From its early beginnings, psychology has remained a rapidly changing science. Starting in the late 1800’s through the 1930’s, psychologists disagreed about many aspects of the field of psychology, including fields of study and research methods. Out of this conflict, four major schools of thought developed – Structuralism, Behaviorism, Gestalt psychology, and Psychoanalysis. Structural psychologists believed the purpose of psychology is to describe, analyze, and explain conscious sensations and feelings. Behaviorists believed conditioning could change human behavior. Gestalt psychologists theorized humans and some animals perceive the world around them in an organized pattern. Psychoanalysts believed that powerful inner forces from the unconscious mind develop and influence human behavior. This paper will discuss the personality theories proposed by Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. This discussion will include a description of each theory. In addition, this paper will analyze the strengths and limitations of these theories. Finally this paper will compare and contrast each theory based on basic and underlying assumptions, deterministic versus free will, and awareness of self.
Sigmund Freud Sigmund Freud, a psychologist from Vienna, was the first person to propose the Psychoanalytical Theory of Personality. Though his work, he suggested the personality is comprised of three separate elements, the id, the ego, and the super ego (Burger 2008). The id, present at birth, is entirely unconscious, and includes primitive and instinctive behaviors. The id is driven toward immediate gratification, known as the pleasure principle (Burger 2008). The id is important in early life, ensuring that the demands of an infant are met. If these needs are not satisfied, then the individual will experience anxiety. This is the reason that babies cry when they are uncomfortable or hungry. He will continue to cry until his needs have been satisfied. Freud suggested the ego is the part of human personality that deals with reality (Burger 2008). It develops from the id, and ensures its impulses are expressed through the reality principle. Essentially the ego weighs the benefit and cost of an action before acting or abandoning it. This satisfies the demands of the id through delayed gratification. The superego is the aspect of personality that makes judgments based on ideals acquired from parents and society and internalized moral standards, such as the sense of right and wrong (Burger 2008). The superego suppresses unacceptable urges from the id, and attempts to encourage the ego to act based on idealistic standards, rather than realistic principles. Freud believed balance between the id, ego, and super ego, are key for a healthy personality. Some theorists have criticized Freud’s work for many reasons. Freud’s theories are based on case studies and not empirical research. His theories focused on male development, and did not mention female psychosexual development. Other researchers have found it difficult to test his theories. Some research has discredited some of Freud’s theories. It can be difficult to make predictions based on his theories; the length of time between cause and effect is to great to make an assumption of the relationship between the variables.

Carl Jung Early in his career, Carl Jung worked with and developed a friendship with Freud. This time lead to a fascination concerning the unconscious mind and influenced Jung’s later work (Bair 2003). Over time, Jung began to develop his own theories, understanding of the human mind through art, myth, dreams, and philosophy. Jung rejected Freud’s emphasis on sex as the only source of behavior motivation. Jung separated from psychodynamic theory and developed Analytical Psychology. Jung suggested the human psyche existed in three parts – the conscious mind (ego), the personal unconscious, and the collective unconscious. He suggested the collective unconscious includes the combined knowledge and experience of all humans. Jung theorized the process individuation was necessary and essential for one to become a complete human being. During this process, the different parts of the human psyche integrate, as an individual becomes his true self. Much like Freud, some psychologists found fault with Jung’s research and theories. Jung’s ideas like chance, collective unconscious and archetypes cannot be empirically tested. Some believed because he included religion in his discussion of psychology, that his ideas were to mystical and were not scientific.
Basic and Underlying Assumptions Freud believed internal forces constantly motivate individuals. These two forces, sex and aggression, act as the basis, or motivation, for all actions (Feist & Feist, 2009). He suggested the libido drove individuals to seek pleasure, which can be derived by stimulating various body organs, not just the genitals. For example, sucking a pacifier can bring an infant feelings of comfort and security. According to Feist and Feist (2009), Freud believed "Sex can take many forms, including narcissism, love, sadism, and masochism. The latter two also possess generous components of the aggressive drive." Freud suggested aggression was a form of self-preservation as an individual acted defensively or hostile to stop a perceived threat (Feist and Feist, 2009). Jung disagreed with Freud’s belief that sex and aggression were primary motivating factors for behavior. He believed humans were driven to grow as they attempted to reconcile issues from the unconscious. This repressed material was not necessarily sexual in nature. Unlike Freud, who wanted people to move away from religion, Jung believed religion was a vital part of the collective unconscious (Feist & Feist, 2009). Determinism Versus Free Will Freud theories are based in determinism. He rejected the idea that milestones in personality development were due to free will or just happened. He believed every thought, act, or emotion was based on sufficient cause, although the cause may be complex and difficult to ascertain. Unlike Freud, Jung believed in a balance between the three parts of a person’s psyche in order to live a healthy life (Feist & Feist, 2009). This suggests Jung’s theories personality could develop through both determinism and free will. He believe all people are in some part influenced by both his personal unconscious and collective unconscious, although he is not completely controlled by either of them (Feist & Feist, 2009). Furthermore, he believed all people are capable of making conscious decisions, which are in some way influenced by the personal unconscious and the collective unconscious (Feist & Feist, 2009).
The Conscious and Unconscious Mind Freud believed the human mind could be separated into two parts, the conscious mind, which includes things that an individual is aware of, can think about and talk about, including memories which can be retrieved; and the unconscious mind, which is a reservoir of feelings, urges, and thoughts. Most of the contents of the unconscious mind are unpleasant, such as feelings of anxiety, conflict, or pain. Freud believed the unconscious influences behavior, even if one is unaware of the underlying influences (Feist & Feist, 2009). Jung developed his theory as a basis of establishing a relationship between unconscious and conscious processes. He suggested communication between the unconscious and conscious strengthened the psyche. Jung believed human personality was weakened without this communication. Reference
Bair, D. (2003). Jung: A Biography. New York: Back Bay Books.
Burger, J (2008). Theories of Personality: Understanding Persons. Retrieved from the University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.
Feist, J and Feist, G (2009). Theories of Personality (7th ed.). Retrieved from the
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