The Psychodynamic Perspective: Neo-Freudians

Neo-Freudians Followers of Freud’s theories but developed theories of their own in areas where they disagreed with Freud Disagreed with Freud in his belief that: 1.Behavior is motivated by sexual urges 2.Personality is formed by early childhood experiences 3.Human nature and society are inherently driven by sex and destruction.

Post-Freudian Psychodynamic Theories The Neo-Freudians Carl Jung’s collective unconscious Karen Horney’s focus on security Alfred Adler’s individual psychology

Carl Jung (Yoong)( ) Rejected Freud’s assertion that human behavior is directed by sex & aggression. Believed in general psychic energy that pushes us to grow psychologically. Believed that humans share a collective unconscious—human collective evolutionary history. –“The whole spiritual heritage of mankind’s evolution born anew in the brain structure of every individual.” Archetypes – Mental images of human instincts, themes and preoccupations that are shared by all cultures. First to describe introverts and extraverts

Jung’s Collective Unconscious Jung’s concept of a shared, inherited reservoir of memory traces/experiences from our ancestors Information everyone knows from birth Archetypes – universal symbols found in stories, myths, and art that deal with the human life cycle. (powerful father, nurturing mother, witch, wise old man, innocent child, death & rebirth, etc…) –Anima – “feminine” side every man has –Animus – “masculine” side every woman has –To achieve psychological harmony, men & women must accept these sides of the psyche.

Karen Horney (HORN-eye)( ) Believed cultural/social variables (especially parent-child relationships) are the foundation of personality development not sex like Freud. Found psychoanalysis negatively biased against women. –Women didn’t have “penis envy” it was instead that they envied men’s superior status in society. –Instead said men have “womb envy” and compensate by making creative achievements in their work.

Karen Horney Looked at anxiety related to security and social relationships, especially parent-child relationships. Basic anxiety— “the feeling of being isolated and helpless in a hostile world” Deal with this anxiety by. –Moving Toward Other People – having an excessive need for approval & affection –Moving Against Other People – having an excessive need for power over other people – Moving Away from Other People – having an excessive need for independence making them aloof and detached from others. Felt that healthy personalities are flexible in balancing these needs but unhealthy people are stuck in one of ways of dealing with anxiety.

Alfred Adler ( ) Agreed with Freud on the importance of early childhood but thought social tensions were more important than sexual tensions Believed psychological problems were the result of feelings of inferiority Inferiority Complex - A condition that comes from being unable to compensate for normal inferiority feelings

Alfred Adler Most fundamental human motive is striving for superiority Arises from universal feelings of inferiority that are experienced during childhood People compensate for their weaknesses by emphasizing their talents and abilities or by working hard to improve themselves. If unable to compensate or when feelings of inferiority are too great a inferiority complex can result where person feels inadequate, weak & helpless and are unable to try to improve. If people overcompensate for their feelings of inferiority then they develop a superiority complex where one exaggerates achievements and importance to cover up their own limitations.

Evaluating & Updating Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory

Evaluation of Psychoanalysis Evidence is inadequate— Freud’s data is developed from a small number of upper class patients or from self- analysis. (skewed sample) –All of Freud’s data was from him so was he imposing his own ideas onto his patients or seeing only what he expected to see? Theory is not testable—lack of operational definitions and no way to measure results. Good at explaining the past but not at prediction. –Many psychoanalytic concepts impossible to disprove because even contradictory information can be used to support Freud’s theory. Sexism—believed that women were weak and inferior. Used male psychology as basis for all people –Said women were more vain, masochistic, and jealous than men and influence more by their emotions and had a lesser moral and ethical sense than men.

Updating Freud’s Theory Most psychodynamic psychologists agree: –Sex is not the basis of personality. –People do not “fixate” at various stages of development. –Much of a person’s mental life is unconscious. –Childhood experiences shape us socially and psychologically. –People struggle with inner conflicts and regulating their impulses, emotions and thoughts toward what society deems acceptable.

Humanistic Perspective Carl Rogers & Abraham Maslow

The Humanistic Perspective

Humanistic Perspective A perspective that focuses on the study of conscious experience and the individual’s self awareness and freedom to choose. Interested in the capacity for personal growth Sees people as innately good. Studies fulfilled and healthy individuals rather than troubled people

Humanistic Measures Humanistic measures of personality center on evaluating a person’s self concept--all of our thought and feelings about ourselves Answer the question “Who Am I?”

The Humanistic Perspective: Abraham Maslow and Self-Actualization

Abraham Maslow ( ) Humanistic psychologist who developed the hierarchy of needs Believed that self-actualization is the ultimate psychological need

Hierarchy of Needs Maslow’s pyramid of human needs, beginning at the base with physiological needs, proceeding through safety needs and then to psychological needs Higher-level needs won’t become active until lower-level needs have been satisfied.

Self-Actualization According to Maslow, the need to live up to one’s fullest and unique potential Characteristics include: –Self aware and self accepting –Open, spontaneous, loving, and caring –Not paralyzed by other’s opinions –Focused on a particular task

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

The Humanistic Perspective: Carl Rogers and the Person-Centered Approach

Carl Rogers ( ) Humanistic psychologist who stressed the importance of acceptance, genuineness, and empathy in fostering human growth

Carl Rogers Actualizing tendency—the most basic human motive that is the innate drive to maintain and enhance the human organism Self-concept—set of perceptions you hold about yourself Positive regard—conditional and unconditional – the sense of be loved and valued by other people.

Conditional Positive Regard Person is valued and loved only when the he/she behaves in a way that is acceptable to others. Can lead to incongruence – a state in which a child’s self-concept conflicts with their own experience. Rogers did not believe in permissive parenting. He said parents can disapprove of a behavior without completely rejecting the child.

Unconditional Positive Regard An attitude of total acceptance toward another person despite their faults and failings

Genuineness Freely expressing one’s feelings and not being afraid to disclose details about oneself

Empathy Sharing thoughts and understanding Listening and reflecting the other person’s feelings

Unconditional Positive Regard will help to create… Congruence – A person’s sense of self is consistent with their emotions & experiences.

Comparing Rogers to Freud Rogers – Viewed people as positive, forward- moving, constructive, realistic and trustworthy. –People are innately good –Humans will choose to act in ways that serve to improve society and perpetuate the human race. Freud – Pessimistically viewed humans as hostile, antisocial, destructive & evil –We need society restraints/laws to keep humans in line and prevent the destruction of the human race.

The Humanistic Perspective: Evaluating the Perspective

Evaluating Humanism Humanism has influenced therapy, child-rearing, and the workplace Laid the foundation for positive psychology

Criticisms of Humanism Difficult to test or validate scientifically Tends to be too optimistic, minimizing some of the more destructive aspects of human nature