AP Psychology

THE PSYCHODYNAMIC PERSPECTIVE:

NEOFREUDIANS

A more modern view of personality that retains some aspects of Freudian theory but rejects other aspects

Retains the importance of the unconscious mind

Less emphasis on unresolved childhood conflicts

PSYCHODYNAMIC PERSPECTIVE

Followers of Freud’s theories but developed theories of their own in areas where they disagreed with Freud

Disagreed with Freud in his belief that:1. Behavior is motivated

by sexual urges2. Personality is formed

by early childhood experiences

3. Human nature and society are inherently driven by sex and destruction.

NEO-FREUDIANS

Carl Jung’s collective unconsciousKaren Horney’s focus on securityAlfred Adler’s individual psychology

POST-FREUDIAN PSYCHODYNAMIC THEORIES

THE NEO-FREUDIANS

Rejected Freud’s assertion that human behavior is directed by sex & aggression.

Believed in general psychic energy that pushes us to grow psychologically.

First to describe introverts and extroverts

CARL JUNG (YOONG)(1875-1961)

IntrovertsIntroverts are shy

people who like to be by themselves and prefer quiet events. Can make friends, just

don’t NEED them

ExtrovertsExtroverts are

people who are outgoing, like social events, and enjoy talking to other people.

CARL JUNG (YOONG)(1875-1961)

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Jung believed that within the collective unconscious are archetypes, symbols that represent various ideas and thoughts. For example, snakes represent evil, or a mother represents nurturing.

CARL JUNG (YOONG)(1875-1961)

Jung argued that children are inherently afraid of snakes, because this knowledge is contained in the collective unconscious passed from generation to generation, promoting survival and protection.

Archetypes – Mental images of human instincts, themes and preoccupations that are shared by all cultures.

Often expressed in a culture’s mythology & folk tales.

Animasense of “femaleness” in males

Animussense of “maleness” in females

Other archetypes: “The Shadow”- dark side inside us all

the hero the wise old man the nurturing mother.

ARCHETYPES

Believed cultural/social variables (especially parent-child relationships) are the foundation of personality development not sex like Freud.

KAREN HORNEY (HORN-EYE)(1885-1952)

Found psychoanalysis negatively biased against women. Women didn’t have

“penis envy” it was instead that they envied men’s superior status in society.

Instead said men have “womb envy” and compensate by making creative achievements in their work.

KAREN HORNEY (HORN-EYE)(1885-1952)

Looked at anxiety related to security and social relationships, especially parent-child relationships.Basic anxiety— “the feeling of being isolated and helpless in a hostile world”

KAREN HORNEY (HORN-EYE)(1885-1952)

Felt that healthy personalities are flexible in balancing these needs and anxieties

but unhealthy people are stuck in one of three ways of dealing with anxiety.

KAREN HORNEY (HORN-EYE)(1885-1952)

Deal with this anxiety by.Moving Toward Other

People – having an excessive need for approval & affection

KAREN HORNEY (HORN-EYE)(1885-1952)

People who are classified as this relationship become bothered, or act differently when they are not given enough attention or support from friends and family.

Deal with this anxiety by.Moving Against Other

People – having an excessive need for power over other people

KAREN HORNEY (HORN-EYE)(1885-1952)

People who are classified with this relationship become irritated and act differently when they are not in control or allowed to make decisions in group settings.

Deal with this anxiety by.Moving Away from Other

People – having an excessive need for independence making them aloof and detached from others.

People in this relationship become upset when they are not given enough “alone time”, or are constantly being asked questions by others.

KAREN HORNEY (HORN-EYE)(1885-1952)

Agreed with Freud on the importance of early childhood but thought social tensions were more important than sexual tensions

Believed psychological problems were the result of feelings of inferiority

Inferiority Complex - A condition that comes from being unable to compensate for normal inferiority feelings

ALFRED ADLER (1870-1937)

Inferiority Complex - A condition that comes from being unable to compensate for normal inferiority feelings

ALFRED ADLER (1870-1937)

Children often argue with parents about being able to do something by themselves. Adler believed children wanted to show their parents that they are capable of doing things on their own and are not dependent on them and hence inferior.

Adler also believed that people brag to cover up to make other people forget or not notice their inferiorities.

ALFRED ADLER (1870-1937)

Neo-Freudians

EVALUATING & UPDATING

FREUD’S PSYCHOANALYTIC

THEORY

Evidence is inadequate— Freud’s data is developed from a small number of upper class patients or from self-analysis. (skewed sample) All of Freud’s data was from him so was he imposing his own ideas

onto his patients or seeing only what he expected to see?

Theory is not testable—lack of operational definitions and no way to measure results. Good at explaining the past but not at prediction. Many psychoanalytic concepts impossible to disprove because even

contradictory information can be used to support Freud’s theory.

Sexism—believed that women were weak and inferior. Used male psychology as basis for all people Said women were more vain, masochistic, and jealous than men

and influenced more by their emotions and had a lesser moral and ethical sense than men.

EVALUATION OF PSYCHOANALYSIS

Most psychodynamic psychologists agree:Sex is not the basis of personality.People do not “fixate” at various stages of development.

Much of a person’s mental life is unconscious.Childhood experiences shape us socially and psychologically.

People struggle with inner conflicts and regulating their impulses, emotions and thoughts toward what society deems acceptable.

UPDATING FREUD’S THEORIES