3 Domains of Human Development

American Beauty

*Kevin Spacey as Lester Burnham (husband and father)

3 Domains of Human Development

Cognitive Conflict:

The first character as seen on the first part, he has a problem with the way he thinks about himself. Since his boss and his wife always scold and nag at him, h had put with his mind that he's stupid and failure. He always feels down because of hi insecurities. He's also more on fantasy. As it shown on the movie, he fantasizes Angela, the best friend of his daughter. He became obsessed with her and dreams about her almost all the time.

Physical Conflict:

He was a typical type of husband and at the same time a father who works hard for his family. When troubles came, which are his relationship with his wife and daughter started to change and he became obsessed with Angela, he decided to change and engaged to some physical activities (working out) that he thinks would make him a better man.

Psychosocial Conflict:

His family used to be happy then. When the years passed, his relationship with his wife changed. It made him sexually frustrated and it made him more aggressive. He also decided to resign with his first job and applied in a simple fast food which he thinks would make him satisfied.

*Annette Bening as Carolyn (wife and mother)

3 Domains of Human Development

Cognitive Conflict:

The character used to be a jolly woman. As she goes on with her life, she thinks that she had an unsuccessful marriage with her husband. She became frustrated. Her frustrations disturbed her mind.

Physical Conflict:

She's a devoted worker. She's into a real estate business. She always wanted things to be perfect. Because of the problems, she became exhausted and it leads her to do unawful things.

Psychosocial Conflict:

Carolyn is very emotional. She always cries her heart out to lessen her burdens. She's weak. Not having a good relationship with her husband caused her to mingle and had a relationship with her friend whom she found happiness that she can't feel with her husband Lester.

*Thora Birch as Jane (daughter)

3 Domains of Human Development

Cognitive Conflict:

On the first part of the story, her father introduced her as a typical teenager. She's confused, insecure and feels discontented. She knows how to handle problems with herself and her family.

Physical Conflict:

Jane is an active student at school. She's also engaged into activities that usually most teenagers do like smoking and going out with friends until late night.

Psychosocial Conflict:

Her relationship with her parents wasn't good. She feels unloved. She thinks that not being involved with their arguments would make her better. Jane is easy to influence since she's weak and dependent. Later part of the story shows that her relationship with her bestfriend Angela also became unawful because of her dad's feeling towards her friend. It made her more attached with her boyfriend.

Theories of Human Development

*Generating Vs. Self Absorption: (Erick Erickson)

It's applicable with the three characters. Because of individual's needs, anxieties, insecurities and problems, they encountered problems with their families.

*Psychoanalytic Theory: (Sigmund Freud)

Superego. The three characters strive for perfection rather than reality.