Breaking Dawn (part 1)

 If you've not read the book/seen the movie you might not want to read this - SPOILER ALERT!

Black Swan

I am in fact talking about the recent movie with Natalie Portman.


I recently watched the movie and thought it wasn't half bad. Although it was often rather psychologically disturbing and dramatic, as I am sure was intended.
The movie tells the story of a ballerina desperately wanted to play the part of the Swan Queen in a new production of Swan Lake. Of course she does get the part but along with it come some peculiar events - or so it seems - start happening.
She is faced not only with the pressure of playing the lead in a ballet but also peer pressure, her mother, and most importantly her self. She is so determined to be perfect that in fact this ends up being her hamartia (her tragic flaw) which in the end actually kills her. 
The production requires Nina (Natalie Portman) to play both the innocent and virginal White Swan as well as the sensual seductress that is the Black Swan. Nina is the perfect candidate for the role of Odette, the Swan Queen, with her precise movements and innocence; it'd the part of Odile, the dark and sensual twin Nina has trouble adapting to. Although when Nina is introduced to Lily, a new found dark side starts to appear in Nina. Also Nina's feelings for the Director, Thomas Leroy, become apparent as the film progresses.

The Attachment Theory

Attachment is an emotional bond to another person. John Bowlby came up with the theory, describing as a  "lasting psychological connectedness between human beings."
The core of attachment theory is the bond between mother and child. First based on an observation of baby monkeys and their mother but has since had an enormous influence on human child-rearing techniques.
Attachment theory states that we are all social beings with an innate need for intimacy. The security of such intimacy first appears in the shape of our mothers. If the mothers (or representative mothers, i.e. carers) are available and responsive to their infant's needs they will establish a sense of security. The infant knows that the mother is dependable, which which in turn creates a secure base for the child to then explore the world.
There are 4 characteristics of Attachment Theory:

1. Safe Haven - that is, whenever the child feels threatened or scared they can return to their mother for comfort.
2. Secure Base - a secure and dependable base is provided for the child by it's mother to explore the world.
3. Proximity Maintenance - the child will want to say near it's mother to stay safe
4. Separation Distress - when separated from the mother the child will become distressed and upset.

The securely attached child will then explore the world and the strangers within it and greet it's mother with affection. However, and insecurely attached child could be clingy, afraid to explore and meet new people. The insecurely attached child may be indifferent about his/her mother or angry at her.
Thanks to psychologists like John Bowlby mothers can now sleep alongside their babies in hospitals. Thus, children as saved from emerging with feelings of abandonment which could undermine their mother-child bonds then as well as in later life.

Hello xD

Hey fellow bloggers, my name is Annie. I'm 18 and have lived in good old England for the past 12 odd years and this is my amateur psychological blog. I will post my interpretations of anything from books/novels to songs and just general fiction. I will also made posts on some random and/or interesting psychological facts. So watch this space :)

Hope you enjoy. x