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).
What follows is an outline of Freud’s theory of psychodynamics, and a description of the biological perspective on personality. Next appears an investigation of the similarities and differences between these theories and their implications. These two
He also linked some childhood desires with the development of ones personality. The psychoanalytic theory is founded on the basis that there are inner forces that influence ones behavior unconsciously. This theory was developed after a thorough observation of people’s behavior where Sigmund conducted case studies. Feud argued that human mind can be divided three parts; the conscious mind, the preconscious mind and the unconscious mind. According to Asch M (2004), the conscious mind includes the things that we are aware of.
The second concept, coming out of C.G. Jung's analytical psychology, describes the process in which the individual Self develops out of an undifferentiated unconscious. It is a developmental, psychical process, the process whereby the innate elements of personality, the different experiences of a person's life and the different aspects and components of the immature psyche become integrated over time into a well-functioning whole. [citation needed] There is a region where the two could be said to blur into each other, but it is important to recognize that they are in fact speaking of two different (though related) things. [citation needed] According to Jungian psychology, individuation is a process of psychological integration, having for its goal the development of the individual personality.
The psychodynamic perspective says that our behaviors and feelings as adults are deeply rooted from our childhood experiences. According to this view, our personality is made up of three parts: the id, ego, and super-ego. Also, behaviors are motivated by two instinctual drives: Euros and Thanatos (McLeod). The id, ego, and superego are proposed by Freud as “stages which play an important role in how we interact with the world”(Heffner). The id, being the first stage, is more concerned with having basic needs met.
Psychodynamic Theories Introduction goes here. Key Figures Sigmund Freud The father of psychoanalysis, Freud based his theories on the unconscious mind, infantile sexuality and the Oedipal complex, and repression. In addition, he proposed a three-part psychological structure in the Id, considered the pleasure principle, Ego, also known as the reality principle, and Superego, which is the internalized moral principle. According to Thornton (2010), “Freud’s innovative treatment of human actions, dreams, and indeed of cultural artifacts as invariably possessing implicit symbolic significance has proven to be extraordinarily fruitful, and has had massive implications for a wide variety of fields including psychology, anthropology, semiotics, and artistic creativity and appreciation” (para 2). Alfred Adler In 1911, Alfred Adler formed the school of Individual Psychology as a reaction to the hostile response he received from members of the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society.
Finally, other psychoanalytical concepts will be discussed. Sigmund Freud was the founder of psychosexual and psychoanalytic theory. His psychosexual theory states that erogenous zones differ at various times throughout development (Cervone, & Pervin, 2010). The first stage is the oral stage which sensual gratification focuses on the mouth (Cervone, & Pervin, 2010). The second stage is the anal stage which Freud believed there is an enjoyment in the anus and in the movement of feces through the anal canal (Cervone, & Pervin, 2010).
Freud believed the personality consisted of three interworking parts the id, ego, and superego. He believed that they become joined as a child works through the five stages psychosexual development. Freud believed that the Id the largest part of the mind controlled desires and impulses and was the main source of basic needs. He believed that the ego and controlled reasoning. The ego controls behavior and does this to avoid negative consequences.
Wundt’s structuralism approach wanted to recognize the building blocks, or the structure, of the psychological functioning. Structuralism focused on uncovering the fundamental mental components of perception, consciousness, thinking, emotions, and other kinds of mental states and activities. In addition, structuralism relied on the method called introspection, which was utilized by Wundt and colleagues like student Edward Titchener. Introspection is the process used to explore human mental function as they complete assorted tasks. These psychologists’ primary interest lied in how individuals processed sensory stimuli.
Second the social unconscious, Freud’s superego, which can broken down into two aspects: conscience and ego ideal. The conscience deals with the internalization of punishments and warnings. The superego can be considered as such things as our culture and native language. These things we have grown up with and have become second nature. Third, personal unconscious, would involve habits that we have obtained, tasks that we no longer think about doing, and defense