RODRIGO, Myla Leonelle A.

Prof. Abigail De Luna

BS Psych II

Psych 52N, C23

August 9, 2011

AN EVALUATION ON THE FREUDIAN, JUNGIAN AND ADLERIAN THEORIES

I. INTRODUCTION
This critique evaluates three psychodynamic theories namely: (1) The
Psychoanalytic Theory of Sigmund Freud, (2) The Analytical Theory of Carl
Jung and (3) The Individual Psychology Theory of Alfred Adler.
Sigmund Freud identified three levels of mental life in his Psychoanalytic
Theoryunconscious, preconscious and conscious. Among the three it is in
the unconscious, which are made up of repressed early childhood
experiences that create high levels of anxiety, which largely influence
behavior, emotions and attitudes for years. Second, Carl Jung presented the
concept of collective unconscious that helps shape many of ones behaviors
and dreams. The collective unconscious is made up of what he termed as the
archetypes.

Third, Alfred Adler introduced the concept of striving for

superiority to account for most human motivation. He argued that we are

motivated to overcome feelings of helplessness that begin in infancy.
Many psychologists who studied with Freud (e.g. Carl Jung & Alfred Adler)
eventually broke away from Freuds group to develop their own theories of
personality and establish their own schools of psychology. Even so, they
retained many basic Freudian concepts and assumptions Jung and Adler
included something Freud did not able to do. Freud failed to recognize the
effect of social influences on ones personality.
The theory assessment will be based on the following criteria:
comprehensiveness, parsimony, applied value, heuristic value and research
value.

II. CRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE THEORIES

Sigmund Freuds Psychoanalytic Theory
A. Comprehensiveness. Freud was a genius for having been able to achieve
the

feat

which

few

to

none

have

equaled.

One

proof

of

the

comprehensiveness and broadness of his theory is the succeeding theories

after his time. These later theorists were able to narrow down, explain and
given more depth some concepts he failed to elaborate. He served as the
core and basis of most, if not all personality theories.
B. Parsimony. The structures of personality and the scious forces were quite
clear. However, his concept of psychosexual development remains quite
jumbled to me.
C. Applied Value. Despite its comprehensiveness, a large part of theory
remains impractical to solve day-to-day problems. Most concepts prove quite
useful in the psychotherapy setting only. The concept of defense
mechanisms, however is one of his concepts can be readily useful to
understand behaviors even by non-psychology majors.
D. Heuristic Value. His concept of character types is most intellectually
stimulating. It challenges you to think to confirm if it is true or not. But most
probably, after so many years, those concepts have already been empirically
tested.
E. Research Value. Post Freudian theorists, in my opinion, have more or less
exhausted all his concepts. They have already elaborated them. If you
examine their theories, they are more likely to refer directly on indirectly in
one way or another to the Psychoanalytical Theory. I cannot suggest anything
more.
Carl Jungs Analytical Theory
A. Comprehensiveness. One positive characteristic of this theory is it added a
new dimension to personality theory. He dealt with the mysterious aspects of
human personality which not many had done. Even though the collective
unconscious is not the only possible explanation in this area, Jung is one of

the few who made a serious attempt to include a broad scope of human
activity within a single theoretical framework
B. Parsimony. Jungs theory is quite difficult to understand, but so is human
personality. The concepts of archetype and the collective unconscious, the
core of Jungs theory has come from his own inner experiences. The
acceptance of these concepts lies more on faith than on experiential
evidence. Such statements may be acceptable to the artist or the theologian,
but it is not likely to be a hit among common people or beginners like me.
C. Applied Value. Jungs theory, in my opinion, does not do very well in this
area. The theory is not practical and can only be used by psychologists who
believe in the Jungian tenets. It may just help people understand and adjust
to lifes traumas.
D. Heuristic Value. The theory in general, serves to stimulate thinking.
Admittedly, it is hard to believe that his concepts truly are existing. I remain
quite doubtful of the theory. But then again, I may not have fully understood
his concepts or I have not reached that depth of thinking level yet.
E. Research Value. Due to the theorys abstract concepts making it quite
complex, I do not think people could easily generate research from Jungs
concept. But one could elaborate and may be simplify individual concepts and
the archetypes to make it more palatable to learners.
Alfred Adlers Individual Psychology
A. Comprehensiveness. In general, individual psychology is sufficiently broad
to explain for much of what is known as human behavior and development.
Even inconsistent behaviors can be fit into the framework for striving for
superiority. Adlers practical view of lifes problems allows us to rate his theory
high on its ability to make sense out of what we know about human behavior.
B. Parsimony. When taken as a whole, Adlers theory is very understandable.
One concept that I have not fully grasped is the Style of Life.
C. Applied Value. The theory is quite useful to psychologists, teachers and
parents. It gives solutions to practical problems in a variety of settings most

especially on the concepts of birth order, childhood difficulties and organ

deficiencies. These information can then be used to understand a persons
style and to apply those techniques that will both increase the persons
individual responsibility.
D. Heuristic Value. To me, his concept of striving for superiority and creative
power sparked my interest. It is quite refreshing to read that Adler did not only
try to explain mans purpose for his constant struggle but also included mans
role in achieving so. He did not focus on how man was shaped because of his
past. Instead, he tried to explain how one can look into the future to make
himself better.
E. Research Value. His theory can further be elaborated through additional
research pertaining to Social Interest and Birth Order, to name a few.
III.REFLECTION
Freud only acknowledged that early childhood experiences have a
significant effect on personality development. But later theorists argued that
later experiences, particularly in adolescence and early adulthood, are also
important in shaping personality.
Also, Freud did not put so much on the important social and cultural forces
that shape who we are. His theory is much more concentrated on the self
unlike others which included how interactions with others also affect the self.
In addition, Freud was unlike other contemporary theorists. They
presented a more positive view of humankind and the human personality.
Many spoke of growth experiences and the satisfaction people obtain from
reaching their potential. Let us take Adlers theory for example. While studying
it, in a way it encourages a person to strive for the good. It does not explicitly
say so but that is what its effect on me.
Despite the opposition of many later theorists about Freuds concepts, one
cannot deny how great his contribution in the area is. Even his detractors
works were in a way has some reference to Freudian concepts.
Contemporary theories were improvements and/or elaboration of the blind
spots of the Psychoanalytic Theory.

In Carl Jungs theory, however is more subjective and philosophical. In a book

I read, his theory in particular was based on questionable data. I think he has a
point. His is something not testable. Admittedly, my understanding of his
concepts is still shallow. I know the technical part onlydefinitions, diagram, etc.
However, in my mind the connections between those concepts are not fully laid.
Plus, I am quite disbelieving on how to apply that knowledge. One has yet to
reach a certain degree of contemplation before completely comprehend it.