Rocky Balboa’s journey of self-concept: A study of real self and ideal self in Rocky (1976)

Abstrak

This study aims to analyze Rocky Balboa’s journey of self-concept by Carl Rogers theory, focusing of his real self and ideal self in the film Rocky (1976). The film portrays Rocky Balboa as an underdog boxer who lives a modest life and is given an opportunity to prove his personal value through a big fight. This study seeks to explore how Rocky’s real self and ideal self are constructed and developed throughout the film. This research employed a descriptive qualitative method. The primary data were obtained from the film Rocky (1976) and its official script, while the secondary data were derived from relevant books and journals related to Rogers’ theory. The data were collected through watching the film, reading the script, identifying significant dialogues, and classifying them based on the concepts of real self and ideal self. The findings reveal that Rocky’s real self is reflected through his actualizing tendency, as seen in his effort to maximize his potential despite limitations; positive regard, shown through the support and acceptance from people around him; and self-regard, reflected in his self-perception shaped by past experiences. Meanwhile, his ideal self is represented through striving, as shown in his determination to “go the distance”; ambition, reflected in his desire to prove he is not “a bum”; and self-worth, demonstrated in his ability to define success based on his own standards. Overall, this study shows that Rocky’s journey represents a meaningful process of self-development in line with Rogers’ humanistic perspective.