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). 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).
Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2013). Theories of personality (10th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage/Wadsworth.
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.
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...
Marilyn Monroe was liked by many, society liked her for the sheer fact that she never portrayed herself as famous, but as a human. She was the epiphany of Hollywoods misguided. She created this noble character that people admired, they also admired her f...
Cervone, D., Pervin, L. A. (2008). Personality: Theory and research (10th Ed.). New York: Wiley.
The image has a huge effect in society. A celebrity’s image can characterize, shape and circulate societal myths in Hollywood. Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, and model. People think her figure and beauty make her become a popular icon and sex symbol in the 1950s. When people talk about the name of Marilyn Monroe, a blonde beautiful sexy female's image will appear in people's minds. What has the beauty standard shown us through Marilyn Monroe in the mid-20th century? Besides the beauty what other things did she need in order for her to be famous at that time? Marilyn Monroe's status as a sex symbol has influenced many artists since her time, even though the beauty standard has been different since then. If we look at the celebrities today, we can find many imitators of Marilyn Monroe: Madonna, Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, and even Lady Gaga. They do this not only because of marketing and media needs, but also because people today still “worship” the image Monroe created. A half-century has passed since Marilyn Monroe's death, so why is she still relevant today? As time has passed, Marilyn Monroe's image is becoming even more meaningful and valuable. Think about the image she has created, the main point I want to study is: how does a woman who passed away at thirty-six years old, after starring in only a handful of movies, has such on the impact on women, especially young women, in the 21st century? To find the answer of how she has an impact on young women today will also show how some of the young celebrities today became successful.
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,
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. (2009). Theories of Personality, Ninth Edition. US: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Magnavita, J. J. (2002). Theories of personality: Contemporary approaches to the science of personality. New York: Wiley.
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
Hergehhahn, B. R. and Olson, M. H. (1999). An Introduction to Theories of Personality. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Friedman, H. S., & Schustack, M. W. (2012). Personality: Classic theories and modern research (5th ed). Boston , MA, USA: Pearson