Chapter 5 - Neo Freudian Psychoanalytic Approach

Theorists rejected the idea that personality is formed

by experiences in the initial years of life

Freud failed to recognize

the importance of social and cultural forces in shaping individual personality

Alfred Adler

• Developed the approach of individual psychology

• Contributions to understanding of personality

• Birth Order!

Pampering

Robs the child of independence and adds to feelings of inferiority

Neglect

Children who receive little attention from their parents:

Firstborn children

• Subjected to excessive attention from parents

• Arrival of second child ends the pampering

• Strong perception of inferiority

• Among firstborn we often find problem children, neurotics, criminals, drunkards, and perverts

Middle-born children

• Develop a strong superiority striving

• Highest achievers

• Try hard to catch up with their older siblings

Last-born children

• Pampered throughout their childhood

• Vulnerable to strong inferiority feelings

According to Adler, second-born children

will spend a lifetime trying to catch up with their older siblings.

Carl Jung

• First president of the International Psychoanalytic Association

• Disagreement with Freud’s theory, resulted in resignation from the association in 1914 (THOUGHT MORE OF THE CONCIOUS MIND)

• Established analytic psychology

Collective Unconscious

• Part of unconscious mind

• Constitutes of thoughts, images, and psychic characteristics that are difficult to bring into awareness

Anima

Feminine side of the male

Animus

Masculine side of the female

Shadow

Negative side of personality

Evidence for the Collective Unconscious

Is based on examination of mythology, cultural symbols, dreams, and the statements of schizophrenics

Erik Erickson

Believed that ego is a relatively powerful, independent part of personality

Ego psychology

Erikson’s approach to personality

Identity crisis

Confusion and despair we feel when we lack a strong sense of who we are

Crises

Turning points encountered by people in personality development

Personality Development Throughout the Life Cycle

Infancy - Old Age

Autonomy

Allowing children to manipulate and control what they encounter

Over protection of children hinders

development and lead to shame and doubt

Industry

Belief in one’s strengths and abilities

Inferiority

Lack of appreciation for one’s talents and skills

People with a sense of identity

make decisions about personal values and religious questions

Middle aged individuals develop a concern

for guiding the next generation

Adults who fail to develop sense of

generativity suffer from a sense of stagnation

Karen Horney

• Studied Freud’s work and taught psychoanalysis

• Founded American Institute for Psychoanalysis

• Important contributions

•Neurosis and feminine psychology

Neurotic

People who are trapped in a self-defeating interpersonal style

Interaction styles adopted

by neurotics to avoid anxiety-provoking experiences

Moving against people

People deal with anxiety differently: some seek comfort in others, while others fight it. Some kids use aggression and hostility to cope with a tough home life.

Moving away from people

Some children facing anxiety may employ a third strategy: withdrawing from others and seeking solitude to become self-sufficient and independent.

Feminine Psychology

• Introduced the concept of womb envy

• In a society where men and women are free to become whatever they desire girls would not want to be boys, or vice versa

Personal narratives

Narration of one’s own life story, that requires describing turning point scenes from one’s life

Strengths Neo-Freudian Theory

Freud's oversight of important concepts, recognition of social influences on personality, a positive view of humanity, and the introduction of new ideas like identity crises, introverts, and inferiority complexes.

Criticism Neo-Freudian Theory

Neo-Freudian theories lack strong evidence and overlook crucial aspects.