THE PSYCHOANALYTIC APPROACH – NE0-

FREUDIAN

IAS1162 – Lecture #3

Introduction Sigmund Freud ‘started’ the theories in

psychology Many other scholars became his followers Some had differences and broke away from

Freud and carried on with their own theoriesMostly just a ‘continuation’ of Freud’s theories

These scholars are called “Neo-Freudians”

Disagreement with Freud’s theories Rejection on ideas that adult personality

stems from only the first 5-6 years of lifeAcknowledge that early childhood

experience have a significant effectArgues that later experiences, particularly in

in adolescence and early adulthood are also important in shaping personality

… cont’d …

Challenge Freud’s emphasis on instinctual sources of personalityArgued that Freud failed to recognize many

of the important social and cultural forces that shape who we are

Freud attributed many of the differences between men and women are just biological○ A neo-Freudian theorist argued that culture

play a large role in creating these differences

… cont’d

Negative tone of Freudian theoryThe concentration on the dark side of

human personality by FreudPresentation of a more positive view of

humankind and human personality○ Constructive functions of the ego and

emphasized the role of conscious rather than unconscious determinants of behavior

Other theorists spoke of growth experience and satisfaction people obtain from reaching their potential

Alfred Adler

The first member of the psychoanalytic group created by Freud to break away

First had a good relationship with Freud but turned sour over a lot of disagreement

Several member followed him when he left

Formed a new society and created individual psychology

Striving for Superiority Key difference between Freud and Adler was

description of human motivationFreud depicted motivation in terms of sexual and

aggressive themesAlder identified a single motivating force called

striving for superiority Striving for superiority begins with feelings of

inferiority Everybody starts with a profound sense of inferiorityExpected from a weak and helpless child –

dependent on larger and stronger adults○ Awareness on weakness drives one to overcome

… cont’d … Everything we do is designed to establish a

sense of superiority over life’s obstaclesWhy do we work so hard to obtain good grades, to

excel in athletics, to reach a position of power? Freud describes the motives driving a

successful businessman in terms of sublimationDefeating business rivals satisfies an unconscious

desire to compete Adler saw business success as an expression

of superiority striving

… cont’d …

Excessive feelings of inferiority has the opposite effect – inferiority complexVastly inferior to everybody elseFeelings of helplessness rather than upward

drive to establish superiorityPeople who develop this run away from

challenges rather than work to overcome it

Your Job Read on

Adler’s “Parental Influence on Personality Development and Birth Order theories”

The Psychoanalytic theories of○ Carl Jung – The Collective Unconscious &

Archetypes○ Erik Erikson – Concept of the Ego○ Karen Horney –Neurosis & Feminine Psychology

I will ask you in the next online quiz

Let’s do Jeopardy!

BE PREPARED FOR NEXT MONDAY’S ACTIVITIES!!!!

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