Mental health professionals try to determine the source of negative characteristic and the aspects of an individual leading to mental conditions. The obligation to such people is to assess, diagnose, and treat a person whose perspective of a disease has been identified (Affleck, 1997). Looking at the life of Will Hunting is clear that he is suffering from oppositional defiant disorder. The features of this condition are characterized by the recurrence of patterns of anger, rebellious behavior and vindictiveness. About Will, it seems that he has a severe problem relating to this illness; it has significantly reduced his ability to function in a way that is the socially acceptable way and is currently in multiple setting. This is so because he …show more content…
displays some symptoms of the disorder. For instance, the frequency of his behavior exceeds his demographic culture and number. He does not see himself as an angry person or even defiant and oppositional to the figures in the authority (Affleck, 1997). Hunting feels justified in his behavior because of the abuse he faced in his childhood. Diagnosis of the behavior exhibited by Will can be done using the Kohlberg’s moral and Eriksson. According to Kohlberg’s theory, it is possible to state that Will did not reach the social contract orientation stage. For example, Hunting knows very well that he will be punished for being dispectiful to the authority. However, he chose to be anti-social and disregarded the laws. The issue using Kohlberg’s theory is that hunting can only perform abstract reasoning about mathematics. According to the theory presented by Eriksson, Will did not pass some of the stages correctly; for example, he partially passed stage four and five. As such, he only developed a violent relationship with people around him. However, he can transition to a full intimate relationship if he works on his behavioral issues. Sean Maguire’s Mental Health Problem Sean, on the other hand, is suffering from past traumatic stress disorder; the condition is evident by the action shown by Him after the death of his wife. Before the wife dies he has still faced the problem owing to the events that happened in Vietnam, the problem is now compounded by the death of the beloved one. Sean does not know to deal with because he is supposed to be helping the others; he is a wounded psychologist (Koch & Dollarhide, 2000). Not to mention some of the psychological symptoms he has to experience. For example, personality disorder, he cannot hold the attention of his students and he is unhappily because he feel challenged by Will Hunting. Even though this is the case, Sean Maguire cannot let Will now it. Bronfenbrenner’s theory can be used to justify and explain the diagnosis Sean personality, just like Will Hunting, Maguire develops problem develops out of unique chemistry. The personality development was a construct of what has happened before and now in his life. He too is a person brought up in Boston a town full of violence (Koch & Dollarhide, 2000). As a result of his loss loneness and hopelessness, he feels threaten to consume as well as cause the part-tie therapist paralysis. Therapeutic Orientations Applicable for Will Hunting’ Treatment Treatment of oppositional defiant disorder involves some types of psychotherapy and training for the patient. One of the most important therapies that apply to the case of Will is the Parent-child interaction therapy, individual and family therapy, and cognitive problem-solving training. Parent-child therapy involves therapist coaching the parents while they interact with their children.One of the approaches in this categories is where the therapist may use an ear-audio devices to guide the parent on strategies invoving positive behavior of the child.
As a result, the parents realize some of the techniques that they can use to parent the children. The parent-child relationship significantly improves the problem behavior that a defiant and oppositional person shows (Cannon, 2013). Since Will has been abused by the parent leading to his current status of socialization, it would be imperative to reconstruct the relationship between him and the mother with the help of a therapist. Individual and family therapy is necessary for individuals with Will’s disorder because it aid the in the management of anger and be able to express the feeling in a way that is healthier. One of the most important techniques in individual therapy is his behavior modification technique, for example, the use of consequences depending on the needs of the person. Family counseling, on the other hand, helps individuals improve their communication and relations they have with relatives and another member of the family. Family therapy is particularly crucial as it is useful in controlling the behavior of defiant, oppositional individuals (Cannon, 2013). The case of Will appears extreme and, therefore, the parents must be willing to develop more effective parenting approaches accompanies with …show more content…
love and acceptances. They must be prepared to explore deeply any personal issues that contribute to Will’s defiant behavior. Cognitive problem-solving therapy aims at helping a person change their pattern that cause behavior problems, collaborative problem solving is the technique needed here. Therapeutic Orientations for Sean Maguire’s Treatment The treatment in response to trauma stress-disorder is the use of psychological interventions. This aims at offering education, techniques for management of stress and assisting the person to face the feared circumstances and memories that are distressing. Treatment of this disorder would require cognitive restructuring therapy that is based on the intervention of the event, rather than the event itself. It particularly involves learning from traumatic event to increase awareness of the dysfunctional trauma thoughts and replacing them with more adaptive and rational cognitions. The other intervention would be interpersonal therapy aid at alleviating the pain of the patient and improve their interpersonal relationship functionality (Cannon, 2013). This type of therapy primarily focuses of interpersonal relationship and assist the patient in either improving on those relationships or changing the expectation about them. As such, it also aims to aid in the improvement of social support so that persons can better manage their present interpersonal distress. Lastly, Sean Maguire also requires cognitive-behavioral therapy, it assist patient develop coping skills. The techniques can either be applied alone or in combination with one another. Treatment Modality most Effective for Will Hunting Amongst the above listed treatment intervention, the most would the use of individual and family therapy.
Will Hunting have shown attributes of lack of love and anti-social behaviors owing to lack of attachment relationship. His behaviral practice is not limited to violence he also shows dislike to people and does not trust many. Also, he is unable to control his basic emotions like anger and has a lot of problems developing relationships with adults and women. Will's anger is one of many defenses that mask his inner feelings and guard his inner self (Affleck, 1997). Will's subconscious is determined, no one will be able to penetrate these defenses and hurt him again. This is as a result of the abuse he went through in his childhood. As an outcome, he does not show empathy to any person. Hunting was betrayed as a child and now exhibits behaviors to protect him from people. The family relationship has a high chance of working on him because from the film the audience can see that the few relationships he has been working. For example, he accepts the friendship offers by Sean Maguire. Moreover, Success of the treatment with Sean occurs when Hunting takes the love offered by Skylar (Cannon, 2013). He develops self-confidence that masks the negative self-esteem he initially had about himself. He takes advantage of the relationship by moving out of Boston and goes to live with Skylar in California. The effect of the gap filled can further be enhanced if the parents are trained
on the best techniques of parenting and foster to show love and care to Will. However, there are some of the ethical issues that may be involved in this scenario. The relationship between Hunting and his parents is fragile one. Any mistake by a therapist the result in poor communication between them or inability to efficiently conduct counseling can lead to worsening the situation. The therapist must, therefore, be highly competent; inadequate training, skills, and experience are some of the primary things that can put the recovery process between Will and his parents. Treatment Modality most Effective for Sean Maguire For this character, the most efficient modality of treatment is the interpersonal theory. Relationships such as romantic are part of humans, and when these relationships are broke, or someone dies, the people who are left behind face grief, depression, and stress. This is the same case that is happening with Sean Maguire. Interpersonal therapy fit him because it primarily focuses on the relationships affects people. Maguire is an unhappy man challenged in many ways especially when the wife dies; he is a broke therapist who feels unspoken grief, depression, and stress. The interpersonal part focuses on treating such conditions. Using these therapy symptoms such as the depression mood can be understood. The situation is even affecting the way Sean interacts with the students; he can barely hold their attention. With interpersonal therapy, he has a chance to improve in his interaction with them. Moreover, the treatment focuses on loss and grief; Maguire is wounded insight though he cannot show it. Interpersonal therapy will assist him to express the emotions lying inside in a more healthy way at the same time aiding to deal with the past relationships. With this Sean can be able to look back and see how the patterns have formed. Conversely, ethical issues such as the ability to draw knowledge of the factor involved and associated with the condition of the patient in the application of interpersonal therapy should be taken care of. It is imperative for the specialist to discern accurately the relationship attached the problem expressed by the patient.
Moreover, behavior problems and its effects on other family members is often a result of family problems, in which may be translated into Jason’s behavior or acting out (Thomlinson, 2016). Changing behavioral factors intervention would allow the counselor to assess behaviors that are observable, measurable, and changeable. In doing as such, would support change when it is accomplished through altering what happens before and after the specified behavior occurs. Identifying current and alternative triggers is the first step in changing adverse behavior (Thomlinson,
Within the sociological perspective there are many concepts, however there are only a handful of concepts that explain Will Hunting’s actions and identity. Social location is the overarching reason for ones actions and identity. It predefines one’s life; actions, emotions, identity and all aspects of life. Social location is defined as “…the intersection point of specific social forces” (Berger 67). A person cannot help but to be thrown into a certain social location and this location limits human behaviour and expectations. Social forces refer to anything in society that can cause change; friends, family, legal system, etc. Within a social location, there are certain rules one must abide by “…location in society constitutes a definition of rules that have to be obeyed” (68). These rules are present in order to keep a functioning society, social control comes in when people disobey these rules and need to be put back into line. Social control is ...
This paper will discuss the relationship between Will Hunting and the psychologist Sean Mcguire in the movie Good Will Hunting. The struggles that occur between these main characters will be analyzed and their meanings found. A basic outline of the movie will be included to give the larger picture and its influence upon the two men.
Fifty years ago, a person breaking the law would either be called crazy or a criminal. Today, the mental health community has much more specific diagnoses. However, the explanation of certain behaviors may be difficult because there is much overlap among mental conditions. In Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho, the protagonist, Patrick Bateman, is apparently simply a psychopath. However, Bateman can be diagnosed with other mental illnesses such as Asperger’s syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, narcissism, and antisocial personality disorder. In both the book and film adaptation, Bateman’s actions can be understood more accurately when analyzed in light of modern psychology.
“Cognitive-behavior therapy refers to those approaches inspired by the work of Albert Ellis (1962) and Aaron Beck (1976) that emphasize the need for attitude change to promote and maintain behavior modification” (Nichols, 2013, p.185). A fictitious case study will next be presented in order to describe ways in which cognitive behavioral therapy can be used to treat the family members given their presenting problems.
Miguel and Rosa have agreed to address the following issues during their treatment. First, they will develop appropriate strategies for managing anger. Second, increase their understanding of ADD and parenting techniques. Third, expand the current support network of their family. We will begin their process by implementing the Brief Strategic Family Therapy model. This therapy allows the family to address their issues collectively and individually. With this approach Miguel and Rosa will address their maladaptive behavior, by developing good communication skills and by helping them to define the family strengths. This therapy will also address Christopher’s aggressive and antisocial behavior, by coaching him in a new behavior. This style therapy along with couple’s therapy and support groups will provide Miguel and Rosa with the tools needed to promote health communication in their relationship, also with how to communicate with their
(Erikson, 1980) Erikson’s psychosocial stages of development theory are in my opinion one of the best ways to look at Will Hunting’s changing personality and behaviour in the movie. Will’s avoidant and defensive personality is due to his abusive foster parents, he never received sympathy from his foster parents which made him accept the abuse as well as him becoming the abuser, as we see in the film when Will fights a former classmate that bullied him in kindergarten years ago. Another example of abuse is in the form of psychological abuse towards the marriage of Macguire and his deceased wife in which Will continually insults. Will seems to fluctuate stages throughout the movie, due to being an orphan and abuse from his foster parents he is fluctuating between the stages of basic trust vs. mistrust, and Initiative vs. guilt. Then when he meets Skylar (Minnie Driver) his development shifts to intimacy vs. isolation. (Erikson,
Good Will Hunting is a film which conveys many interlocking themes and messages to its viewers. One of these nicely woven themes is placing trust in the people we care about as well as people we have only recently become acquainted with. Another message, arguably more significant than the last is finding and pursuing the potential one has and bringing meaning into our lives in any form we choose. I believe the potential and success this film demonstrates is that success, growth, and meaning in a person’s life does not always have to come in the form of advancing in a career or social status but rather in the form of overcoming hardships and developing close reciprocating relationships.
My rationale for writing this paper is to know what oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is and its effect on age, gender, and concurring behaviors (comorbidity) like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder (CD). How these conditions are affected in getting the proper diagnosis and treatment for ODD. Loeber, Burke, and Pardini reported in clinical groups among children, ODD is listed as one of the most commonly known behavioral disorders (as cited in Kazdin, 1995). Stringaris and Goodman (2009) found ODD is apparently very important among adolescents because of its strong connection with a large assortment of fully developed mental health disorders such as (as cited by Kim-Cohen et all., 2003, Nock, Kazdin, Hiripi, & Kessler, 2007) conduct disorder (CD) and an introverted disorder (as cited by Burke, Loeber, Lahey, & Rathouz, 2005; Costello, Mustillo, Erkanli, Keeler, & Angold, 2003; Ford, Goodman, & Meltzer, 2003).
Good Will Hunting is the graceful tale of a young gentleman’s struggle to find out where he belongs in the world, by first finding out who he himself is. In this film, Matt Damon takes on the role of a disturbed genius that has a keen understanding of the deepness of human character. The film is a voyage through the mind of Will Hunting as he is required to undergo psychotherapy as an alternative to serving jail time. With the assistance of a psychologist, played by Robin Williams, Will learns about himself and recognizes his individual worth in the world by comprehending what is most important to him in his own life. This motion picture serves as a source of superb example for film technique. Gus Van Sant’s directing ability joined with the writing skills of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, who also plays Will’s best buddy, Chuckie, is a vibrant mixture of technical features used to induce sentiment and compassion amongst the viewers of this heart-warming film. Characteristics of the color, angles, shots, camera movement, editing, and distortions are all each particularly noteworthy to the general composition of Van Sant’s Good Will Hunting.
Will Hunting epitomises a punk prodigy. The 20-year-old delinquent works as a janitor at MIT, solving impossible equations, meant for students, in his spare time. He is soon recruited by one of MIT’s professors and made to participate in a rehabilitation programme with the hope of being employed by the university. Rehabilitation is made challenging as Will is a troubled individual; having grown up in abusive environments and jumping from different foster homes.
Silver, Eric. 2006. “Understanding the Relationship between Mental Disorder and Violence: The Need for a Criminological Perspective.” Law and Human Behavior 30(6):685-706.
Mental illness, today we are surround by a broad array of types of mental illnesses and new discoveries in this field every day. Up till the mid 1800’s there was no speak of personality disorder, in fact there was only two type of mental illness recognized. Those two illnesses as defined by Dr. Sam Vaknin (2010), “”delirium” or “manial”- were depression (melancholy), psychoses, and delusions.” It was later in 1835 when J. C. Pritchard the British Physician working at Bristol Infirmary Hospital published his work titled “Treatise on Insanity and Other Disorder of the Mind” this opened the door to the world of personality disorder. There were many story and changes to his theories and mental illness and it was then when Henry Maudsley in 1885 put theses theories to work and applied to a patient. This form of mental illness has since grown into the many different types of personality disorder that we know today. Like the evolution of the illness itself there has been a significant change in the way this illness is diagnosed and treated.
In Good Will Hunting, the main character, Will Hunting is shown as being a complex character. He is depicted as being brash, intelligent, and loyal. It is theorized by one of the secondary characters that due to a history of abuse and abandonment, Will uses his intelligence and aggression to drive people away so that they cannot hurt or leave him. Will is constantly portrayed as pushing and keeping people away through use of his intelligence and aggression, before he is able to grow and maintain close relationships because of the help he received from Sean, a psychologist.
In 1950s America, the fields of psychology and psychoanalysis were beginning to be reexamined and expanded as more cases of mental distress and disorders were uncovered that no one knew how to treat. These cases could often related back to one main theme, which was unhappiness in one aspect of an individual’s life. This problem area could be home life, work, social status, or a number of other areas. No matter what the root of the problem, the issue always caused a person to feel inconsequential and their minds would spiral down a negative path until they were no longer, by society’s terms, sane. Existentialists, those who believe individuals should be responsible for developing how they want and when they want, viewed these allegedly crazy people as developing at their own pace. They did not believe, however, that these people were discovering the meaning of their life as they were, more often than not, unhappy with their lives. The existentialists believed that when one does not aim for a specific goal or yearn to find meaning in their life, they are not living their life the way it was intended. The existential view emphasized a person or individual being responsible for determining their development on their own terms and discovering the meaning in life. When the mind gets in the way, in cases such as psychopathy, it does not allow for the individual to discover the true meaning of their own life as their judgment may become clouded by their current state of mind. The mind has a great deal of power in the matter of deciding whether a person will succeed on the existential path or if they will go down the path of psychopathy. This power can do a person a lot of good but it may also cause them a lot of stress and harm ...