Ch.14 Social Psychological Theories

Zeitgeist: to move past Freud’s orthodox psychoanalysis, to refute biological explanations of human nature. To view personality as a product of environment and interpersonal relationships.

Alfred Adler

First proponent of social psychological approach to psychoanalysis
Like Jung, rejected Freud’s Oedipus Complex - did not describe his childhood experiences (hostile mother, close to father)
Had an Inferiority Complex - influencing his theory of the necessity to compensate for one’s weaknesses.
Relationship with Freud - not really close; Alder called him a swindler and psychoanalysis as “filth”
1920s - popularity of his social psychological system, individual psychology
Freud expressed bitterness over Alder’s death in Aberdeen, Scotland

Adler’s version of psychoanalysis
Theory of personality, human behavior determined by social forces, not biological instincts.
Social Interest: innate potential to cooperate with other people and achieve societal goals
Develops in infancy and develops through experiences
Minimized the influence of sex
More concerned with the conscious over the unconscious
Also believed that we are more focused on our plan for the future, less so on the past (like Freud)
For personality, Adler suggested that there is a dynamic force driving us to superiority (not an Id, Ego, and Superego)
Also believed in the equality of the sexes (no penis envy as Freud suggests)

Inferiority Complex: develops when individuals cannot compensate for normal feelings of inferiority — leads to difficulty in coping with life’s problems.
normal inferiority feelings are motivating forces in behavior
E.g. a child who stutters, will use speech therapy, become a great orator
awakened in childhood for everyone, because they are dependent and helpless. so we consciously try to compensate for it - “to better ourselves”
Creative Power of Self - we are capable of determining own personality based on own life style - not controlled by past experiences or unconscious forces

Child’s position in family = varying attitudes in life + coping styles
Older (firstborn): authoritarian, to maintain order. likely to be neurotics, criminals or perverts (Freud)
Middle (second-born): rebellious, strive to surpass firstborn (Adler)
Youngest: spolied + problematic child and adult
Only-Child: cannot adjust to external world; used to being center-of- attention

received well by those who opposed Freud’s view of personality (dominated by sexual forces + childhood experiences)
liked idea of conscious involvement in development - optimistic view of human nature
Criticisms: to superficial and Freud called his system to be simple. Also not very scientific or confirming accuracy of patient reports
Research Support:
- Birth Orders: yes to firstborns theory but less support for second-born theory and rejected only-child theory; only child’s tend to be higher in intelligence, achievement, self-esteem

complicated relationship with family (distant father, supportive/ill mother, favored older brother)
lack of parental love - leading to her later notions of “basic anxiety”
suffered from depression and had multiple relationships (longing for love)
began self-analysis when Freudian psychoanalysis was not helping
founded the American Institute of Psychoanalysis

rejected the Oedipus theory + three-part personality
aligned with Freud in belief of unconscious motivation + nonrational motives
argued men are driven by womb envy; jealous of women for there ability to give birth and unconscious resentment in attempts to retain natural superiority
believed Freud’s pessimism of neurosis was wrong - personality was not fixed

stems from parental actions of dominance, lack of protection + love - feelings of hostility and isolation trigger basic anxiety
the foundation of neuroses
personality develops in childhood (like Freud said), but focus is not on psychosexual stages of development, rather treatment by parents/caregivers

Behavioral strategies used to cope with anxiety - called neurotic when becomes a fixed part of personality
10 neurotic needs, grouped into three categories:
- compliant - need for approval, affection, dominant partner
- detached - need for independence, perfection, and withdrawal
- aggressive - need for power, exploitation, prestige, admiration, achievement
not realistic method of coping with anxiety, lead to conflict that can further exacerbate relational issues — with others, self, and life
not innate, can be prevented with healthy childhood