Esther Faith B. Montilla BS PSYCHOLOGY-II

Freud : Psychoanalysis

Sigmund Freud is considered to be the father of psychology by his supporters and his adversaries. Many may choose to disagree with his theories but none would deny that it raised interest, controversy, discussions, research and more theories. Many of Freud’s theories are perceived to be appalling in today’s society but especially so for his generation. His theories were enormously influential, but subject to considerable criticism both now and during his own life. Sample of these major theories are The Conscious and Unconscious Mind in which Freud believed that behavior and personality derives from the constant and unique interaction of conflicting psychological forces that operate at three different levels of awareness which are the preconscious, the conscious, and the unconscious. The Id, Ego and Superego which states that personality is composed of three elements which are known to be the id, ego and superego. Psychosexual Development which describes how personality develops during childhood. Defense Mechanisms or ways that we protect ourselves from things that we don't want to think about or deal with. Freudian Slips which is a verbal or memory mistake that is believed to be linked to the unconscious mind. And the Interpretation of Dreams in which Freud explained that our dreams have manifest content which refers to the surface meaning or the conscious description and the latent content which refers to its unconscious material. Sigmund Freud was a trailblazer and he revolutionized the field of psychology which many of his theories still are valued and respected today. Reading this chapter made me realize that many of my experiences could be associated with Freud’s theories and it I find it amazing learning his theories. One of the experiences that I encountered is when there was this time that I had a family fight at home. I was so mad at my family and specifically to my brother. We had a fight because he misunderstood me and then he let out words that aren’t really pleasant to the ear. So I got angry because I was also hurt of the words he spoke to me, he doesn’t even know what I really want to say. Because of my anger I started to cry and lock myself in the room and tortured my pillow. I was putting my anger on the pillow to lessen it. After how many hours had past, I went outside the room not even saying a word to my brother, because obviously I’m still mad at him but not really. But that night, I was able to say sorry even though it isn’t my fault, but still I honor him as my older brother. So I apologize and he forgave me and then everything went well. Reflecting to this situation I realized that my experience could relate to one of Freud’s defense mechanism which is the “displacement” because in this mechanism an individual redirect their unacceptable urges onto a variety of people or objects so that the original impulse is disguised or conceived (Feist & Feist, 2008). Just like what I’ve done to the pillow, instead of doing physical acts and saying shitty words directly towards my brother, I displace my anger onto my pillow. In my opinion, displacement method is ok if anger is attributed to an object. But it is not ok if attributed to a person especially when the person does not know the reason behind your anger. Knowing and learning more about Freud’s theory makes me discover things that are really not familiar to me which excites me because I had learn new stuffs again. Like my experience, I never thought that what I was doing was apparently a part of Freud’s defense mechanisms. As I have said a while ago that using displacement for me is ok since I have displaced it to a thing. But practicing this doing won’t lead me to anything. Yes my anger was lessen and my level of hatred towards the person has lowered, but still If I continue doing this I may not speak out and will be shy on fighting for my own right. So my action to this experience of mine is to practice temper control or self-control. Since I am a type of person that is easily pissed and also easily annoyed which will then result to anger. I should be responsible enough with my actions. I should really control my temper to lessen the conflict or maybe I could just confront the person but in a correct and careful manner. I think it is ok to use defense mechanisms but not all the time, and not to the extent that we would depend on it, because there are many ways to solve a conflict. We should face the problem and think of a solution and make an action for the problem to be solved.

Freud’s theory on personality is important due to many reasons and thoughts. My conclusive opinion about his theory is pretty much based on or influenced by how we make decisions. Our personality is based on our foundational bring up from our parents. Then proceeds into whether we could make good decisions that are not powered by impulse. Now, Sigmund Freud’s theory is kind of bogus in my opinion. I truly do believe that our intellectual being is driven by sex and aggression (being able to produce and reproduce), but is also based on Eros and Thanatos which means life and death. Now, Freud’s Theory is thought out and very simple. He simplifies the way we decide on things which is based on our id, ego, and superego. Our id is sought out in the infant/newborn stages of life. A child is born and has needs that are not based on how others feel. When the child is hungry, uncomfortable, or not feeling well it cries unaware of how the parent is feeling at the time. Its wants are pretty selfish and self-centered, but a newborn cannot identify this at this stage of life. Now, as the child gets older its actions are based on the ego stage of life or doing things from a realistic point of view. Both ego and id stages of life are co-parts. One feed two, two proceeds to grow, and then three is developed which is called the superego stage of personality and can be defined as our beliefs, morals, and attitudes. This stage in my opinion is developed by our parents and what they install in us. It can also include our cultural background and knowledge. This stage of personality teaches us how to maintain ourselves in the world and how to make rational decisions in life. Yes, Sigmund’s Freud theory does not work for all people, but when you really sit down and read it, it gives you a better understanding. Resources:

* Feist, G., & Feist, J. (2008). Theories of personality (7th ed.). United States of America, McGraw−Hill Companies, Inc.

Adler: Individual Psychology

Individual Psychology was founded by Alfred Adler. It is a cognitive, goal-oriented, social psychology interested in a person’s beliefs and perceptions, as well as the effects that person’s behavior has on others. It is one of the few psychologies interested in democratic processes in the home, school and work place. Individual Psychology promotes social equality, which means granting each other mutual respect and dignity regardless of our inherent differences. It is not a set of techniques but a comprehensive philosophy of living. The three most fundamental principles are: (1) behavior is goal oriented; (2) humans are fundamentally social, with a desire to belong and have a place of value as an equal human being; and (3) the individual is indivisible and functions with unity of personality (Ferguson, 1984). These principles, which make Individual Psychology unique from other approaches, are described in Adlerian psychology as purposiveness, social interest, and holism. Together, these principles describe the person as moving in unity toward self-chosen goals that reflect a human value for belonging and social contribution.

An experience that I could relate myself to Adler’s theory is my life itself. Of course, we could really not escape the fact that each one of us has a feeling of inferiority in some ways. Just like me, there was this group quiz in our AnaPhysio Lecture and I answered an item which I was really sure of answering. But the sad part was after answering the group quiz I asked our teacher to the answer of that certain item that I felt confident of answering, and sadly my answer to that certain item was wrong. And I felt so ashamed that I just want to get out of the room immediately, thinking that that was 10 or 15 points. I really felt so inferior that time and I really don’t know what to say to my group mates. So what I did in the end of the class, as soon as we step out of the room I apologize for the incident that I have done since our group was really competitive to other groups. Apparently, they accepted my sorry and said that it was ok since the time was running and we haven’t got an answer to that problem. The thought of accepting my apology and that it was ok suddenly boost my being that day. I never thought that they would forgive me since it was minus fifteen points to our quiz. I mean of course they would forgive me but not easily, maybe because those 15 items would not ruin their lives forever.

According to Adler, when we feel encouraged, we feel capable and appreciated and will generally act in a connected and cooperative way. When we are discouraged, we may act in unhealthy ways by competing, withdrawing, or giving up. It is in finding ways of expressing and accepting encouragement, respect, and social interest that help us feel fulfilled and optimistic. The concept of lifestyle is important to Individual Psychology. In Adler’s usage, it refers to styles of approaching life based on the expectations we have of others and of the world. We cull these expectations from our interpretations of life experiences and influences. They may include beliefs such as “hard work pays off,” or “life is unfair,” or perhaps in the case of someone who has had an abusive childhood, “the world is a harsh and dangerous place.” These styles, or approaches, have a far-reaching effect on our ability to cooperate with others. They provide the scaffolding for the meanings people construct, and they affect their attitudes and behaviors as they seek either to fulfill or to avoid life tasks that Adler saw as common to everyone.

Life is too short to waste time in being inferior. I was known to be a jolly and happy kid; I smile a lot and always have that optimistic spirit in me. I am determined in all things and that is why when it comes to studies I’m really serious about it. I always wanted to be one of the top in class and I would really not give space for inferiority in my life, but feeling inferior is really part of the challenges in life and it is up to us on how to cope up with inferiority. Encouragement of friends or family members, the feeling of being appreciated, the feeling of being cared and loved actually could give me strength and hope to not give up and to not think of inferiority. I remembered what my dad told me that there are many reasons to smile, even though there is a problem just smile to that problem and then you’ll never notice that the problem is already solved. For me my experience of feeling inferior, actually shape me and mold me to do good next time. And that when it comes to group activities I should share my knowledge so that everyone could know and also I could impart my knowledge to my group mates. And I learned that in a group activity all should agree to one decision so the next time I answer an item, all should react to it so that there will be no conflict at the end.

No doubt reflecting on his own life where he experienced rickets as a child and competition with his athletic older brother, Adler observed that human beings feel inferior and these feelings are the motivating force behind all personal striving and accomplishments. Its good knowing that Adler has a positive perspective in life despite that he felt inferiority at first. We start small and work our way up. To compensate for these inferiority feelings, we strive for superiority. This doesn’t mean becoming better than others; it means going from below to above, from minus to plus. It means expressing this great upward drive, this striving for perfection. Eventually Adler enlarged this striving for an ideal self as striving to create a superior or perfect society to go along with it. Adler’s striving for perfection or reaching for one’s ideal self is a positive healthy motivating force in every person. It is based on the meaning and values we create for our life and then seek to live out. This is the self we want to be. Adler developed his theory for the common man, offering common solutions for dealing with the day-to-day problems of living. It was a therapeutic, educational, and rehabilitative model that was a part of the pioneering work taking place in modern psychiatry.

Resources:

* Adler, A. (1998). What life could mean to you. (Trans. Colin Brett) Center City, MN: Hazelden Foundation. * Wagner, J. (2012). The Enneagram and the Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler. The Enneagram Spectrum of Personality Styles. Retrieved from http://www.enneagramspectrum.com/200/the-enneagram-and-the-individual-psychology-of-alfred-adler/