Psychoanalytic Personality Assessment TaWonnia Jackson PSY250 September 6, 2012 Loretta Harris Psychoanalytic Personality Assessment The following statements discussed will analyze the components of the psychoanalytic approach to personality. The theories of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, and Alfred Adler are compared and contrasted by research found. There will be characteristics of two theories along with descriptions of the stages to Freud’s theory, and characteristics along with Freudian's defense mechanisms. Each theorist’s had their own unique way of developing their very own theory. Sigmund Freud's theory is the psychoanalytic theory unique to a certain point and which it has developed formal models describing the ways in which individuals process information on different levels (Bornstein, 2010).
Psychoanalytical theories of personality stress the individual’s unconscious motivations which can be identified through dreams, slips of the tongue and fantasies (McCrae & Costa, 2003; 21). “The psychoanalytical theory views personality as biologically based, relatively unchangeable and determined by the need to control sexual and aggressive instincts which are unconscious in nature” (Rust & Golombok, 1989, 131). Sigmund Freud was the founder of the psychoanalytical approach to personality although many academics have expounded on his research since then (Bernstein, 2001; 125). This contrasts with the humanistic theory which was adopted by leading 20th Century psychologists Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow (Nicholas, 2008; 226). Robert Ewen suggests that
Course: Psychology of Personality Draft paper on: "Comparative analysis of basic approaches to understanding human personality: Psychodynamic theories, Behavioral and Cognitive models, and Phenomenologcial perspective" Personality development has been a major topic of interest for some of the most prominent thinkers in psychology. Our personalities make us unique, but how does personality develop? How exactly do we become who we are today? In order to answer this question, many prominent theorists developed theories to describe various steps and stages that occur on the road of personality development. The following theories focus on various aspects of personality development, including cognitive, social and moral development.
Discuss the psychodynamic model of abnormality. [12 marks] One of the most difficult tasks for those working within the field of psychology is to define abnormality. However, it is possible to try and define abnormality by using a range of models to help us, the psychodynamic model being one of them. It was Freud who developed the concept of the psychodynamic approach. The idea behind this was to use 'talking therapy' to bring past memories from the unconscious to the conscious.
Freud’s theory of psychosexual development is one of the best known throughout the world. When his name is mentioned, many have a recollection of a part of his theories. His theories have been widely debated. The main goal of this essay is to demonstrate an understanding of Freud’s theory of psychosexual development and how this theory may help us to explain, identify and understand a client’s presenting issue. In evaluating the pros and cons of psychosexual theory and helps us to understand a client’s presenting issue, I will define and consider the relationship between the Id, Ego and Superego and the way in which these are in many ways representative of earlier experiences and of those early situations and conflicts we faced.
There are different theories established by psychologists, which explain where personality originates. The highly important individual who played a role in the psychoanalysis theory was Sigmund Freud. Freud believed an individual’s personality was influenced by the unconscious, which there is no way to control. He based understanding of personality on analysis of patient’s dreams as well as his own dreams. Adler theorized that personality was motivated by the influence of society and fighting for triumph.
Although Freud was not the first person to suggest there was an unconscious part to our mind, he was the first to develop a detailed theory of how our mind operated. Freud claimed that one of three levels: conscious, preconscious and unconscious were operated by memories and other psychic influences. Freud believes that we only see and recognise a small part of ourselves and the greater part of our mind is what hold our passions, fears, deepest thoughts and more. It has been realised that the unconscious mind is full of hidden anomalies and has more control over our behaviour than what the conscious mind does. The three levels, conscious, preconscious and unconscious appear under a term used by Freud - the iceberg, which helps describe our state of mind and is the theory
Human personality is a key concept of individual differences in Psychology. There have been many different approaches to defining personality over the years however there is no accepted meaning although it has various definitions; one particular definition is quite significant: “....the dynamic organization within the individual of those psychological systems that determine his characteristic behaviour and thought” (Allport, 196) Personality theories are developed to discover issues such as why people differ from each other. The main approaches which define personality are psychoanalytical approaches (which are adopted by Freud), learning theories, cognitive theories, the trait approach, biological basis and the humanistic theories of personality. The humanistic theory is a big influence in contributing to the definition of personality. The humanistic theory of personality see’s the individual as unique and it views the world from different perspectives.
This element is innate – it is present from birth. The superego, or the morality principle, is the conscience of the mind- it understands right from wrong. It is in constant conflict with the Id, and develops during the phallic stage of psychosexual development. The third element, the Ego, acts as a mediator between the two and at times uses defence mechanisms to shield the conscious from the Id and its desires. Freud also proposed a theory he understood to be the “structure of the mind”.
Level 2 Describe key elements of Psychodynamic, Humanistic and Cognitive behaviour approaches of counselling. Psychodynamic approach This therapy originates from the work of Sigmund Freud (1856 – 1939) which believes that personality is greatly influenced by the unconscious mind and childhood experiences. His theory also believes that the personality is made up of three parts: id (instinctual drives, needs and urges), ego (intermediates between id and real world), superego (internal authority, morals, ideals). This type of therapy tends to be long term and considers the therapist as the expert to the patient (not client). Key aspects of psycho dynamic therapy are dream interpretation and transference that is when feelings from previous significant relationships are projected on to the therapist.