Lecture 2: Freud and Alder
Freud: Developed the theory of psychoanalysis, emphasizing the role of the unconscious mind and childhood experiences in shaping personality.
Adler: Introduced the concept of individual psychology, focusing on the importance of social interest and the drive for superiority. Both theorists contributed significantly to our understanding of human behavior, yet they diverged in their approaches, with Freud prioritizing internal conflicts and Adler emphasizing the influence of societal factors.
Freud’s Theories
Levels of consciousness
Personality development
Defence mechanisms
Adler’s Theories
Concepts of inferiority/superiority
Impact of birth order and parenting on behaviour
Personality Types
Page 4: Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)
Famous for developing psychoanalysis.
Viewed personality as a dynamic flow of mental energy.
Quote: "The interpretation of Dreams is the royal road to a knowledge of the unconscious activities of the mind."
Page 5: The Study of the Unconscious
Freud challenged contemporary rationalist viewpoints:
Asserted unconscious ideas were as strong as conscious ones.
Methods for analyzing the unconscious:
Dreams, slips of the tongue, artistic works, free association.
Developed
Topographical: three levels of consciousness.
Structural model of personality.
Page 6: Topographical Model
Consciousness: Everything within our awareness (current thoughts).
Preconscious: Accessible memories (e.g., an old phone number).
Unconscious: Contains socially unacceptable thoughts and desires.
Repression: active process keeping these characteristics hidden.
Page 7: Structural Model: The Id
Present at birth and seeks to satisfy basic needs.
Governed by the pleasure principle.
Represents irrational desires, focusing on instant gratification without considering consequences.
Page 8: Structural Model: The Ego
Develops between ages 2-3.
Based on the reality principle.
Responsible for planning and organization (mediator between personal needs and societal norms).
Page 9: Structural Model: The Superego
Develops around age 5, equating to conscience.
Involves internalizing values from same-sex parent (identification).
Composed of the conscience and the ego ideal.
Page 10: Structural Model: The Ego Ideal
Represents the individual's "ideal self".
Formed through rewards and punishments.
Conscience: formed through punishment.
Modern parallels: parenting techniques like the ‘naughty step’.
Page 11: Psychosexual Development
Importance of the first five years of life.
States that adult personality is shaped by early childhood experiences.
Five stages in Freud’s psychosexual theory dealing with libidinal focus.
Freud overlooked factors of social development.
Page 12: 1. Oral Stage (<18 months)
Infants explore through lips and mouth; attachment to caregiver develops.
Potential problems may arise from rapid weaning leading to fixation:
Oral receptive: dependent adults.
Oral aggressive: hostile adults.
Fixation examples: smoking, nail-biting.
Page 13: 2. Anal Stage (18-36 months)
Focus on anal area correlates with toilet training.
Personality types that may develop:
Anal retentive: orderly, stubborn, mean.
Anal expulsive: disorganized, defiant.
Fixations represent stubbornness.
Page 14: 3. Phallic Stage (3-6 years)
Libido focuses on genitalia; attraction towards opposite-sex parent.
Development of outcomes based on identification with the same-sex parent.
Outcomes of fixation can include vanity and promiscuity.
Page 15: Oedipus Complex
For boys: desire for mother leads to fear of father (castration anxiety).
For girls: penis envy resulting in blame towards mother.
Resolution emerges through identification with the same-sex parent and desire for a child.
Page 16: 4. Latency Stage (6 years - puberty)
A period of relative calm and repressed sexual urges.
No significant psychological fixations occur.
Emotions suppressed in favor of learning or physical activities.
Page 17: 5. Genital Stage (puberty onwards)
Main focus on sexual pleasure with others.
Development of mature relationships in adulthood.
Page 18: Freudian Defence Mechanisms
Developed during the latency stage in response to anxiety from Id-Superego conflict.
Protect from self-esteem damaging pain: internal urges and external threats.
Importance of acknowledging defence mechanisms in therapy (Anna Freud).
Page 19: 10 Common Defence Mechanisms
Repression: inability to recall painful memories.
Regression: reverting to earlier behaviours under stress.
Denial: refusing to accept uncomfortable truths.
Projection: attributing personal faults to others.
Reaction-formation: acting contrary to genuine feelings.
Page 20: More Defence Mechanisms
Undoing: countering guilt through compensatory acts.
Displacement: redirecting negative emotions to a safer target.
Rationalisation: creating excuses for behaviours.
Isolation: detaching emotional responses from experiences.
Sublimation: channeling impulses into socially acceptable actions.
Page 21: Evaluation of Freudian Theory
Strengths:
First comprehensive personality theory.
Establishes childhood impact on personality.
Weaknesses:
Lacks empirical testability.
Overly orderly view of personality development.
Downplays traumatic experiences.
Page 22: Post-Freudian Theorists
Development of Freudian theories challenged by dissenters who collaborated with Freud.
Page 23: Dissenters of Freud
Disagreements on:
Unconscious theories
Sexual focus in theory
Gender biases present in Freud's views.
Page 24: Alfred Adler (1870-1937)
Break from Freud focusing on individual psychology.
Founded the Society of Free Psychoanalytic Research.
Page 25: Individual Psychology
Human behaviour as goal-driven.
Concept of inferiority arising when goals are unmet.
Neurosis derived from feelings of inferiority.
Page 26: Inferiority
Universal childhood experience.
Drives personality development and conflict with external pressures.
Inferiority complex leads to risk aversion and fear of failure.
Page 27: Compensating for Inferiority
Challenges faced can motivate excellence.
Example of asthmatic individual achieving success despite condition.
Page 28: The Social Interest
Connectedness and community are vital for overcoming feelings of inferiority.
Poor social interest leads to psychological problems in adulthood.
High social interest correlates with cooperative and altruistic behaviours.
Page 29: Parental Influence on Personality Development
Style of Life: unique approach each child takes toward life tasks.
Establishment of a guiding life plan during early interactions (ages 3-5).
Page 30: The Role of Parents
Father's Role: Equal contributor to family dynamics and must respect mother.
Mother's Role: Introduces children to social dynamics, affecting their future relationships.
Page 31: Parental Behaviours
Pampering: Overprotection vs. allowing independence in decision-making.
Neglect: Emotional unavailability can result in cold, distant adult personalities.
Page 32: Birth Order and Its Effects
Siblings experience familial dynamics differently based on their order of birth.
Page 33: Birth Order Characteristics
1st Born: Authority figures, achievers.
2nd Born: Competitors, dependent or envious traits.
Youngest: Dependent on others, seeks validation.
Only Children: Pampered, need for approval, high achievers.
Page 34: Adler’s Personality Types
Classification into four types based on striving for superiority:
Ruling Type: Dominant and aggressive.
Getting Type: Dependent and passive.
Avoiding Type: Escapist and fearful.
Socially Useful Type: Responsible and healthy.
Page 35: The Ruling Type
Dominant individuals, often exhibit bullying traits or self-harm tendencies.
Page 36: The Getting Type
Passive and dependent personalities prone to anxiety and poor self-concept.
Page 37: The Avoiding Type
Individuals with low confidence, retreated and withdrawn from social interactions.
Page 38: The Socially Useful Type
Healthy individuals demonstrating social interest, concern for others' welfare.
Page 39: Evaluation of Adlerian Theory
Strengths:
Holistic and inclusive of social elements.
Weaknesses:
Limited empirical data and overly simplified motivational frameworks.
Page 40: Recommended Readings
Maltby, Day & Macaskill (2022): Chapters 2 & 3 on psychoanalytic approaches and developments.
Freud Museum website for additional resources.
Page 41: Learning Check Questions
Importance of the unconscious mind for Freud.
Description of Freud's 5 stages of personality development including critiques.
Impact of parenting behaviours and birth order on psychological development according to Adler.
Definition and importance of Adler’s "Social Interest" related to personality.
Major similarities and differences between Freud's and Adler's personality theories.