Psychodynamic Perspectives Neo-Freudians

Karen Horney theory of neurosis theory of neurosis –according to Horney, a means of “interpersonal control and coping” –neurotic persons exhibit greater neurotic needs and exhibit greater anxiety when they are not fulfilled –3 basic coping strategies:  compliance (moving toward people)  aggression (moving against people)  withdrawal (moving away from people)

Karen Horney suggested a male counterpart to Freud’s “penis envy” called “womb envy” suggested a male counterpart to Freud’s “penis envy” called “womb envy” theory about development theory about development –parents must make their children feel loved –lack of this is parental indifference  from the child’s point of view  two modes of coping: basic hosility and basic anxiety

Basic Anxiety a feeling of hopelessness and abandonment a feeling of hopelessness and abandonment reduces interpersonal relationships and the ability to thrive in a social setting reduces interpersonal relationships and the ability to thrive in a social setting child tends to put up constant defenses and protective mechanisms child tends to put up constant defenses and protective mechanisms

Alfred Adler everyone is motivated by striving for perfection everyone is motivated by striving for perfection second to perfection is Gemeinschaftsgefuhl, or social interest second to perfection is Gemeinschaftsgefuhl, or social interest people cannot be overwhelmed by inferiority people cannot be overwhelmed by inferiority

Inferiority Complex occurs when a person focuses on their failures to live up to perfection occurs when a person focuses on their failures to live up to perfection people compensate to make up for their weaker areas in stronger ones people compensate to make up for their weaker areas in stronger ones characterized by timid emotions, low self- esteem characterized by timid emotions, low self- esteem

Social Interest combination of innate and learned forms of social communication combination of innate and learned forms of social communication idea of caring for others, family, community, etc. idea of caring for others, family, community, etc. not mere extroversion not mere extroversion

Creative Self the way we use hereditary and environmental dispositions to form our personality the way we use hereditary and environmental dispositions to form our personality we have the freedom to determine our persons within predetermined boundaries we have the freedom to determine our persons within predetermined boundaries

Carl Jung the psyche is divided into three parts: the psyche is divided into three parts: –Ego –Personal unconscious –Collective unconscious the contents of the collective unconscious are archetypes the contents of the collective unconscious are archetypes people are classified as introverted or extraverted people are classified as introverted or extraverted

Collective Unconscious innate universal knowledge innate universal knowledge we cannot be truly conscious of it we cannot be truly conscious of it influences all behavior and experiences, and we can discern it from those influences influences all behavior and experiences, and we can discern it from those influences –ex.: love at first site, déjà vu, recognition of certain myths throughout many cultures

Archetypes dominating contents of the collective unconscious dominating contents of the collective unconscious Mother archetype: we can recognize the nuturing relationship of a mother Mother archetype: we can recognize the nuturing relationship of a mother Shadow archetype: the instinctive, animalistic evils we cannot admit to have Shadow archetype: the instinctive, animalistic evils we cannot admit to have Others: family, father, child, hero, etc. Others: family, father, child, hero, etc.

Persona Archetype of the public image Archetype of the public image we convey ourselves to the world differently in groups than when we are alone we convey ourselves to the world differently in groups than when we are alone either a good or false impression on other people in order to maintain a normalcy of self with others either a good or false impression on other people in order to maintain a normalcy of self with others

Anima and Animus Anima- the female aspect present in the unconsciousness of men Anima- the female aspect present in the unconsciousness of men Animus- the male aspect present in the unconsciousness of women Animus- the male aspect present in the unconsciousness of women syzygy- their combination syzygy- their combination relationships work well when the other person fulfills one’s anima/animus relationships work well when the other person fulfills one’s anima/animus

Introversion v. Extroversion Introverts Introverts –prefer inner thoughts, feelings, ideas, beliefs Extraverts Extraverts –relate to the world through exterior motives and goals Four functions that define introverts and extraverts within themselves Four functions that define introverts and extraverts within themselves –Sensing- achieved through actual perception –Thinking- through cognitive function –Intuiting- through innate knowledge –Feeling- through emotion

Projective Tests personality tests personality tests provide ambiguous stimuli provide ambiguous stimuli trigger projections of inner dynamics of the subject trigger projections of inner dynamics of the subject subjective answers reveal inner thoughts subjective answers reveal inner thoughts

TAT Thematic Apperception Test Thematic Apperception Test Henry A. Murray and Christiana D. Morgan designed it in the 1930s Henry A. Murray and Christiana D. Morgan designed it in the 1930s 31 slides with ambiguous images of situations 31 slides with ambiguous images of situations Subjects are asked to describe the scene Subjects are asked to describe the scene

Rorschach A set of inkblots made by Hermann Rorscach A set of inkblots made by Hermann Rorscach Symmetrical Symmetrical Sought to identify inner drives by analyzing interpretations of the blots Sought to identify inner drives by analyzing interpretations of the blots

Psychodynamic Theory Theories stemming from Freud’s original ideas Theories stemming from Freud’s original ideas Divided the brain into different conscious and unconscious parts Divided the brain into different conscious and unconscious parts We develop psychological ways of thinking and processing information from a young age; our younger experiences reflect in our older ones We develop psychological ways of thinking and processing information from a young age; our younger experiences reflect in our older ones The mind is not perfectly direct The mind is not perfectly direct

Poor Testability Projective tests are hard to verify, since they have unique, per-person responses and interpretations Projective tests are hard to verify, since they have unique, per-person responses and interpretations They do not predict behavior; rather they take what is already known and correlate different things They do not predict behavior; rather they take what is already known and correlate different things

Inadequate Evidence Simply put, there is little empirical data to support the theories of Neo-Freudians other than specific individual experiences Simply put, there is little empirical data to support the theories of Neo-Freudians other than specific individual experiences

Sexism The theories of the Neo-Freudians are often gender specific The theories of the Neo-Freudians are often gender specific –ex. Anima/animus Horney’s complement of “penis envy” with “womb envy” shows that theories do not necessarily work for both genders, and data might be skewed toward men or women Horney’s complement of “penis envy” with “womb envy” shows that theories do not necessarily work for both genders, and data might be skewed toward men or women