John Forbes Nash, Jr., or John Nash, as he is commonly known, was an American mathematics from Bluefield, West Virginia. He won the Nobel Prize for Economics for 1994 for his “mathematics for game theory”. He worked on this work since 1950s. Once he proved this theory to be true, it was used as a major study in economics. John Nash’s work was recognized as a mathematical genius. In 1959, however, he developed paranoid schizophrenia. His intelligence and work inspired the Oscar-winning film, “A Beautiful Mind.”
John Nash’s character, who played the lead in the film had an intriguing personality. Nash was intelligent and a genius but he had a hard time interacting with others. In the university, Nash was too busy solving math equations to have a good time with his fellow students. Nash said in the film that people didn’t seem to like him. Nash became discouraged after hearing about students who published their own work, but he was unable to find a subject for his doctorate.
He came up with an idea that was so brilliant, it took him years to perfect. John Nash, who was a university colleague of Nash’s, said that Nash had patience. This patience allowed him to be recognized for his work. Nash initially feared social interaction, but he made friends eventually. He was only attached to two people: his wife Alicia Herman and Charles Herman.
Adler’s personality theory may help explain John Nash. He became aggressive in some scenes of the movie because he was not able to satisfy his desire to achieve or excel. Nash developed delusions because he wanted to be the first person to think of an original idea. This led him later in life, to become violent. Kelly’s concept of personal constructs can explain John Nash’s actions. Kelly was of the opinion that alternate interpretations were always possible and Nash behaved according to Nash’s own interpretation. In his paranoia, Nash ran because he thought Russian spies were chasing him.
John Nash, the protagonist of the movie, is a good example of Maslow’s hierarchy. This theory states that there are certain things people want to accomplish. Basic needs include food, shelter and water. John Nash, it seems, had no shortage of any of the physiological needs. Hence he was forced to move up to the level of safety. Nash is shown working in the Pentagon to decipher codes for the federal government. He fell in Love with Alicia. Thinking about marriage, he decided to leave his job. The doctor brought him to the medical center, but he was afraid of the doctor, believing that he was a Russian agent (Milnor).
John Nash became afraid of his own life when he began to believe that he was being pursued because he had quit his work. It was a different case from others. John Nash’s delusions made him believe that someone would harm him. He believed he was being watched by someone and that the Russians would lock him up to stop him doing his work.
His paranoia could be explained by his desire to attain the second rung of the Hierarchy of Needs. Nash says in his Autobiography that his mental problems began when his pregnant wife was born. This led him to seek treatment in the hospital. The fear for his wife could have caused his mental disorders. The behaviour of the man shows that he is concerned about his wife’s safety as well.
Charles Herman’s doctor discovered that he had been living with an imaginary roommate. Nash’s doctor discovered that Nash did not have a roommate at Princeton University. Charles Herman was not enrolled there. Herman sat in the waiting room when Nash arrived at the hospital. Nash mistakenly believed it was because of his “prodigal housemate”.
Nash’s need for love and belonging was shown by his imaginary roommate. Nash was bullied by his classmates, especially his rival. Nash would lock himself in his bedroom and write Mathematical equations on the window. Charles, Nash’s imaginary roommate appeared. Nash was looking for someone with whom he could communicate and understand him. Nash may have needed someone encouraging him to continue with his ideas when everyone was criticizing him. Charles Herman met Nash’s need for belonging. Nash thought he finally had someone on his side who wouldn’t judge him.
Charles appeared and disappeared from Nash’s world when Nash first began teaching. Nash was sane and lucid when Charles wasn’t there, but he became mentally unstable when Charles came to visit him. Alicia satisfied Nash’s desire for belonging and love as well, having married him despite Nash’s illness and remained with him until his death. Due to his illness, it was difficult for him to reach the fourth position in the hierarchy – esteem. Fortunately, after four decades, he overcame his mental challenges. His patience allowed him to come up with an original theory, which was widely accepted. It gave him self confidence and he was able to achieve self-actualization after fulfilling all four levels of hierarchy.
Nash’s behavior can be interpreted in different ways depending on the theory that is used. According to the object-relations theory, Nash’s lack of personal contact and relationship during his childhood will be assumed by someone who uses this theory. Nash has good relationships and a typical childhood. The symptoms of his illness began to appear only after he turned 30.
These three theories are a concise way to address the relevant factors that influence John Nash’s behaviour. John Nash was motivated by Nash’s aggressiveness to keep working on the idea that he had been developing for years. It was a great way to achieve self-actualization. Kelly’s personal-contract theory could also help Nash to understand certain things. Kelly believed that interpretations of these things can be altered by looking closely at reality. Delusions and other mental disorders can be avoided if a person only considers possible outcomes and interprets the world based on what is real.
