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 Erik Erikson focus social relationships Alfred Adler’s individual psychology

Carl Jung (Yoong)( ) Rejected Freud’s assertion that human behavior is directed by sex & aggression. Believed that humans share a collective unconscious— concepts shared by all people across all cultures. - “The whole spiritual heritage of mankind’s evolution born anew in the brain structure of every individual.” Archetypes – ideas and images of the accumulated experience of all human beings -powerful father, nurturing mother, witch, wise old man, innocent child, death & rebirth, etc… These images are in our unconsciousness and influence our thoughts and feelings forming the foundation of our personality.

Karen Horney (HORN-eye)( ) Agreed with Freud that childhood experiences played a major role in development as an adult but thought that the greatest influence was social relationships not sexual ones. 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” – happens when not treated as you should be by parents This will lead to hostility towards parents that is repressed. Way to get healthy was to find genuine and consistent love.

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.

Erik Erikson Emphasized mother-infant relationship Ego has more power than Freud believed – We have more decision making choices in our lives Developed an 8 stage developmental theory of personality that dealt with different conflicts one faces as one grows up. –Example: Trust vs. Mistrust is the first conflict infants must overcome to be healthy.

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. –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.