1. Psychodynamic Personality Theories
Module 56

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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