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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