Borderline Intellectual Functioning in Forrest gump:
An Imprecise Portrayal Borderline Intellectual Functioning, also referred to as BIF, is a categorization of intelligence for individuals who are below average intelligence, but do not have an intellectual development disorder. Numerically, individuals with IQ’s between 71 ad 85 are fall into the BIF categorization. Being the middle categorization between having a disability and having average intelligence most people do not know about BIF, which leads to many negative connotations and false representations in popular media. However, unlike other portrayals of BIF, the oscar-winning film, Forrest Gump directed by Robert Zemeckis, did a fairly decent job in many aspects that characterize
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The National Library to Medicine further expands on the idea of social impairment n individuals with BIF. Some of the symptoms of having BIF or and intellectual disability are lack of curiosity, failure to adapt, and difficulty understanding to following social rules (NLM). Robert Zemeckis does a great job a depicting how individuals with BIF are impaired in a social context. There are number of scenes where Forrest does not pick up on school cues in a relatively simple setting, something an average intelligence person could have easily. About twenty-six minutes into the film Forrest was visiting Jenny at her all girl’s college. It was late at night and Forrest was waiting outside Jenny’s dorm because boys were not allowed inside. Forrest noticed a car with two people inside and they were kissing, then he realizes it was Jenny and she made a sound that resembled a sound of pain. He ran over to the car and punched the guy that was kissing Jenny. As the dude in the car races off Jenny yells “he doesn't know any better” (MOVIE). Robert Zemeckis is directly indicating that Forrest didn't pick up on the social cues and he didn't realize that Jenny was doing what most college students do, which is experiment and become sexually active if there weren’t already. This scene does a great job showing how individuals with BIF will not pick on the social cues most would. Because of their low IQ, they are impaired and have a difficult time understanding social rules (Emerson). The following scene Forrest is in Jenny’s room sitting quietly and a looking kind of dazed as if he had no clue what just happened and why Jenny was angry with him. This scene just further indicates that low IQ individuals have a difficult time understanding the unspoken language of social rules. Forrest does a good job represent an individual with BIF in the social
Bob Schmoe is a 34-year-old Caucasian male who was referred by his Department of Rehabilitation caseworker for an evaluation. His intelligence was measured using the Wechsler Abbreviated Scales of Intelligence (WASI). There were four subtests measured, two of which were verbal and the other two were non-verbal. Bob’s nonverbal abilities, specific analyses of subtest scores and math computation skills showed both fell within the low average range. Bob’s visual spatial skills fell within the low average range as well. In addition, Bob’s spelling skills fell within the borderline range. Lastly, Bob scored highest in his verbal comprehension and word reading even though both fell within the average percentile of his age group. Altogether,
Nathanial displayed deficits in executive functions. Executive functions are higher-level cognitive skills (Toglia et al., 2013). Individuals with deficits have limitations in viewing other perspectives, generating alternative solutions, and having reduced coping skills. Executive function impairments influence an individual’s social participation, daily activities, and occupational performance (Toglia et al., 2013). Nathanial showed dysfunction in social interaction and displayed social inappropriateness. Tamminga and Medoff (2000) research showed the psychosocial disability could come from the cognitive dysfunction. He had difficulties looking at individuals directly and participating in social conversations. During the movie, Nathanial wore white face paint and spoke more to a figurine than to other human beings. He had difficulty with self-regulation and decision-making. Self-regulation is the ability to monitor, evaluate, and self-correct actions. Nathanial would have a difficult time regulating his emotions, usually when his diagnosis of schizophrenia was brought up.
Many people may say one is a retard without knowing the truth behind the actual word. Intellectual Disability, also known as Mental Retardation, is a very serious psychological disorder that few are faced with for life. Intellectual Disability is characterized by a below-average level of intelligence (a mental ability) that lacks skills necessary for daily living. An IQ is the standard way to measure the level of intelligence one may have. Roughly 95% of humans have the IQ between 70 and 130. (Meyers and DeWall, 2014). The other five percent are either absolute genius or intellectually disabled. Being intellectually disabled can be caused in many ways
Forrest Gump is an All American, fan favorite, award-winning film directed by Robert Zemeckis that was released on July 6, 1994. Tom Hanks stars as the main character, Forrest Gump. The award-winning movie’s genre is best described as an epic romantic comedy drama. Many rhetorical appeals such as ethos, pathos, and logos are made throughout the entire movie. Pathos is used the most effecting the audiences’ emotions from beginning to end. The film is based on Forrest Gump’s life, in which he narrated as a historical story throughout the movie. Forrest Gump was born and raised in Greenbow, Alabama by his single mother. Forrest was mentally and physically handicapped. He had to wear medal braces on both of his legs. He also faced many
What is sociological imagination? Our textbook describes sociological imagination as the ability to see our private experiences, personal difficulties, and achievements as, in part, a reflection of the structural arrangements of society and the times in which we live. The movie entitled Forrest Gump is a great example of sociological imagination. In this paper, I will cite examples from the movie and tell how they correlate with sociological imagination. Sociological imagination allows us examine the events of our lives and see how they intersect with the wider context of history and tradition of the society
The movie Forrest Gump tells the story of one man’s extraordinary life as he also participates in many of the key historical points of the latter half of the 20th century. The theme of rationalization is seen throughout this movie, because it has become such a big part of the American culture. Forrest stands out from the world around him, so he doesn’t usually conform to the pattern of rationalization himself, but he experiences it none the less.
Forrest Gump is one of the greatest movies of all time. It brings together many of the most relevant themes and controversial subjects in modern society. Including some of the most difficult subjects such as; discrimination, racism, war, hardcore drug use, mental trauma, as well as a disease epidemic.
In the movie Forrest Gump, Tom Hanks portrays a character that was diagnosed with a low IQ score of 75 as a young child. Throughout the movie the character Forrest Gump is sought of as having a disadvantaged life because of his low IQ and his mild intellectual behavior disorder however, his actions proved that he is far from disadvantaged and was able to live not only a normal life but an adventurous one. Despite suffering from his mild form of intellectual behavior disorder Forrest Gump did not have many friends growing up however, he was able to have a few lifelong friends and was able to have an impact on not only his country but the community in which he grew up in. The disability was only addressed at the beginning of
“Life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what you’re going to get” (Hanks). Many times when books are changed into movies they are done incorrectly. Forrest Gump is one of these examples. Forrest Gump, the novel, was written in 1986 by the author Winston Groom. The movie Forrest Gump was created by Paramount Pictures in 1994. Tom Hanks stars as the main character Forrest Gump. The movie portrayed Forrest Gump in a different way and as sometimes more innocent than his character in the book. This is shown in three different ways: Jenny and Forrest’s relationship, Characters’ drug use, and in the book Forrest is involved in more activities and adventures.
My first subject is Forrest Gump, in analyzing Forrest we understand how he correlates toward the psychoanalytic theory (p. 35-38). Since Forrest has an IQ of 75, which is reflected as intellectually disabled or formerly called mental retarded. Forrest is incapable of preserving the necessary abilities that require language, comprehension, mathematics, and social communication. Forrest has overcome the actuality that he’s distinguished and classified as intellectually disabled, with the encouragement of his mother, Forrest has developed a sense of self (p. 335-336 & 339-340).
In the movie, Forrest Gump, Tom Hanks plays an intellectually handicapped man named Forrest Gump from Greenbow, Alabama. The majority of the movie took place through his recounting of his memories from early childhood all the way up to his current age. This paper looks at Forrest’s ability to communicate, his diligence in a relationship, ability to cope, and his self-perception.
The film Forrest Gump uses a lot of information and historical events and expresses them using aesthetic techniques such as sound, cinematography, editing, etc. The director Robert Zemeckis uses form to explain the overall meaning of the film specifically with symbolism from popular phrases and gives visual examples throughout the story.
Greenbow, Alabama. The people of slow paced Greenbow were not used to any kind of change or someone who is considered different than the norm. Growing up, Forrest did not fit in to the social norms of his town. Social norms are described as laws that govern society’s behaviors. Although these norms are not considered to be formal laws within society, they still work to create a great deal of social control. It is important to note that what is considered “normal” is relative to the location and culture in which the norms are taking place. Because Forrest did not fit into the norms of his community he was labeled as an outcast. He was often made fun of by other children for having leg braces and being mentally slower than the others. Due to his mental disabilities, Forrest becomes the victim of academic and social discrimination, which his mother fights desperately to resolve. At first, Forrest was denied entrance to his local school. His mama refused to send Forrest to a school to “retread tires” and went to great extents to force him into the normal school. After being able to
Forrest Gump is a complex and interesting lead character and provides a unique contrast to typical early adulthood behavior. In the film, from the time he attends college, towards the end of the film where he begins his role as a father, Forrest goes through normal events that occur in the lives of many young adults. His reaction and development is different from most however, and he goes through interesting events and experiences. This contrast between typical life events and a slower than normal development shows that some expectations about cognitive abilities may not be as important. Even those who are considered "slow" by the mainstream population can be successful and live a life full of typical life events that fall within a typical
“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” Forrest Gump is the portrayal of a man that has been alienated from society, not because he is unintelligent or dimwitted, but rather because he is not restricted by the conventional ideals which are embedded within his culture; thus, Forrest challenges the conformities and principals that most people are accustomed to. The contrast that Robert Zemeckis, director of the film, is attempting to convey through the character of Forrest Gump is how most people are too smart for there own good; and thus, try to escape the realities and actualities of life. While other characters in the story are suppressed by society’s conflicts, Forrest remains blinded