...Traditional Psychodynamic Theories Jay Owen Lynn Hagan December 7, 2015 Over time, many famous theorists such as Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, and Carl Jung compiled theories comprised of their theories of personalities. Traditional psychodynamic theories of personalities played a major role in contemporary psychodynamic theories of today. Each of these famous theorists, Freud, Adler, and Jung, contributed with their tenets of the psychodynamic theories of personality to explain how their theory explains how an individual’s personality is form. While each of these theories is an explanation of how an individual’s personality is form, each theory has its strengths as well as its weaknesses in its explanation. Each theorists, Freud, Adler, and Jung, have alternative theories of personality based on their “personal backgrounds, childhood experiences, philosophy of life, interpersonal relationships, and unique manner of looking at the world” (Feist, 2013, p. 7). Because of the different “experiences,” of these theorists, they used different data sets and their observations possibly skewed because of their personal experiences. Therefore, each theorist’s definition of personality could differ because of their personal characteristics, cognitive processes, and their belief in the nature of humanity (Feist, 2013, "What is Personality"). In order to understand Freud’s, Adler’s and Jung’s psychodynamic theories of personality, an individual needs to understand the definition...
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...The three theories that caught my interest were Behaviorism, Cognitive psychology, and Psychodynamic. Psychodynamic psychology the most appropriate manner in which to describe it is with is founder Sigmund Freud it focuses on the role of the unconscious and dynamic factors that motivate, behavior through stages of development. It ignores the confinements of science opting to direct its focus on attempting to get inside the head. It includes all the theories in psychology that see human functioning based upon the interaction of drives and forces within the person particularly unconscious, and between the different structures of the personality. To make this perspective clear Freud’s theories were psychoanalytic, while psychodynamic is reference both to his theories and those of his followers Freud’s psychoanalysis is both a theory and a therapy (S. Mcleod, 2007). . Cognitive Psychology geared by the idea that if we want to know what makes people tick then we should concentrate on understanding the internal processes of their mind. Literally speaking cognition means knowing or simply put psychologists from this aspect study cognition which is the mental act or process through which knowledge is obtained. Cognitive psychology focuses on the human method of processing information, or in particular the behavioral response to stimuli or input. Cognitive psychologists study internal processes from memory, attention, thinking, perception to language all of this in an attempt to...
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...Psychodynamic Theories Jayme Terrigno PSY/405 October 6, 2014 Patti Tolar Psychodynamic Theories According to "Good Therapy" (2014), “The psychological interpretation of mental and emotional processes—is rooted in traditional psychoanalysis and draws from object relations, ego psychology, and self psychology” (para. 1). Psychodynamic theories draw most of their information from the idea of the unconscious, especially in the development of early childhood. This paper will describe personality, discuss the mail tenets of the theories presented, discuss how each theory applies to personality and behavior, and discusses the strengths and limitations of each theory. The degree to which individual humans vary from one another, both physically and psychologically, is quite astonishing and somewhat unique among species (Feist, Feist, & Roberts 2013). Personality id the physical characteristics of a person and how it reflects toward others. Personality is the thoughts and feelings that each person holds and shows to others. It is collection of a person, but these pieces of each person tend to remain the unchanged through the years. Psychodynamic theory was developed by a Sigmund Freud, a well-known theorist, and in his own words, scientist. Sigmund Freud began to combine philosophical speculations with a primitive scientific method. As a neurologist trained in science, Freud began to listen to his patients to find out what...
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...thought. This includes the following perspectives: psychodynamic, behaviorist, cognitive, and evolutionary (Kowalski & Westen, 2009). Although the biopsychological approach is not considered as one of the four major schools of thought within psychology, it plays an important role in the foundations of psychology. These perspectives focus on a unique viewpoint or approach toward the field of psychology and each brings new ideas and theories to the table. The Psychodynamic Perspective It can be said that Sigmund Freud was the father of the psychodynamic perspective of psychology. Freud developed this perspective based upon the idea that the unconscious self is responsible for certain “underlying wishes, fears, and patterns of thought from an individual’s conscious, verbalized thought, and behavior” (Kowalski & Westen, 2009, p. 13). Essentially, the psychodynamic perspective suggests that people’s actions and thoughts are influenced by unconscious factors that they may not be aware of. The goal of psychodynamic psychologists was to discover how these unconscious factors influence the behavior and mental processes of human beings. Due to the nature of this perspective psychologists relied heavily upon the case study method which permitted observation and analysis of the patient’s dreams, fantasies, and fears. The psychodynamic perspective has been intensely criticized throughout the years because of the nature of the theories provided by this perspective. In fact, it is...
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...several traditional perspectives in personality theory. The four most common ones are the psychodynamic, trait or five-factor model, humanistic, and social cognitive. The psychodynamic perspective branched out from Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory. It emphasizes the role of the unconscious mind in the development of personality. It focuses on the idea that people have defense mechanisms, personality is largely dependent on one’s sexual impulses, and that the past is important. There are several advantages and disadvantages associated with this theory. Some advantages are that one will recognize the importance of childhood, it has been revised by other theorists and has been made less controversial, and it has been around for a very long time. This theory also has many disadvantages such as being too focused on the idea of sex and the past. It is also very difficult to assess the unconscious aspects of personality. The humanistic theory first appeared as a reaction against the psychodynamic and behaviorist theories. It is based largely on the work of Rogers and Maslow.The humanistic theory focuses on the role of each person’s conscious life experiences and choices in personality development. It also focuses on one’s self-conception, consideration of a person as a whole, and the potential for positive life. Rogers believed that humans are always striving to fulfill their innate capacities and capabilities, known as the self-actualizing tendency. Advantages of this theory include...
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...Introduction Psychodynamic psychotherapy places great emphasis on aspect that are usually not known to an individual, perhaps most familiar to us as the unconscious processes. According to Shelder (2010), distinctive features of Psychodynamic technique extends to a wide range of treatments based on psychoanalytic concepts and methods that consist of less frequent sessions and may be significantly more short-termed than the psychoanalysis concept. Sessions are scheduled typically once or twice per week consisting with treatment either in time limited or open ended fashion. In contrast to traditional and inadequate teaching materials of psychoanalytic or psychodynamic therapies made by Sigmund Freud in the early 20th century, conventional psychodynamic...
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...Psychodynamics is the systematic study and theory of the psychological forces that underline human behavior, emphasizing the interplay between unconscious and conscious motivation.[1] The original concept of "psychodynamics" was developed by Sigmund Freud.[2] Freud suggested that psychological processes are flows of psychological energy in a complex brain, establishing "psychodynamics" on the basis of psychological energy, which he referred to as libido. The psychodynamic psychotherapy is a less intensive form compared to classical psychoanalysis practiced by strict Freudians, demanding sessions only once weekly instead of 3-5 times weekly which was typical for traditional psychoanalysts. Psychodynamic therapies depend on a theory of inner conflicts which surface in behaviour or emotions. Generally, one conflict is subconscious. ------------------------------------------------- Overview In general, psychodynamics, also known as dynamic psychology, is the study of the interrelationship of various parts of the mind, personality, or psyche as they relate to mental, emotional, or motivational forces especially at the unconscious level.[4][5][6] The mental forces involved in psychodynamics are often divided into two parts:[7] (a) interaction of emotional forces: the interaction of the emotional and motivational forces that affect behavior and mental states, especially on a subconscious level; (b) inner forces affecting behavior: the study of the emotional and motivational forces...
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...Introduction into Personality Introduction into Personality This paper is an attempt to examine personality theory. This endeavor begins with a look into the definition of personality. Following the look into the definition of personality one will find intriguing information regarding theoretical approaches in studying personality. Finally, one will find an analysis of factors that may influence an individual’s personality development. According to Feist and Feist (2009), there is no single definition of personality. Psychologists provide many definitions of personality, each from a perspective different from the others. Although each personality theorist maintains his or her view of personality, few precisely have defined it (Feist & Feist, 2009). To define personality formally would be an extremely difficult task for multiple reasons. First, no two people have the same personalities. Although no single definition of personality exists, most agree that personality is linked to unique characteristics and permanent traits, also that it represents the totality of one’s being. According to Feist and Feist (2009), an individual’s traits are contributing factors to the differences in behavior from one individual to the next. Although, some individuals may have some of the same traits, the pattern is unique for each individual. Therefore each individual has a matchless personality. Characteristics are unique among individuals as well, including aspects such as...
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...emotions and experiences, i.e. make the unconscious conscious. Psychoanalysis is commonly used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. It is only having a cathartic (i.e. healing) experience can the person be helped and "cured". Psychoanalysis Assumptions · Psychoanalytic psychologists see psychological problems as rooted in the unconscious mind. · Manifest symptoms are caused by latent (hidden) disturbances. · Typical causes include unresolved issues during development or repressed trauma. · Treatment focuses on bringing the repressed conflict to consciousness, where the client can deal with it. How can we understand the unconscious mind? freud's couch Remember, psychoanalysis is a therapy as well as a Freudian theory. In psychoanalysis (therapy) Freud would have a patient lie on a couch to relax, and he would sit behind them taking notes while they told him about their dreams and childhood memories. Psychoanalysis would be a lengthy process, involving many sessions with the psychoanalyst. Due to the nature of defense mechanisms and the inaccessibility of the deterministic forces operating in the unconscious, psychoanalysis in its classic form is a lengthy process often involving 2 to 5 sessions per week for several years. This approach assumes that the reduction of symptoms alone is relatively inconsequential as if the underlying conflict is not resolved, more neurotic symptoms will simply be substituted. The analyst typically is a 'blank screen'...
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...a “blank slate”. Behavioural approaches use strict experimental measures to study observable behaviour ( or responses ) in relation to the environment, thus resulting in the maladaptive behavioural approaches that we employ to deal with our learning. Behaviourism was first developed in the early 20th century by an American psychologist John B Watson, who at the time was working in the field of animal psychology. He believed that all behaviour was observable and therefore scientific, and worked on the principle and study of the association between a stimulus and response. ( Watson did not deny the existence of inner experiences, but insisted that they could not be studied because they were not observable ) Watson’s stimulus and response theory of psychology claimed that all complex forms of behaviour – emotions, habits etc – are seen as composed of simple muscular and glandular elements that can be observed and measured, and that emotional reactions are learned in much the same way. Watson aimed to prove his beliefs with laboratory experiments, and one of these experiments was known as “ The Little Albert Experiment”. Little Albert was a small young boy of about 18 months of age , Young Albert would sit happily on the floor and play with a white rat. Young Albert did not like loud noises, and on the presentation of the rat, scientists would clang two metal rods together behind Young Albert’s head, which resulted in screaming from young Albert. The result of this “ conditioning”...
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...Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology Abstract In the following paper, abnormal psychology will be discussed in length. The origins of abnormal psychology will be discussed, including the challenges to defining and classifying normal and abnormal behavior. There will also be a brief overview of how abnormal psychology has evolved into a scientific discipline. Finally the biopsychosocial, biological/medical, and sociocultural theoretical models, will also be analyzed in relation to the development of abnormal psychology. Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology Abnormal psychology, also known as psychopathology, is the subfield of psychology devoted to the study of mental disorders (Hansell & Damour, 2008). The subfield also aims to understand the nature, causes, and treatment of these mental disorders (Pearson Higher Education, 2010). Abnormal psychology has come a long way in regard to how it is defined, viewed, and even treated. There are many challenges when it comes to defining and classifying normal and abnormal behavior. Over time, abnormal psychology has evolved into a scientific discipline. When it comes to the development of abnormal psychology, there are many theoretical models in which we can study as well. Origins of Abnormal Psychology It is difficult to define abnormality, and the scientific characterization of abnormality depends on five criteria: help seeking, irrationality/dangerousness, deviance, emotional distress, and significant...
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...domain and function, each of them remain intertwined and attempt to answer basic questions of how the body and mind work together. The Four Major Psychological Perspectives The Psychodynamic Perspective The psychodynamic perspective was developed in the late nineteenth century by Sigmund Freud. He concluded that psychodynamic perspective has three key premises: 1. “People’s actions are determined by the way thoughts, feelings, and wishes are connected in their minds. 2. Many of these mental events occur outside of conscious awareness. 3. These mental processes may conflict with one another, leading to compromises among competing motives.” (Kowalski & Westen, 2011) The Psychological Perspective remains to this day heavily debated with physiologist supporting its study and other calling for its abandonment. The Behaviorist Perspective The Behaviorist Perspective was developed by accident, early in the twentieth century by Ivan Pavlov. McLeod (2007) “Behaviorism is primarily concerned with observable behavior, as opposed to internal events like thinking and emotion.” This perspective is that people have no free will and environment determines their behavior. New behaviors and reactions are learned through our interaction with our environment. We learn new behavior through traditional or operant conditioning over time (McLeod, 2007). Behaviorism was the dominant perspective in psychology...
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...1: Two Different Worldviews The Framework of Individual Psychology The Framework of Systemic Family Therapy Basic Concepts of Systems Theory and Cybernetics Family Therapy or Relationship Therapy? Summary Chapter 2: The Historical Perspective Planting the Seeds: The 1940s Cybernetics Development of Interdisciplinary Approaches Gregory Bateson Putting Down Roots: The 1950s Bateson (Continued) The Double-Bind Hypothesis Nathan Ackerman Murray Bowen Carl Whitaker Theodore Lidz Lyman Wynne Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy John Elderkin Bell Christian F. Midelfort Overview of the 1950s The Plant Begins to Bud: The 1960s Paradigm Shift The MRI Salvador Minuchin Other Developments Blossom Time: The 1970s Psychodynamic Approaches Natural Systems Theory Experiential Approaches Structural Approaches Strategic Approaches Communication Approaches Behavioral Approaches Gregory Bateson Connecting and Integrating: The 1980s Other Voices The Limits of History Controversy, Conflict, and Beyond: The 1990s The Feminist Critique Family Therapy and Family Medicine Integration and Metaframeworks Managed Care The Twenty-First Century: Continuing Concerns and Emerging Trends Summary Chapter 3: The Paradigmatic Shift of Systems Theory A Cybernetic Epistemology Recursion Feedback Morphostasis/Morphogenesis Rules and Boundaries Openness/Closedness Entropy/Negentropy ...
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...9 CHAPTER PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 348 CHAPTER OUTLINE module 29 Psychodynamic Approaches to Personality Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory: Mapping the Unconscious Mind The Neo-Freudian Psychoanalysts: Building on Freud Try It! The Life Orientation Test Projective Methods Behavioral Assessment Becoming an Informed Consumer of Psychology: Assessing Personality Assessments module 30 Trait, Learning, Biological and Evolutionary, and Humanistic Approaches to Personality Trait Approaches: Placing Labels on Personality Learning Approaches: We Are What We’ve Learned Biological and Evolutionary Approaches: Are We Born with Personality? Humanistic Approaches: The Uniqueness of You Try It! Assessing Your Real and Ideal Self-Concept Comparing Approaches to Personality module 32 Intelligence Theories of Intelligence: Are There Different Kinds of Intelligence? Practical Intelligence and Emotional Intelligence: Toward a More Intelligent View of Intelligence Assessing Intelligence Variations in Intellectual Ability Exploring Diversity: The Relative Influence of Genetics and Environment: Nature, Nurture, and IQ Psychology on the Web The Case of . . . Mike and Marty Scanlon, the Unlikely Twins Profiles of Success: Raymond J. Matlock Full Circle: Personality and Individual Differences module 31 Assessing Personality: Determining What Makes Us Distinctive Self-Report Measures of Personality Who was the Real Bernie Madoff? To some, Bernard L. Madoff was an affable, charismatic...
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...Chapter 1—What Is Psychology? Learning Goals 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Explain what psychology is and how it developed. Describe six contemporary approaches to psychology. Describe two movements that reflect a positive approach to psychology. Evaluate careers and areas of specialization in psychology. Apply some strategies that will help you succeed in psychology. After studying Chapter 1, you will be able to: Define psychology. Describe the influence that philosophy, biology, and physiology had on the beginnings of psychology as a science. Compare the two early scientific approaches in psychology: structuralism and functionalism. Describe the focus of each of the six contemporary approaches to psychology. Describe the positive psychology movement, and discuss why this movement recently emerged in psychology. Discuss career opportunities in psychology. Profile the main areas of specialization in psychology. Say how studying habits may be optimized. Understand how to be a critical thinker. CHAPTER 1: OUTLINE Psychology is a science dedicated to the study of behavior and mental processes. In this chapter you are introduced to the history of this science, a variety of contemporary perspectives in psychology, the positive psychology movement, and an overview of psychology-related careers. At the end of the chapter, the reader learns about the most effective methods of studying and learning. There are three concepts important to the definition of psychology: science, behavior, and mental...
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