The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) was created to help measure the needs for power, intimacy, and achievement in regards to motivation. The motivational view I agree with the least is the psychoanalytic view. “The psychoanalytic view of human motivation suggests that behavior is ultimately determined by unconscious sexual and aggressive drives and by the complex intrapsychic conflicts that arise in daily life.” (Pinel, J.P.J. 2008. p. 299). Freud had some beliefs that I believe have been outdated and further researched since his time.
Freud believed that it was possible to link the psychosexual stages of development with adult neuroses. Freud identified that if the psychosexual stages of development where in any way interrupted at a certain time, then this would cause problems in later life. “Psychosexual development according to Freud proceeds as a series of interactions between dispositions and environment, mediated by a developing ego.” (Freud & Horney, Grossman,1986, p5) Thus, Freud stated that there were different stages of psychosexual
His work on sexuality and perversions led to the wider theory of sexuality whereby he differentiated the sexual aim (the desire for pleasure) and the object (the person or thing used to fulfil the desire). He asserted that sexuality is more than just genital copulation between adults and this work is the background to his theory on infantile sexuality. He emphasised particular erogenous zones as being of primary importance at different stages of infancy. Each stage impacts in three significant ways: physical focus where the child’s energy may be concentrated and their gratification obtained; psychologically through demands being made of the child by the outside world as he or she develops – either doing too much or not enough of what is ideal;
Freud suggested that unresolved unconscious conflicts at anal stage of psychosexual development cause fixation that eventually lead to development of obsessions and ritualistic behaviours at later life. To apply the Freudian idea to the given case study, it can be assumed that Diane’s unresolved conflicts have caused a fixation at anal stage of her development. The repressed angry thoughts expressed themselves in Diane’s behaviour resulting in anxiety and fear of stepping on the pavement cracks. From psychoanalytic point of view OCD is conceptualised in terms of constant conflict between feelings of love and hate. According to Freud, mixture of feelings of love and hate that Diane presumably felt for her mother were the results of her obsessional thoughts and fear of losing the mother, and could actually mean an unconscious wish of Diane to kill her mother.
The superego uses guilt to punish the ego if it misbehaves and rewards it with pride if does what the superego wants. If the ego does not keep the balance between the id and the super ego, Freud suggests, mental illness will occur in the individual. In the story of Hamlet, The Complete Persepolis, and The Epic of Gilgamesh, one can explore how the ego of Claudius, Marjane, and Enkidu helps form their identity. In the story of Hamlet, the character Claudius’ ego can be seen as allowing his id to be more dominate than his superego. Because Claudius wanted to be king more than anything one can assume the suppression of his id caused him to be so aggressive he killed the king.
(Klein M , 1930 p.238) That is to say, it is a theory that explains why and how childhood experience and relationships affect all relationships in the present. ’From the moment the infant starts interacting with the outer world, he is engaged in testing his phantasies in a reality setting. It wasn’t to suggest that the origin of thought lies in this process of phantasy against reality; that is, that thought is not only contracted with phantasy, but based on it and derived from it.’ (Segal, 1981, p. 45) As
The state of conscious that is most involved in controlling behavior is the ego, as it serves as the mediator between the id and the super ego. According to Freudian theory Steve would not be aware of why he interacts with women on only a sexual basis, because he is acting a lot from his unconscious id instincts. 3.) The type of Freudian psychic energy that motivates Steve’s relationships with women is libido, which can become attached to an object known
These three theories are alike because all of them starts in early childhood and continues to adulthood. They all involve mental disorders and they don’t know if it is right or wrong. It is hard for them to distinguish what is right and wrong because of what they saw or was praised for as a child. They do what they are accustomed to. These theories are different because Psychodynamic theory deals with mental disorders such as schizophrenia, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and nonschizophrenia psychotic disorders.
Psychodynamic Theories Psychodynamic theories are those propounded by Sigmund Freud, which further describe the conflict among instincts, reasons, and conscience. Although many different psychodynamic theories exist, they all emphasize unconscious motives and desires, as well as the importance of childhood experiences in shaping personality. Psychodynamic theory is a view that explains personality in terms of conscious and unconscious forces, such as unconscious desires and beliefs. Psychoanalytic Theory The psychoanalytic theory focuses on the role of experiences, the unconscious, and emotions that shape one’s personality. It is based on three main assumptions: 1.
Abstract The concept of abnormal and normal personalities is debated consistently, however this essay will examine the sense in which it is justifiable to adopt this concept. Through psychodynamic, behavioural and humanistic approaches to personality foundations it will become evident that the moulding of one’s personality begins at the very early stages of childhood. In particular, fixations during phases of psychosexual stages and their developing repercussions on the id, ego and superego are evidence within psychodynamic studies to support this claim. What constitutes an “abnormal” or a “normal” personality and to what extent each exists is an endless debate which encompasses many paradigms. However, by looking at the psychodynamic approach to personality, it is evident that not only are abnormal and normal personalities apparent, but a correlation can be seen between Freud’s psychosexual stages and an adult’s behaviour and personality as an outcome.