Introduction Social- Cognitive theory believes that humans are individuals who are capable of proactively making things happen to assist in their own development (Parajes, 2002). In Good Will Hunting, Will Hunting did not believe that he was able to make a positive change in his life. Will is a prodigy, particularly in mathematics, who did not recognize his gift. He was born and raised in the slums, where he is now comfortable. He was abandoned by his parents and in and out of numerous foster homes. He experienced abuse and neglect in these homes. He was not only physically abused but also mentally and psychologically. His ability to solve complicated mathematical equations caught the eye of a professor at the university where Will
SCT helps to determine how and why an individual behaves and thinks a certain way. The main idea of social-cognitive theory is that everyone develops their own schemas based on their experiences in life. “Schemas are knowledge structures that guide and organize the processing of information” (Capuzzi & Gross, 2005). When an individual hears a song on the radio that they have never heard before, it makes sense to the individual. The individual has developed schemas has to how the music is supposed to sound (Pervin, Cervone & John, 2005). We use schemas to make sense of our chaotic environment. In Good Will Hunting, the character Will Hunting came from a difficult and harsh environment. He lived his life based on these experiences. • Character Description
Will Hunting is a young man who grew up in the slums of Boston. He went from foster home to foster home. In these homes he was abused and mistreated. He hung out with his closest friends, who are all trouble makers, below average knuckleheads. Yet, they were true and loyal to each other. Will, on the other hand, was a genius, a prodigy of math. He was determined not to let this side of him show. He stayed in and out of trouble with the law. He had no faith in himself. He possessed low self-efficacy, “a construct that reflects optimistic self- beliefs” (Lippke, Wiedemann, Ziegelman, Reuter & Schwarzer, 2009, p.522). He believed that the deprived life he