Jill M. Moore
A31391335
PSY 236
Assignment #2
In the film, Rushmore, the central character Max
Fischer displays a wide variety of personality
characteristics similar to what we’ve discussed in class
this semester.
For this assignment, I will apply
principles of the Psychoanalytic theory as well as the
self-concept theory to explain some of Max’s peculiar
tendencies.
Max Fischer is quite the character – he is involved in
just about every extra-curricular activity possible, but
can’t seem to maintain passing grades in any of his
classes.
achiever.
He is both an over-achiever and an underHe is the king of Rushmore High School, but his
focus and desires soon change direction to Miss Cross, a
teacher at Rushmore that is much too old for him.
It is
because of Miss Cross that Max starts to develop anxieties
and insecurities.
In order to reduce these anxieties, Max
employs what Freud referred to as defense mechanisms.
most obvious defense mechanism Max uses is denial.
The
Instead
of facing up to reality – the fact that Miss Cross is too
old for him and that they could never have a relationship –
Max refuses to admit these truths and continues pestering
her and pressing the issue.
He makes himself believe, and
wants Miss Cross to believe, that they belong together.
Things only become more complicated when Max’s friend, Mr.
Blume, finds that he too longs for Miss Cross.
initiates an all-out war between Max and Blume.
This
Max
snitches to Mrs. Blume that her husband has been
unfaithful, he lets loose a swarm of bees in Blume’s hotel
room and even cuts the brakes on his car.
Here Max is
using another defense mechanism, rationalization.
He
rationalizes to himself that all of these drastic and
dangerous measures are justifiable because Blume stole his
love.
Finally, a third defense mechanism Max uses is
undoing.
After all of these acts of vengeance against Mr.
Blume and Miss Cross, he proceeds to apologize and ask for
forgiveness for his actions.
Throughout the film, Max always seems to be concerned
with what others think of him.
He seems eager to impress
and even falsifies much of his background to gain more
respect, admiration and high regard.
For example, he lies
about his father’s occupation – claiming he is a
neurosurgeon when in actuality he’s a barber.
high public self-consciousness.
Max displays
People with high public
self-consciousness are more likely to adapt their attitudes
and beliefs toward that of others.
Latin class at Rushmore.
An example of this is
For years Max had been protesting
this “dead language” and trying to get it removed from the
school curriculum.
However, when he learns that Miss Cross
adores Latin, he petitions to the board of education to get
it back.
Max focuses more attention to his external
environment than his internal and thus displays a social
identity orientation.
People with social identity
orientations tend to define themselves based on what others
think of them and are highly concerned with reputation.
It’s very clear that this is true for Max.
When Miss Cross
refuses their relationship and starts seeing Mr. Blume, you
can see Max’s whole demeanor change.
He becomes depressed
and melancholy, and even gives up school.
He lets the
rejection he feels from not being accepted by Miss Cross
determine his actions, moods and attitude.
Max Fischer is a peculiar boy, with a wide array of
personality characteristics that set him apart from others.
But he also displays many traits that support theories
we’ve discussed in class.
He employs many of Freud’s
defense mechanisms and is a testament to the reality of
high public self-consciousness and social identity
orientation.
apply