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1. Introduction
In the course of finding an effective treatment for patients with neurotic and hysterical
symptoms, the method of Psychoanalysis was devised by Viennese neurologist Sigmund
Freud, in the 1890s. How it happened so, is that once on a visit to Paris, Freud was
introduced to the method of hypnosis to treat patients with hysterical symptoms. He used
the method for some time but gradually realized that it was unnecessary to hypnotize
patients, and moved on to the technique of free association. This technique required
patients to simply talk whatever was coming to their minds and describe it simply. Freud
found this method useful in understanding the causes of his patients' problems and this
conclusion of his in turn led to forming the basis of all Freud's observations and the
establishment of one of the most influential theories of personality; The Psychoanalytic
Theory. He suggested that behaviour is determined by the unconscious mind, a reservoir
of repressed impulses and desires, of which the waking mind is completely unaware, but
establishes the way we think, feel, and act.
The theory of Psychoanalysis as presented by Freud focuses on the following major
concepts:
Theories of Personality
Theories of Personality
2. Evaluation
Freud's psychoanalytic theory, coming as it did at the turn of the century, provided a
completely new approach to the analysis and treatment of abnormal adult behaviour.
Earlier views tended to ignore behaviour and looked for a physiological explanation of
"abnormality" instead. The uniqueness of Freud's approach was in identifying that
neurotic behaviour is not random or meaningless but goal-oriented. Thus, by looking for
the purpose behind any "abnormal" behavioural patterns, the analyst was given a method
for understanding behaviour as meaningful and informative, without denying its
physiological aspects.
3. Criticism
Carl Jung, for a time looked upon by Freud as his successor. Jung however, finding
himself in much disagreement with Freud, soon broke away from the psychoanalytic
group. He believed that the nature of libido was more of a life force, which in turn could
be expressed sexually but not primarily be called sexual in nature.
Alfred Adler, broke off his association with Freud in about 1911, and like Jung, disagreed
with Freud's description of the libido and its sexual nature. He argued that man is
motivated primarily by social drives, and introduced the concept of 'inferiority complex.'
He emphasized that social factors are the ones that in actuality affect personality as
opposed to the unconscious mental processes as suggested by Freud.
The established theory of Freudian psychoanalysis was challenged in the 1920s by Otto
Rank, Sandor Ferenczi, and Wilhelm Reich; later, in the 1930s, by Karen Horney, Erich
Fromm, and Harry Stack Sullivan. These critics stressed the interpersonal aspect of the
analyst-patient relationship, and placed more emphasis on the processes of the ego.
Although Horney recognized and agreed with Freud on many issues, she was also critical
of him on several key beliefs. Freud's idea of "penis envy" in particular was subject to
Theories of Personality
Conclusion
Despite a number of disbelievers and lack of controlled research, Psychoanalysis
remained the most widely used methods of psychotherapy until at least the 1950s.
Though, some aspects of this particular theory have been questioned since the 1970s on
the basis of their limited applicability to women and to people from non-Western
cultures. There is, however, general agreement that psychoanalytic approaches work well
for certain types of patients. In particular, these approaches are recommended for patients
with neurotic conflicts.
Theories of Personality
References
Feist, Jess.
Theories of Personality / Jess Feist, Gregory J. Feist. Sixth Edition.
Freud: Psychoanalysis, 15-46
Radford, John & Govier, Ernest.
A Textbook of Psychoogy, Fifth Impression.
Personality, 534-538
Feldman, Robert S.
Understanding Psychology, Fourth Edition
Personality, 466-473
Freudian Psychology and Psychoanalysis
Accessed on September 30, 2007 from the URL:
<http://www.kheper.net/topics/psychology/Freud.html>
The Psychoanalytic Theory of Sigmund Freud
Accessed on September 30, 2007 from the URL:
<http://www.radford.edu/~jmontuor/361Slides_1_Freud_files/v3_document.htm>
A Brief Outline of Psychoanalysis- Freud
Accessed on September 30, 2007 from the URL:
<http://www.panix.com/~squigle/at/psycho.html >
Psychoanalysis
Accessed on September 30, 2007 from the URL:
<http://www.questia.com/read/101266155 >
Karen Horney
Accessed on September 30, 2007 from the URL:
<http://www.answers.com/topic/karen-horney>
Theories of Personality