Psychodynamic Personality Theories Module 56

Psychodynamic Theories Neo-Freudians Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, Karen Horney (Horn-eye) Emphasize the importance of childhood and the unconscious Downplay Freud’s emphasis on the importance of aggressive and sexual impulses INSTEAD focusing on social and cultural influences of childhood

Carl Jung Focused on the unconscious Personal unconscious Storehouse of all our own past memories Influence our attitudes and associations that act as driving forces

Carl Jung Collective Unconscious Set of inherited images and experiences common to all humans throughout evolutionary time Archetypes Images that allow individuals to respond universally to particular situations Shadow – “dark side” of all humans Persona – front or mask that a person presents to other people Wise old man, mother, hero, quest

Carl Jung Identification of several personality types based on general attitudes and perceptions of the world Extroversion – confident, social & externally focused Introversion – internally focused, more self-conscious, less social, and quiet

Alfred Adler Focused on how social interactions and conscious thought influence overall individual growth Striving for superiority One’s failures serve to motivate them to overcome difficulty Finding personal fulfillment and overcoming challenges NOT power

Alfred Adler Inferiority complex When one has constant criticism and repeated failure happens causing one to feel helpless and insecure Can become socially isolated and fearful Can develop an exaggerated competitive and aggressive nature

Alfred Adler Birth Order Research showed unique set of challenges presented by these different positions in the family Created particular personality traits Oldest – protective, responsible Middle – ambitious, well-adjusted Youngest - spoiled

Karen Horney Culture plays an important role in personality development Just so NO to penis envy – instead girls have desire for the social power and status that men enjoy Personality development depends on the fulfillment of security provided through social interaction

Karen Horney Basic anxiety Feelings of helplessness, loneliness, and fear created by the fact that a child is alone in a hostile world Personality development is based largely on the social interaction between parent and child