Psychological phenomena in "Forrest Gump"

I. Q． and "Forrest Gump"

--Selected from "The World of Trance"

Intelligence refers to the effectiveness of all aspects of an individual's mental functions, and specifically refers to a person's ability to understand , learning and recall abilities as well as thinking and reasoning abilities. Since these abilities cannot be assessed or measured directly, one can only infer a person's level of intelligence by evaluating the individual's behavior in different fields. Therefore, psychologists do not agree on the definition of intelligence, nor do they agree on the number of measurable factors of intelligence.

At first, people thought that intelligence was the innate ability of the brain, and it was a sign that distinguished highly evolved animals from lower animals, geniuses from ordinary people. But now scientists believe that although the development of intelligence is partly determined by genetics, it is mainly determined by the stimulating or inhibiting factors in the environment in which the individual grows.

In addition, some people believe that intelligence is a unique or overall characteristic of thinking. But experiments have shown that at least some of the many factors included in intelligence can be distinguished, such as language, space, memory and reasoning abilities. Therefore, it is better to think of intelligence as a complex of many highly differentiated, overlapping skills rather than as a single talent.

Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget had a completely different view of intelligence. He emphasized that children's mental development has different stages, with each stage gradually increasing in complexity and rationality. Piaget not only measured intelligence, but also explored the limitations and growth of children's thinking.

Nowadays, intelligence level is generally assessed through intelligence tests. Intelligence testing is an ability test in psychological testing. Psychometric testing is a method of measuring differences between individuals. It predicts or determines future behavior by evaluating an individual's response. Ability testing measures an individual's language or operational skills. The standard is the average level of ordinary people.

In 1905, French psychologist Binet was the first to use developmental scales to predict learning potential. This scale includes some small tasks to test intelligent thinking, which are conducted individually through conversations. Corresponding tasks are arranged according to the child's mental age, and then scored. The ratio of mental age to physiological age is the IQ "1. Q． 》. Later, Terman of Stanford University in the United States expanded the scale based on its translation and standardized it according to age gradient, forming the Stanford-Bine scale that we are familiar with today. In 1939, psychologist David Wechsler, who worked at Bellevue Hospital in New York, published the first edition of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, which included 11 test items, 6 for language and 5 for operations. Results are judged based on a language score, a performance score and an overall score. Updated versions of these two scales remain the primary tools for measuring intelligence in children and adults.

In 1917, the U.S. Army adopted group intelligence testing, which can measure the intelligence of a group of people at the same time through questionnaires. Later, many of these similar assays were revised. Used by educational and employment institutions. The average IQ standard for these measurements is 100 points, regardless of age. People with impaired mental development can have IQs as low as 40 and those with extremely high intelligence can have IQs as high as 160.

IQ is not a constant value. Although the development level of infants can already be measured, it is only possible to predict the intellectual status of adults if IQ is measured after the age of 5. From the age of 12, IQ is basically the same as that of adults. The intelligence level is consistent, but there is still the possibility of large fluctuations. It should be pointed out that when using IQ to predict academic performance or daily life abilities, special caution is needed, because in addition to intelligence, academic performance is at least related to interests, family support and education quality, while career success is more related to personality, opportunities and professional skills. for related.

Twins raised by different families have relatively similar IQs, which shows that genetic factors play a decisive role. On the other hand, much evidence shows that children living in a highly impoverished environment develop quite rapidly intellectually once they are transferred to a stimulating environment. The most effective stimulation includes play, conversation and interaction between mother and child. Improvements in maternal and child health and nutritional levels also play a role. Of course, this does not mean that the way to make children smart is that simple. For example, extracurricular tutoring will not have a lasting effect, and training children in skills to cope with intelligence tests can only improve IQ. The score does not change the overall intelligence level. Therefore, intelligence tests, especially group tests, often yield incorrect results and are misleading.

However, if both genetic and environmental influences are noted and performed and interpreted by trained experts, the assay still has some predictive and diagnostic value.

What is currently controversial is whether intelligence tests reflect an individual’s genetics or innate talents, or their upbringing, social background and education. The original purpose of intelligence testing was to measure an individual's potential, regardless of cultural background, money or power. But today, intelligence tests measure more of an individual's achievements (such as the quantity and quality of tasks completed) rather than their ability tendencies (such as their learning potential). In this way, children who do not have the opportunity to express themselves are at a disadvantage. status, some critics argue that intelligence testing has become a tool for discriminating against lower-class or poor children. Both of these views are supported by strong research. American comedy film "I. Q． 》 also explored this.

《1. Q． "The story takes place in Princeton, New Jersey in the early 1950s. Physicist Catherine and car mechanic Ed fell in love at first sight, and were matched by her uncle. Her uncle was the famous physicist Einstein, who was teaching at Princeton University at the time. Ed is a self-taught inventor who likes to play with machinery. Although he has not read for a few years, he is already thinking about the relationship between cold fusion and nuclear-powered spacecraft. Catherine's mate choice was based on IQ, and she vacillated between her original boyfriend James, an experimental psychologist at Princeton University, and Ed. But Einstein fell in love with Ed and thought he was considerate. So he wrote a love letter on his behalf and gave him one of his early papers, asking him to pretend to be a physicist and attend an international conference. The paper was an instant success, and Ed was hailed as a genius. James was dissatisfied and tested Ed's IQ in public, with a score of 186. Of course, this was the result of Einstein's instructions behind his back. Catherine announces that she is marrying Ed, while James tries to prove that Ed is a liar. President Eisenhower visited the university and hoped that Ed would join the cold fusion rocket development program. James called Ed's paper plagiarism at the press conference, but Einstein stepped in and saved the day. At the end of the film, Einstein and his colleagues warned everyone not to let their minds interfere with their feelings.

"I.Q." was filmed in 1994, directed by Fred Shebisi, starring Tim Robbins and Meg Ryan, who played opposite each other very well, and Walter Matto played Einstein. The soundtrack is by Jerry Goldsmith, a famous Hollywood composer who is extremely prolific. He has scored countless blockbuster films such as "Patton", "Secret of N.I.", "Coma", and "Sleeping with the Enemy". "The Biography of Freud", "Shock Therapy", "Pain and Ecstasy", "Psychopath II" and "Instinct" mentioned in the book are also his works. Another major event related to IQ happened in 1994, which was "Forrest Gump". This year, "Forrest Gump" swept most of the Academy Awards, received rave reviews from all walks of life, and became the third most profitable blockbuster in history. Major newspapers and magazines around the world published editorials on this. The original film has become a best-seller, many lines have become popular mottos, and Forrest Gumpism has become a philosophy of life that people advocate. "Forrest Gump" has become a popular cultural phenomenon. Its success was world-class news in 1994, but the film itself was not outstanding.

Although "Forrest Gump" has the form of an epic film, it lacks real depth and excitement; it has the gimmicks of a satirical film, but it lacks a consistent stance; it has historical reflections The appearance of the film, but lacks sharp criticality. To paraphrase a sentence from the script, "Forrest Gump" is not a smart film, but it understands what love is. Actor Tom Hanks plays the mentally retarded protagonist in the film, winning the love of hundreds of millions of viewers. Movies have never shown a person like Forrest Gump before, and even if they did, they would probably fall into clichés, so "Forrest Gump" can be said to be unprecedented. "Forrest Gump" is a comedy, which can be said to be a piece of history, or a dream. Eric Roth's script has the complexity of a modern novel without the formula of a modern movie. The protagonist Forrest Gump is a very upright man with an IQ of only 75. He experienced all the major events in American history during the turbulent thirty years from the 1950s to the 1980s. He survived these changes with nothing but honesty and decency to protect himself.

People with IQs of 70-84 are classified as borderline mental retardation in taxonomy. Most of these patients appear to be in good health and do not have the special facial features, language, etc. that are common in people with low IQs. Ability and understanding are still acceptable, but abstract thinking ability is reduced, breadth, depth and agility of thinking are poor, and advanced and complex mental work cannot be completed. According to their personality and temperament characteristics, they can be roughly divided into two categories: stable and unstable. Unstable people are often restless, constantly on their hands and feet, lack self-awareness, and are easily disliked or teased. The stable type, that is, the Forrest Gumps, are generally quiet, obedient, easy to receive education, can master certain labor skills, work and study honestly, and are easy to get sympathy and care from others. Moreover, because they are not good at opportunism, their work is worse than those of others. Others are solid. Borderline mental retardation is not included in the international classification, but is included in the Chinese classification.

However, the film is not a heart-warming story about a mentally retarded person. This classification is too limited to accommodate a blockbuster film like "Forrest Gump." It's more like a reflection on our times through the eyes of a less cynical pragmatist. After getting to know Forrest Gump, the audience will understand why being too smart is looked down upon. Forrest Gump's intelligence is just right. The film is filled with hilarious laughs and silent truths, and the actors' performances maintain a gripping balance between comedy and pathos. Tom Hanks is probably the only actor suitable for this role. After seeing how he portrayed Forrest Gump as a man of such dignity and courage, we can't imagine anyone else taking on this important role. Indeed, portraying the integrity of human beings is Tom Hanks' specialty. Whether it is the widowed father suffering from insomnia in "Sleepless in Seattle" or the gay man suffering from AIDS in "Philadelphia", the characters he plays can always Facing difficulties makes your life more meaningful than ordinary people. Forrest Gump is simple-minded but good-natured. He is willing to tell his story to everyone who wants to hear it while waiting at a bus stop in Savannah, Georgia. Forrest Gump was born in Greenburg, Alabama in the 1940s, with a low IQ. His mother ran a boarded-up apartment and was strong-willed. She cared for him wholeheartedly and refused to send him to a special education class, lest it be more detrimental to him. In order to correct Forrest Gump's severe scoliosis, she put leggings on him, but never criticized his ideas. When others scolded him for being stupid, she said to him: "Stupid people just do stupid things." Forrest Gump couldn't do anything difficult, but when his leggings were taken off, he ran like flying . On the first day of school, A-Gump made friends with Jenny, allowing Jenny to temporarily escape her father's physical and sexual abuse of her. One day, local gangsters threw stones at Forrest Gump. Jenny told Forrest Gump to run away. Forrest Gump took off his leggings and ran away like flying.

A few years later, Scud Forrest Gump joined the football team and entered college with a sports scholarship. This joke would be repeated again and again, often bringing him good luck throughout his life. Forrest Gump became an All-American football star and was received by President Kennedy at the White House. After graduating from college, Forrest Gump joined the army and became a model soldier. He is the best friend of black Bubba, who is also from the South and has low intelligence but a good heart. He dreams of owning a shrimp boat. They went to Vietnam together and became the subordinates of Lieutenant Dann. Dann's ancestors participated in the Communist Party and died in various American wars. During an attack, Forrest Gump saved most of the team, but Bubba died in his arms, and Lieutenant Dane also lost his legs. A-Gump learned to play table tennis while recuperating in a military hospital. After returning to China, he taught other veterans in the hospital how to play table tennis to encourage their rustic spirit. President Johnson later awarded him the Medal of Honor. Forrest Gump often reunited with Jenny throughout his life, and Jenny's life path was completely different from Forrest Gump. After giving a speech at a large anti-war rally led by Abby Hoffman, Forrest briefly reunited with Jenny, who was now a bastard. The lovers went their separate ways again. Forrest Gump met Lieutenant Dane in New York. Dane was sitting in a wheelchair, passive and resentful, and they were both in trouble. There was some unpleasantness between them, but they were still good friends. Forrest Gump joined the table tennis team to visit China, marking the beginning of détente. Forrest Gump also met Nixon. A-Gump bought a shrimp boat in memory of Bubba, and a storm made his business prosper; he also bought shares in Apple Computer Company, although he only knew it was a fruit company. Forrest Gump's wealth continued to grow through lucky investments, while Jenny was abusing drugs in California, which was tantamount to a slow suicide.

After Forrest Gump's mother died of cancer, Forrest Gump returned to Greenburg, and Jenny also came back. They fell in love, but she left again soon. Forrest Gump decided to go wandering and ended up walking across the United States. During his three-year journey, he sparked a nationwide jogging trend. After returning to Fort Greene, A-Gump received a letter from Jenny, inviting him to Savannah, Georgia. A-Gump found that Jenny had changed and was focusing on raising their children. The lovers finally got married. They lived happily in Fort Greene, but soon Jenny died of an unknown viral infection. Forrest Gump continues to be a dedicated single father. As a personified symbol of the American national character, Forrest Gump is upright, honest, tolerant, kind, and loyal, and combines traditional virtues. His life represents the mainstream of American society, while Jenny is weak-willed and lacks self-control, representing the counterculture. trend. Her beautiful body hides a tortured heart. She dropped out of school, took drugs, participated in anti-war demonstrations, stayed in love hotels, and dealt with drugs and syringes. Forrest Gump and Jenny represent all the milestones in contemporary American cultural history, and their eventual reconciliation symbolizes the dream of compromise in American society. Forrest Gump takes the audience's hand and walks into the smoke of history, allowing them to relive the stumbling years of the past from a new perspective through his eyes, communicate with them ideologically, and thus remove the heavy moral burden. , obtain spiritual sublimation. Vietnam War veteran and psychiatrist W. Bud Edwards believes that "Forrest Gump" has a comforting effect on Vietnam War survivors.

Despite its limitations, "Forrest Gump" still packs a punch, thanks to Tom Hanks' masterful acting and a series of historic sequences crafted by the computer artists at Industrial Optics & Special Effects. The scene is unprecedentedly realistic. Director Robert Zemeckis is deeply familiar with the magic of stunts, having directed "Back to the Future" and "Who Framed Roger Rabbit." The film uses computer image processing technology to place Forrest Gump in some historical occasions with real people, such as Forrest Gump standing at the gate of the University of Alabama with Governor George Wallace, and Forrest Gump teaching Elvis Presley Twisting his butt, Forrest Gump visited the White House three times, and Forrest Gump spoke at a peace rally in Washington during the Vietnam War era. Stunts were also used to create the character of Lieutenant Dane. Dane lost his legs and looked real, reminding people of Ron Kovic, the protagonist of "Born on the Fourth of July." Zemeckis carefully selected and re-dubbed segments of the TV documentary to recreate some hilarious scenes, such as President Johnson examining the gash on Forrest Gump's butt. The most outrageous joke in the film is when Nixon asked Forrest to stay in Washington and suggested that he live in the Watergate Apartments. Although there had been precedents for fictional protagonists appearing on the same stage as real historical figures in "Citizen Kane" and "Chameleon," "Forrest Gump" represented a technological breakthrough, and fortunately it was Far less thoughtful than the glossy first two films, "Forrest Gump" seems as simple-minded as its protagonist.

Even if "Forrest Gump" can be regarded as an epic film, it is also a very superficial epic. For example, its view of the Vietnam War is not based on real historical memories, but is pieced together from some of the most famous Vietnam War films using scenes familiar to the audience. In fact, when the director reproduces the time and place of each era, he does not rely on visual perception, but only achieves it through sound; once the representative music that expresses a certain era is inserted, half of the director's task is completed. The various characters are also hastily sketched. The unexplained parts of Jenny's experience are copied from various historical events in the 1960s, which can be traced back to widely known childhood experiences; the image of Lieutenant Dann comes from "Platoon" (With Legs) and "Born". Every July 4th" (lost legs). Winston Groom's original film contained scathing satire on racism and the military, but the film only lightly harps on it and is ambiguous about the events it depicts. Although the Communist Party and some party dignitaries praised "Forrest Gump" as a propaganda piece to restore traditional values ??and denounce the counterculture of the 1960s, in many places the film represents old-school liberalism in Hollywood: racism is wrong Yes, war is hell, assassination is despicable, and being serious is the best. This movie doesn't dare to offend anyone too much. It makes people comfortable and makes money for themselves.

In order to achieve its huge emotional power, "Forrest Gump" also caters to the more vulgar elements of American character, the most obvious of which is the distrust of intellectualism and the belief in simple-mindedness. Naive faith that brings good rewards.

Frank Capra once dismissed those who advocated similar values, but this film is more ambiguous, contradictory, and ambiguous. Zemeckis’s film can be said to have a heart but not a brain.