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Erich Fromms basic thesis
modern day people have been torn away from their prehistoric union with nature and one another, yet they have the power of reasoning, foresight, and imagination
trained in psyhoanlysis, influenced by Karl Marx, Karen Horney, and other socially oriented theorists he developed a theory of personality that emphasizes the influences of___
sociobiological factors, history, economics, and class structure
feelings of isolation present 2 alternatives
1. escape from freedom into interpersonal dependencies
2. move to self-realization through productive love and work
his most basic assumption
personality can be understood only in light of human history
human dilemma
because humans are torn away from nature and can reason, they experience this dilemma.
conflict between being part of nature while also possessing self-awareness, which creates feelings of isolation and the need for meaning.
Existential Dichotomies
existential dichotomies create the struggles (life and death, self realization, ultimately alone), and existential needs are how we try to resolve them (R, T, I)
The state where human ability to reason permits people to survive, but on the other, it forces us to solve insolvable basic dichotomies
Positive freedom consists of
spontaneously and fully expressing emotional potentialities.
is the ability to fully express one's true self—acting spontaneously, creatively, and with love—without being controlled by external authorities or societal expectations. It means embracing individuality while maintaining deep, meaningful connections with others.
someone choosing a career they are passionate about, not because of societal pressure or parental expectations, but because it genuinely fulfills them. They work with creativity and love, freely expressing who they are rather than just conforming to external demands.
3 dichotomies
life and death, we know we want the goal of self realization but realize life is too short for that goal, we are ultimately alone but cannot tolerate this isolation
we understand the goal of self realization but life is too short and how we solve it
we can try to solve it by assuming our own historical period is the achievement of humanity or others will believe in life after death
humans are motivated by sex hunger an aggression but must be solved through ___
existential needs
healthy vs unhealthy
healthy find answers to existence, better at finding ways of reuniting to the world by solving the human needs
ways of relating to the world
submission(submit to a group or institution to become one with the world—not productive ), power(power seekers want submissive partners—a symbiotic relationship—not good for growth or health—not productive), love(only way to become united with the world and achieve individuality at same time—productive)
love
union with someone or something outside of one's self under the condition of retaining the separateness and integrity of one's own self
rootedness
need to establish roots or to feel at home again in the world
lean off mother, relate to world and wholeness (productive), fixation (non productive)
fixation
tenacious reluctance to love beyond the protective security by one's mother
oedipus complex
desire to return to mothers womb or breast
sense of identity
capacity to be aware of ourselves as a separate identity
need to be able to say I am I
believes most people still rely on attachment to others or nations, religions etc to form an identity
we will do anything to get an identity or else we would not have our sanity
unhealthy vs healthy identity
neurotics will try attaching themselves to powerful ppl, healthy will not give up individuality to fit with society
frame of orientation
road map—enables us to organize various stimuli that impinge on us
it's our frame of looking at things and we will do anything to get it, even following extreme ideas
this road map needs a goal called an ___
object of devotion
object of devotion
focuses people's energies in a single direction, gives meaning, and overcome isolation
rootedness satisfied by
fixation or wholeness—only wholeness healthy
sense of identity satisfied by
adjustment to a group or individuality—only individuality is healthy
frame of orientation satisfied by
irrational goals or rational goals—only rational healthy
flee from freedom and basic anxiety through___
mechanisms of escape
mechanisms of escape
authoritarianism, destructiveness, conformity
authoritarianism
tendency to give up independence of one's own self and to fuse one's self with somebody or something else to grain strength where they are lacking—need to unite with a powerful partner is sadism(harmful, achieving unity with another person) or masochism (feeling powerless, joining to powerful partner)
destructiveness
rooted in feelings of aloneness, isolation, powerlessness—to do away with other ppl
conformity
giving up individuality and becoming what others what them to be
Erik Erikson took Freud’s foundation, particularly the psychosexual stages, and built upon them with his own theory of psychosocial development. extends and modifies Freud’s ideas rather than discarding them. He added to Freuds stages of development.
at each stage there is a psychosocial struggle that contributes to the formation of personality. Each stage has a challenge and how well we solve it affects future development
he is post freudian theory
identity crisis
a turning point in one's life that may either strengthen or weaken personality
what is the ego like in post freudian theory?
our ego is a positive force that creates identity, a sense of "I"
center of personality
weak in childhood, strong in adolescence
partially UC
unifies personality
emerges from and shaped from culture
3 parts of ego
body ego, ego ideal, ego identity
these 3 are rapidly changing during adolescence. However, alterations in each of these 3 can and do take place at any life stage.
body ego
experiences with our body; a way of seeing our physical self as different from other people
ego ideal
the image we have of ourselves in comparison with an established ideal--are we satisfied or not with our physical self and our entire personality
ego identity
the image we have of ourselves in the variety of social roles we play
pseudospecies
an illusion by a particular society that it is somehow chosen to be the human species
to understand his 8 stages, we must understand a few things
1. epigenetic principle
human development happens in a set sequence, with each stage building on the one before it
2. interaction of opposites
there is a conflict between syntonic (harmonious) element and dystonic (disruptive) element
we must have experiences with both S and D during each stage
3. basic strength
the conflict between the dystonic and syntonic elements produces an ego quality or ego strength--ex, trust vs mistrust stage emerges hope, which allows ego to move to next stage
4. core pathology
too little basic strength at any one stage--ex, not having sufficient hope = developing the antithesis, withdrawal. each stage has the potential for core pathology
5. although psychosocial, Erick never lost sight of what aspect?
biological aspect of human development
6. ego is identity is shaped by a multiplicity of conflicts and events
events that are past, present, and anticipated
In Erik Erikson's theory, earlier stages of development don't cause later personality development in a strict, linear way. Instead, personality grows through a multiplicity of events—meaning that development is influenced by a combination of past experiences, current social interactions, and ongoing challenges.
For example, while trust vs. mistrust (infancy) lays a foundation for relationships, it doesn’t single-handedly determine whether someone will struggle with intimacy vs. isolation in young adulthood. Other life experiences, relationships, and personal choices also play a role. Essentially, development is cumulative and dynamic, not just a domino effect from early stages.
7. identity crisis occurs at each stage but especially..
adolecnse and on
8 stages of psychosocial development (+ strengths and pathologies)
1. trust vs mistrust (infancy) strength: hope, pathology: withdrawal
2. autonomy vs shame, doubt (early childhood) strength: will, pathology: compulsion
3. initiative vs guilt (play age) strength: purpose, pathology: inhibition
4. industry vs inferiority (school age), strength: competence, pathology: inertia
5. identity vs identity confusion (adolescence) , strength: fidelity, pathology: role repudiation
6. intimacy vs isolation (young adulthood), strength: love, pathology: exclusivity
7. generatively vs stagnation (adulthood), strength: care, pathology: rejectivity
8. integrity vs despair (old age), strength: wisdom, pathology: disdain
1. trust vs mistrust (infancy) strength: hope, pathology: withdrawal
first year of life--like Freuds oral
infants take in, not only through their mouth, but through various sense organs. marked by oral-sensory
oral-sensory mode
is characterized by two modes of
incorporation—receiving and accepting what is given.
trust vs mistrust occurs if..
oral sensory needs met (food, comfort, stimuli) vs oral sensory needs not met--however remember we always experience a balance of both which is good, but dont want too much of one is not good
hope vs withdrawal
emerges from trust vs mistrust, even if the future has distress, they trust good things/needs can still be met
infant feels neglected or unsafe, leading to fear, insecurity, and a withdrawal from others.
2. autonomy vs shame, doubt (early childhood) strength: will, pathology: compulsion
early childhood
2-3--like Freuds anal
pleasure from defecating but also mastering other functions (urinating, walking, throwing, holding)
anal-urethral-muscular mode
When children learn to control their body, especially in relation to cleanliness and mobility. but also more, walk, run, hug
autonomy vs shame and doubt occurs if...
autonomy is allowed or shame is given
they will have their own will, if not=compulsion
3. initiative vs guilt (play age) strength: purpose, pathology: inhibition
3-5--like freud phallic
oedipus, but also developing language, imagination, curiosity, and goal setting
purpose vs inhibition
Purpose develops when children take initiative, try new things, and feel motivated to act on their ideas.
Inhibition occurs when children feel guilty for their actions or are discouraged, which makes them hesitant and less confident in trying new things.
Genital -locomotor mode
they can now move with ease, run, and explore, and become curious about their body and genitals
initative vs guilt happens..
initative from goals (marry mom/dad, move from home) but these taboo goals create guilt
purpose
know play with purpose, trying to win, right and wrong to their behavior
4. industry vs inferiority (school age), strength: competence, pathology: inertia
learn to work, cooperate, gain job skills, social growth>sexual development
industry=finish a job and remain busy
school age
age 6-12 or 13
latency
dormant sexual feelings
competence
the confidence to use ones physical and cognitive abilities to solve the problems that accompany school age or regression called inertia
5. identity vs identity confusion (adolescence) , strength: fidelity, pathology: role repudiation
social latency , about personality development, ego identity
adolescence
puberty to young adulthood
puberty--minor role for erik
fidelity vs role repudiation
faith in ones ideology vs blocks ones ability to bring together ones values and self images into a workable identity
role rep can lead to diffidence (lack of self trust and confidence) or defiance
6. intimacy vs isolation (young adulthood), strength: love, pathology: exclusivity
ability to fuse ones identity with someone else without fear of losing it or will not take chances with identity
young adulthood
19-30
gentility
development of mature sexual relationships and the ability to form deep emotional connections with others
Love Vs. Exclusivity
mature devotion that overcomes basic differences between men and women vs blocked ability to cooperate, compromise, compete
7. generatively vs stagnation (adulthood), strength: care, pathology: rejectivity
take place in society and assume responsibility
care vs rejectivity
willing to take care of certain ppl or groups or not willing to
adulthood
31-60, longest stage of development
procreativity
refers to more than genital contact with an intimate partner. It includes assuming responsibility for the care of offspring that result from that sexual contact
8. integrity vs despair (old age), strength: wisdom, pathology: disdain
sense of wholeness, holding together "I- ness" vs meaningless life, losing hope, losing familiar aspects of their existence
wisdom vs disdain
wisdom comes from a positive reflection on life, while disdain comes from unresolved feelings of dissatisfaction
old age
60-end of life
generalized sensuality
to take pleasure in a variety of different physical sensations
may also include a greater appreciation for the traditional lifestyle of the opposite sex
Ericks methods of investigation
anthropological studies: examining different cultures and their development through a psychological lens, exploring how cultural norms and practices influence individual identity and social behavior.
psychohistory: studying historical events and figures by combining psychology and history to understand the psychological motivations behind societal developments and behaviors
Erikson defines identity both positively and negatively. Therefore, adolescents:
are likely to affirm some values and reject others.
Rejection of family or community standards, inability to establish intimacy, and inability to concentrate on required tasks are symptomatic of what Erikson called:
identity confusion.
ch 8-Fromm
Erich Fromm experinces that contributed to his humanistic view
world war 1 was happening, he was Jewish but lived in germany who was fighting others and hating each other, senseless killing--why?
A friend of his family's--a young female artist, killed herself when her father died--why? she was so talented and beautiful, and he so old and unnatractive
trainings by Talmudic teachers who taught him the Old Testament (although he later abandoned organized religion)
this combo of a lack of animal instincts and rational thought makes humans the ___of the universe
freaks
what does self-awareness contribute to
feelings of loneliness, isolation, homelessness
how do we escape from these feelings
ppl strive to become reunited with nature and other human beings
humanistic psychoanalysis
humanity's separation from the natural world has produced feelings of loneliness and isolation, a condition called _____(answer next card)
basic anxiety
...
his humanistic psychoanalysis looks at people from a historical and cultural perspective not just a psychological one--less abt the individual, more about___
characteristics common to a culture
he takes what kind of view of humanity
evolutionary
evolutionary view of humanity
when humans emerged as seperate species in animal evolution, they lost most of their animal instincts but gained brain development, self awareness, imagination --makes us different from animals
Fromm became a socialist and got his PhD in sociology
in NY and Chicago, karen horney became a mother figure and mentor to Fromm, from lovers to rivals
can we ever overcome or get rid of these dichotomies
no, we can only react based on our culture and personality
life and death and how we solve it
we will die, solved by trying to say life occurs after death
alone but can't tolerate isolation
we know we are separate ppl yet believe our happiness depends on uniting with others
For Fromm, positive freedom consists of:
spontaneously and fully expressing emotional potentialities
meaning
human/existential needs
relatedness, transcendence, rootedness, sense of identity, frame of orientation
