PLOT OF THE MOVIE

The movie “Good Will Hunting” is based on Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a twenty-year-old self-
taught genius, who has a job as a janitor at MIT. Will comes from a low-class neighborhood in
South Boston, living in a bad house with violence and crime all around. Professor Lambeau put a
math theorem question on the chalkboard for his students to solve, however, when the problem is
solved, Lambeau sets out to find this mystery person. He soon finds out that Will was this
person. The next day, Will and his buddies, Chuckie, Billy, and Morgan, get into some trouble
fighting some guys and Will gets arrested and has a court date. During this arraignment, it is
announced that Will has quite the rap sheet including multiple accounts of assault, theft,
resisting, and much more as well as learning he had been through multiple foster homes growing
up, some with physical abuse. Lambeau meets with Will, explaining he will be set free under two
conditions: 1. Work on advanced mathematics with Lambeau and 2. Meet with a therapist, Sean
Maguire, who has a similar background to will. You find out through these meetings that Will
has an attachment disorder as well as a fear of abandonment and uses many defense
mechanisms.. Will begins seeing Skylar more often, getting more confident in himself and the
relationship, but when Skylar asks him to go to California with him, he immediately pushes her
away and tells her he doesn’t love her-which Maguire sees as a defense mechanism for Will to
protect himself. After a breakthrough in one of the sessions, Will begins to turn his life around by
getting a job at McNeil, however, he realizes he wants to go after Skylar in California and leaves
South Boston for good

1. Life Span Stages Portrayed in the Movie and the relevance of socio-cultural context

to the growth and behavior of Will Hunting

The film primarily explores the early adulthood stage of the life span, focusing on Will's
journey from a troubled janitor at MIT to a young man grappling with his past and potential.
More about it has been discussed in the next part of the assignment.

Will's socio-cultural-historical context plays a pivotal role in shaping his identity and
influencing his behavior throughout the film. Born and raised in South Boston, a working-
class neighborhood with its own set of challenges and expectations. Economic struggles
further compound the challenges faced by Will. The film portrays South Boston as a
community marked by financial hardships, where individuals like Will often find themselves
trapped in a cycle of poverty. This economic backdrop becomes a significant factor
influencing Will's decisions and behavior, as he navigates the tension between pursuing
intellectual endeavors and meeting immediate financial needs. Cultural norms in South
Boston, characterized by a rugged masculinity and a skepticism toward intellectualism, shape
Will's identity. His tough exterior and defensive demeanor serve as a survival mechanism in
an environment where vulnerability is often perceived as weakness.
 The cultural expectations of conformity to a traditional, working-class identity clash with
Will's innate intellectual abilities, leading to a profound sense of isolation and alienation.
Will, despite his extraordinary intellect, is confined to a janitorial role at MIT. The blue-
collar, working-class ethos of his upbringing dictates a certain path for individuals like him,
emphasizing manual labor over intellectual pursuits. This societal expectation becomes a
source of internal conflict for Will, who grapples with the dichotomy between his natural
intelligence and the limited opportunities afforded to him within his socio-cultural context.
Will's internal conflicts, rooted in his socio-cultural-historical context, manifest in his
reluctance to embrace opportunities for growth. Despite his genius-level IQ, he sabotages job
interviews and rejects offers from prestigious institutions. This resistance is not merely a
product of personal choice but is intricately connected to the cultural influences and societal
norms ingrained in him since childhood.

As the film progresses, Will's growth becomes synonymous with breaking free from the
constraints of his upbringing. The transformative power of education, self-discovery, and
authentic human connections ultimately allows him to transcend the limitations imposed by
his socio-cultural-historical context.

In conclusion, "Good Will Hunting" masterfully weaves a narrative that delves into the
complexities of early adulthood development. Will Hunting's journey from a troubled janitor
in South Boston to a young man embracing his intellectual gifts reflects the intricate interplay
between individual growth and the socio-cultural-historical context. The film serves as a
poignant exploration of the impact societal expectations, economic struggles, and cultural
norms can have on an individual's identity and the profound transformations that can occur
when these challenges are confronted and overcome.

2. Human Developmental Theories that can be applied in the Movie

There were multiple developmental theories that can be applied throughout the movie such as :-

I. Freud’s Ego Defense Mechanisms –

One of the developmental theories that are used for Will Hunting in the movie is
Freud’s Ego Defense Mechanisms. This theory means protecting oneself from
anxiety, guilt, or fear by using one or more defense mechanisms. Will uses the
mechanism of “Displacement”. Displacement is the redirection of an impulse (usually
aggression) onto a powerless substitute target. During the film, it is discovered that
Will is an orphan who went through physical abuse in some of the foster homes he
was placed in. Knowing this background, the audience understands better why Will
did some of the things he did. An example of Will using displacement in the movie is
when he takes all of the aggression he was shown by some of his abusive foster
parents as a child and is constantly attacking others with words or fighting.
 Another main character that can be applied to using Freud’s Ego Defense
Mechanisms is Sean Maguire, Will’s therapist. Sean lost his wife of 18 years and had
not dated anyone since she passed. During one of their sessions, Will brings up his
wife and says, “Maybe you married the wrong women”, which triggers the anger in
Sean about losing his wife. He replies saying, “If you ever disrespect my wife again, I
will end you. You got that chief?”. Maguire uses the same mechanism as Will,
displacement. He took his anger of losing his wife and Will disrespecting their
marriage out on Will by pushing him against a wall and threatening him.

II. Erik Erikson's Psychosocial Development Theory – Erikson proposed a

psychosocial development theory that identifies eight stages of development, each

characterized by a unique psychosocial crisis. Successful resolution of these crises

leads to the development of a healthy personality.

 Erikson’s Theory of Development can also be applied towards Will’s

character throughout the movie starting with when he was a child with

Stage 1: Trust vs Mistrust leading to Stage 6: Intimacy Isolation.

 Erikson explains the Trust vs Mistrust period as this “If a child does not

experience trust, he or she may develop insecurity, worthlessness, and

general mistrust to the world”. The first stage of Erikson’s theory can be

applied because Will was abandoned by his parents when he was a baby

and grew up an orphan moving around to different foster homes. He did

not get the trust from his parents that he needed to at that young of an

age which caused him to grow up with mistrust to the world and people

around him. In the movie, Maguire has a monologue that says, “Why is

he hiding, why does he not trust anybody? Because he was abandoned

by the people who were supposed to love him the most. He pushes

people away before they have a chance to leave him. It is a defense

mechanism”.
 Erikson’s Intimacy vs Isolation period can be described as “Young

adults seek deep intimacy and satisfying relationships, but if

unsuccessful, isolation may occur”. This stage can be applied to Will

because he met a girl named Skylar and became very intimate with her

in a short period of time, however, she was leaving to go to California

from Boston. Skylar asked Will to move with her, but Will using his

defense mechanism of displacement begins yelling at her, saying he does

not love her and pushes her away and begins to isolate himself from her.

 There are many other influences throughout the movie that impact the

main character, Will Hunting. One example of an influence from society

is Will’s lack of a college degree. Erikson’s Theory of Development can

be applied to this feeling by using Stage 4: Industry vs Inferiority. This

stage is a social stage, meaning if we experience unresolved feelings of

inadequacy and inferiority among our peers, we can have serious

problems in terms of competence and self-esteem. This stage is shown in

a scene at a bar with a conversation between Will and a guy named

Clark. It is let out that even though Will is very smart, he does not have

a college degree. Clark then proceeds to talk about how he can’t wait to

see Will in a few years serving food to his family at a fast-food

restaurant. Clark is seen as the society at this point. He implied that just

because Will did not or was not going to have a college degree that he

would not go anywhere in life.

 • The particular stage of Erikson’s theory that resonates with Will’s

character is the “Identity vs. Role Confusion” stage, which occurs during

adolescence. This stage explores the fundamental question of who one is

and where one is going in life. For Will, this stage is fraught with

challenges stemming from his troubled past and abusive upbringing in

South Boston. In the early scenes of the movie, Will’s identity is closely

tied to his defensive and rebellious demeanor. Growing up as an orphan

and moving through a series of foster homes, he has developed a tough

exterior as a defense mechanism. This defensive posture is a

manifestation of his unresolved psychosocial crisis, reflecting a sense of

confusion about his identity and place in the world. Will’s exceptional

intellect becomes a crucial aspect of his identity, but it is also a source of

conflict. He works as a janitor at the Massachusetts Institute of

Technology (MIT) but remains detached from academic pursuits. His

reluctance to embrace his intellectual potential stems from a fear of

failure and a deep-seated belief that he doesn't deserve a better life.

 • As the movie progresses, Will begins to confront his past traumas

and reevaluate his sense of self. The supportive relationships he forms,

particularly with his friends and Dr. Maguire, become instrumental in

his identity development. The resolution of the psychosocial crisis is not

instantaneous but unfolds gradually as Will allows himself to trust and

connect with others.

  • In the end, Will Hunting emerges from the "Identity vs. Role

Confusion" stage with a clearer sense of self and purpose. The film

suggests that, through genuine human connections and introspection,

individuals can overcome the challenges posed by their socio-cultural-

historical context. Erikson's theory provides a lens through which we

can appreciate the depth of Will's character development, showcasing

the transformative power of resolving identity crises within the context

of one's life journey.

III. John Bowlby's Attachment Theory:

Attachment theory emphasizes the importance of early relationships in shaping an

individual's emotional and social development. Bowlby's theory suggests that a secure
attachment to a caregiver provides a foundation for healthy interpersonal relationships
later in life. Will's difficult childhood and lack of a stable caregiver contribute to his
challenges in forming secure attachments. His defensive mechanisms, emotional
guardedness, and fear of intimacy can be traced back to early experiences of
inconsistent caregiving. The therapeutic relationship with Dr. Sean Maguire serves as
a corrective emotional experience, allowing Will to develop a more secure
attachment.

IV. Lawrence Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development:

Kohlberg's theory of moral development posits that individuals progress through

distinct stages of moral reasoning, from pre-conventional to post-conventional. Each
stage represents a different level of ethical understanding and decision-making. Will's
moral development is evident in his attitudes towards authority, justice, and personal
responsibility. His initial defiance of societal norms reflects a pre-conventional stage,
driven by personal consequences. Through interactions with Dr. Maguire, Will
undergoes moral growth, moving towards a post-conventional stage where he begins
to consider broader ethical principles and a sense of social responsibility.

In summary, Erikson's Psychosocial Development Theory, Bowlby's Attachment Theory, and

Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development provide comprehensive frameworks for understanding
the complexities of Will Hunting's character development in "Good Will Hunting." These
theories shed light on his struggles with identity, attachment issues, and moral reasoning,
offering valuable insights into the psychological dimensions of his journey.

Works Cited
Essay About Analysis of Good Will Hunting. (n.d.). Retrieved from Bartleby Research:

https://www.bartleby.com/essay/Analysis-of-Good-Will-Hunting-PKJZXM23VJ