Marilyn Monroe and Karen Horney's Theory of Neuroticism Essay

Probably the most celebrated of all actresses, Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jean Baker on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles General Hospital, to Gladys Baker. Gladys had been a film cutter at RKO studios, but psychological problems prevented her from keeping the job and she was eventually committed to a mental institution, because of that Norma Jean spent time in foster homes until she was 16 years of age. As an unlucky soul, Marilyn focused on her dreams of becoming a movie star. Being born and raised to a custom of fame and fortune in

Hollywood is a very powerful modern day institution, where a star's image can characterize, shape and circulate societal myths and ideologies. The construction of a star's image as a commodity of their societal myths and ideologies has the extraordinary power to exert messages so that even the smallest details become significant yet not overtly obvious. How a star's image is produced and then consumed can justify a society's relationship with that image and therefore aid in explaining the social construction of what society deems as their 'reality'. A star's image is created through a range of representations churned out by Hollywood. Capitalism from the commercialization of these images has made Hollywood the dominant force it is

Monroe was born as Norma Jean Baker on June 1st, 1926. In her childhood, a critical stage in life, she lived without stable parental

Karen Horney is one of the preeminent figures and founders of modern psychoanalysis. Although her ideas are not widely taught today or accepted as a basis of psychoanalysis in and of themselves, her ideas of social and environmental influences are “integrated into modern psychoanalysis therapies and personality development theory” (Quinn). She was a contemporary of Sigmund Freud and was one of his early followers. Yet Horney joined the class of neo-Freudians after her research and writing led her to develop and establish psychoanalytical theories that ran counter to Freud's ideas. She objected to the Freudian psychology of women, which instigated the search for her own theories for the causes of neurosis. This in turn led to her

One can point out many factors could have led or contributed to Marilyn Monroe being diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. As stated in her back ground history she had many stressful events throughout her childhood and adult life. Monroe’s childhood was filled with poverty. The simple fact of Monroe’s mother being diagnosed with a mental illness posed a greater treat of her

The most predominant features of Marilyn Monroe’s personality can be explained by extraversion and neuroticism with Eyesenk’s model of personality. If they are explained in order, first of all, she was extremely extroverted; she could easily carry on conversations with others despite her difficulty for developing close relational ties. She was enthusiastic, talkative, social, assertive and motivated woman. Her extraversion may also explain that why she is still remembered, talked and imitated today. Secondly, Marilyn Monroe has severe neuroticism. “People who score high on neuroticism tend to be anxious, temperamental, self-pitying, self-conscious, emotional, and vulnerable to stress- related disorders” (p.428-9). She had a tendency to experience negative, intense, puzzled feelings and was inconsistent with her feelings. She was often very depressed and in bad mood. Because of these reasons, she used drugs and alcohol. In these conditions, her childhood experiences may have a big impact on her neurotic personality. Lack of unconditional love and support from her parents, her mother’s serious medical and psychological disorders, the state of being exploited by others may make her more nervous, anxious, and emotional etc. Finally, I believe that psychoticism, which means being antisocial, hostile and

Marilyn Monroe did not start her life as a well-known star. She was born to Gladys Pearl Baker a mentally unstable women. When Norma Jeane was seven years old her mother was hospitalized after being diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic. “No one ever

transformation was her dyeing her hair blonde, second she divorced James, that same year, she signed her first contract with the Fox Studios, and was paid 75$ a week. Finally, on August 24th 1946, Norma Jeane Dougherty became Marilyn Monroe.

     Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Baker on June 1, 1926. Her mother’s name was Gladys Baker Mortensen. Baker being the name of her other two children and Mortensen the name of her last husband who disappeared just months after their marriage in 1924. Although Edward Mortensen was Gladys’ husband at the time of Norma’s birth, he was not her father. No one knows for sure who her father was, but it was believed that it was Gladys’ lover C. Stanley Gifford .

Marilyn was exchanged from caregiver to caregiver so much that she began to take on different characteristics from them. She produced a slight British accent after one of the foster parents were from England and up until the day she died if one listened closely enough the articulation could be detected (Banner 25). It was also in one of these orphanages, Marilyn Monroe was the subject of sexual abuse. However, the whole story was never divulged by Marilyn, only mentioned in bits and pieces. Through extensive research, sources calculate this to have occurred at the end of 1933 (Banner 53). Allegedly, this abuse was inflicted by Doc Goddard or George Atkinson, tenants of one of the foster homes Marilyn was housed at. This incident caused Marilyn to stutter terrible and, in order to overcompensate for this, start to speak in a soft voice and adopt gentle mannerisms (Banner 54). Shortly after, Marilyn Monroe's mother took her back under her own care. However, this was a brief reconciliation. It is said that Marilyn confessed her sexual assault to her mother. This was too much for Glady Bakers fragile mindset and, at the beginning of 1934. She suffered from a severe mental breakdown that she never recovered from (Banner

Sometimes actions speak louder than words and open the door for others to be their own person. Marilyn Monroe was brave breaking the world’s stereotypes of the day. She was an American actress and model, and was one of the most popular sex symbols in the 1950’s. “Marilyn was considered the most beautiful woman of her time. She was more than that though. Marilyn was a role model who showed young women that they could triumph over a troubled past and still grow up to be anything they wanted.”(Scotti) Marilyn Monroe was abandoned by her mother to many foster homes. She struggled through drug problems, alcohol problems, and men problems. She knew she was not perfect. Marilyn noticed her flaws and embraced them. She proved to women that they can triumph over anything life throws at them. “Keep smiling, because life is a beautiful thing and there’s so much to smile about” (Drops). Through all the struggles growing up, Marilyn Monroe always found something to smile about. She should be a role model for people all over the world and look for the good in

Brought into this world in June of 1926 was a baby girl named Norma Jeane Mortenson, otherwise known as Marilyn Monroe. Her childhood was mostly spent in the orphanages and foster homes in California. This was a result of never

Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, is known as the greatest American sex symbol of all time. Monroe had a very difficult childhood. She spent most of her days in foster care and orphanages, dealt with challenges such as not

It feels as though most of the time when thinking about psychology and the great contributions that have been made to it, that most of them have been from men, but along the way there have been several influential women that have contributed to the field of psychology as well. Just like men, there were several women who were pioneers, theorists, and counselors; many of these women have contributed to the field of psychology in their own special between the years of 1850 and 1950. Of all these amazing women who are pioneers, theorists, and counselors, the one who stands out the most is Anna Freud. This paper will go on to explain Anna Freud’s

There are many factors which may have had an effect on Marilyn Monroe’s psychological state. I will attempt to prove in my case study and treatment plan, that if Marilyn Monroe had lived in the time period we live in today she would have been better able to be overcome her struggle with mental illness. If treated for Borderline Personality Disorder (F60.3/ 301.83) at an early age it is possible that Norma Jean Baker would most likely lived a healthy long life.