Forrest Gump Character Analysis in Terms of Psychology

The goal of this Forrest Gump character analysis essay is to introduce and examine the 1994 film Forrest Gump. More specifically, it will analyze the character of Forrest Gump as it relates to human development and psychology. The character of Forrest Gump in the film portrays many characteristics of psychology, such as emotion, adult development, limited IQ, behavior, and adaptation. Most importantly, Gump’s personality showcases social and moral development. Forrest Gump’s character is complex despite its own simplicity, making it such a good character to analyze in this way.

Forrest Gump: psychological analysis

Forrest Gump’s innocence resembles the one of a child, which makes him way more emotional than many people consider him of being. Gump is not ever afraid to show someone how he feels such as the time he sees Lieutenant Dan after the war. This moment captures his emotion in the way that he is so amazingly happy to see him and can barely contain himself. Forrest is never ashamed of his emotions and in that, he is like a child, always curious about the world around him, and not afraid to show it. This aspect of his psychology is endearing to most of the people who watch the film. Forrest’s innocence and trust of a child makes the audience review their own pessimism and bitterness. Gump’s character is so deceptively simple and his simplicity and honesty creates questions and wonders for the audience. It seems to cause the audience to question their own emotions and innocence and even at times perhaps the lack of it. Gump only sees the good in a situation, never the bad, which makes him appealing, and someone to take by example, as well.

Forrest Gump’s adult development plays a major role in this film. Although Gump grows up and does many of the things other typical adults do, he never does develop emotionally as an adult. According to the movie, his IQ is somewhere around 75, which keeps him childlike and innocent. In some ways this is his charm, yet does not allow him to completely develop into a man. Because of this, Gump never expressed Freud’s five stages. Gump never fixated on the oral, anal, phallic, latent, or genital areas of Freud’s psychosocial theories. He only ever eyes for Jenny, and never once expressed sexual desire for her. Although he loves her, it is with the childish worship of a young boy. His relationship with Jenny is an example that implies that while Gump is an adult, his mind cannot quite accept some of the ideas that make up adult relationships. Forrest Gump bears childlike innocence and is not emotionally ready for a full, adult romantic relationship with all of the sexuality and maturity that comes along with it.

In the film, Forrest Gump seems to suffer from Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism. He fails to recognize people’s facial expressions and cannot carry on adequate conversation. A major sign of this is how he “does not understand any social explanation”. In the opening scene, Forrest offers a stranger a chocolate, and starts to talk about shoes even though he cannot recognize that she is very uninterested. Although his disability limits his communication and interpersonal skills, he proves to have fine-tuned physical and motor abilities.

Forrest Gump’s form of autism and lack of social judgement contribute to his innate all goodness. Forrest proves Carl Rogers’ theory by portraying “all innate goodness”. Forrest means well for everyone and has no intention of hurting someone unless he feels that Jenny may be in danger. He also never holds any grudges and is quick to forgive. An example of his goodness is when he decides to go rescue Bubba from the jungle while in Vietnam. Gump initially goes in to save Bubba but cannot leave his fellow comrades behind after hearing their cries for help as well. Forrest Gump’s innately good qualities also showcase extrinsic motivation in his character. Forrest gave Bubba’s mother a share of his company, because he felt that it was right even though he did not have to do so.

Forrest’s behavior and adaptation are two of his most significant qualities in the movie. Unlike most, Forrest does not seem to make his choices on factors like society or peer pressure. Forrest does what he wants whenever he wants and does not think of the results of his actions. He joins the Army not really understanding the task at hand, and in the end, he sees it as a positive experience. None of his behavioral actions are planned, and neither are the outcomes, and somehow Forrest always prospers, somewhat because of his innocence and trust. In the movie, he develops and conforms to any situation that comes his way. Forrest is able to adapt to death, friendship, and fame, and is not fazed by any of it. He seems to accommodate to almost any situation because of how he does not understand the implications of the situations he finds himself. Forrest is adaptable because of his simple nature and childlike wonder at everything around him, and he simply cannot see anything bad happening to him.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Forrest Gump character analysis shows that he is a deceivingly complex character in a very simple shell. Psychologically, Gump is simple-minded with a low IQ, yet however, seems to be more compassionate, sympathetic, and innocent than just about any other adult could ever be. Forrest Gump is wise in his innocence, which makes him quite charming and successful at the same time. He does not allow society or others to influence him in the way that makes his own decisions and choices. Forrest Gump is a model for others and a character that is perplex and full of detail in a very unique way.

References

1. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
2. Gump, F., & Conkey, C. (1994). Forrest Gump. Random House.
3. Hergenhahn, B. R., & Olson, M. H. (2018). An Introduction to Theories of Learning (10th ed.). Routledge.
4. McLeod, S. (2018). Erik Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development. Simply Psychology. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/Erik-Erikson.html
5. Myers, D. G. (2014). Exploring Psychology (9th ed.). Worth Publishers.
6. Steinberg, S. (2018). The Psychological Movie Review: Forrest Gump. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psychiatry-and-popcorn/201807/the-psychological-movie-review-forrest-gump