It also suggests issues Norman has in coming to terms with his own sexuality that, quite thankfully, do not apply to me personally.
Conclusion
There can be little doubt of Norman Bates' diagnosis with a dissociative identity disorder; the behaviors and beliefs he exhibit are near-textbook examples of the disturbance (Myers 2009). His relationship with his mother is never explicitly detailed, though it was obviously an unhealthy one, and the events of his upbringing seem to have led almost inevitably to the chain of events that unfolds during the action of the film. This is often the way that psychological disorders work, especially those that are the result of long-term trauma and abuse; the personality is set up in the developmental stages of life and continues basically unaltered throughout adulthood....
The exact cause and nature of this psychological issue are left unanswered, though not unaddressed, in Psycho, which is what makes the film such a successful blend of suspenseful fiction and scientific truth. The disturbing nature of Bates' personality is sure to engage audiences for generations to come. A psychological understanding of Norman Bates disorders and specific personality traits is certainly interesting and edifying, but it is non-essential or even necessarily recommended for the enjoyment of the film. The story is a fiction, and it is best enjoyed from the perspective of simple human compassion, understanding, and thrill seeking.
References
Hitchcock, a. (1960). Psycho. Shamley Productions.
Myers, D. (2009). Psychology in everyday life. New York: Worth Publishers.
