What a good role model would do though, and what Norma courageously has shown society, is that when life knocks you down, get up and hit life back twice as hard. Norma Jeane Mortenson, married Jim Dougherty, and started working. Soon she created the character Marilyn Monroe, she dyed her hair blonde, wore short dresses, and she became the momentous and inspirational character that everyone saw through television, newspapers, and photos. She was one of the greatest actors, singers, and models of the nineteen forties and fifties. But like every hero they suffer and create their own demise. Jeane, Marilyn Monroe, is a shakespearean tragic hero, because like every hero she must fall.
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Think about the obstacles of a woman to become successful in the 1950s. I want to find an answer whether it was the media, which created Monroe’s sexy image or Monroe, whom herself used her sexy image to become famous. I am going to study the background of the time period, and learn if the current events such as the Civil Rights Movement and the Cold War, had any impact on Monroe's life, or whether Monroe herself had any influences politics in mid-20th century. I will also explore on how Monroe’s image influenced and redefined the feminism in the 21st century. I believe Marilyn Monroe was a clever, confident, and independent woman who was very brave and smart. Her spirit is what the girls in the new century needed. I also would like to study why Marilyn Monroe is still relevant and even famous in the 21st century to show the power of female charisma.
With this approach, scoring her on the five dimensions of the Trait Perspective could capture Marilyn’s personality. In assessing Marilyn’s traits, it would be easy to grade her on the different dimensions of personality. In applying “The Big Five Model”, Marilyn would score low in conscientiousness and agreeableness and highest in the traits of extroversion, openness, and neuroticism (Friedman & Schustack, 264). Marilyn created an outgoing persona that belied her true personality where she was able to hide her depression and insecurities that in turn enabled her substance abuse. On the surface Marilyn appeared to have it all, but in always looking to find herself Marilyn became erratic and unstable not only in relationships, but also in her work. Her instability contributed to her impulsiveness and lack of dependability allowing Marilyn’s career to quickly suffer and her life to spiral out of control ultimately leading to her
A person’s personality has been the subject of psychological scrutiny for many years. Psychologists have drawn up several theories in an attempt to accurately predict and determine one’s personality. Foremost amongst these, is the “Big Five Trait Theory” which stemmed from Raymond B. Cattell’s theory.
Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2013). Theories of personality (10th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage/Wadsworth.
Norma Jean, most famously known as Marilyn Monroe was a famous actress in Hollywood that was one of the biggest sex symbols to come by in the 1900’s. Marilyn Monroe did not start out as an actress or one of the world’s biggest sex symbols, she began her career as a model. Monroe began work in a weapons factory in Burbank, California, where she was later discovered by a photographer. She was married to her first husband Jimmy Dougherty who was a marine. Jimmy had been deployed for some time and when he returned in 1946, Monroe had a fruitful career as a model, and she also changed her name from Norma Jean Baker to Marilyn Monroe in preparation for an acting career (Cinnamon,
Schultz, D.P. & Schultz, S.E. (2009). Theories of Personality, Ninth Edition. US: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
This led to crudeness and sexual harassment in the workplace during her career. Marilyn stated in defense to her bosses comment on how she “cranked herself up for a scene” “I don’t crank anything, I’m a model T. Excuse me, but I think that’s kind of disrespectful to refer to it that way. I am trying to work at an art form, not in a manufacturing establishment” (543). Thank goodness Monroe could stand up for herself because without that with all she was already forced to deal with she would be even more depressed. One way that Monroe could have chosen an alternative route would have been to put her passion more into her work that into using men for attention this would have ultimately eliminated most of her problems. For example she would not be known for some of the things she did such as her affair with John F Kennedy. Monroe could have started her career earlier if she had put more focus on that then her next attention
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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