The Budding Relationship

The budding relationship between Will and Sean begins with simply a therapist-patient dynamic, but over the course of the film develops into a close friendship. Though their relationship is rather short in comparison to the typical close relationship from a social psychology standpoint, the characteristics of a long-term friendship are still in place. Close friends typically act more modestly about their skills and achievements with one another, and Will displays considerably more humility when conversing with Sean than he does with others. With his past therapists and even his peers, Will does not shy away from boastfully utilizing or talking about his intellect – but with Sean, he is more open to having a genuine conversation and even becoming emotionally vulnerable toward the later stages of their therapy sessions. Will is clearly more open about his feelings with Sean than anybody …show more content…
Both Will and Sean are extremely intelligent, and though Sean comes nowhere close to the uncanny level of intellect that Will possesses, Will still acknowledges Sean’s intelligence and ability to challenge Will’s vast knowledge of various topics. Finally, Sean and Will have both experienced rough upbringings riddled with abuse and neglect. This is likely the best reason for the development of their relationship – Will can relate to the abuse Sean received from his father because he suffered cruelty as well in foster care. Will and Sean perceive themselves to be similar when it comes to these experiences, and in turn their relationship flourishes. The dynamic between Sean and Will is a fantastic example of social psychological principles by showcasing the factors that lead to the development of friendships as well as how they