Varieties Of Personality Theory - Essay Example

Comparison of Theories Comparison of Theories Introduction Who are we? This is a question and inquiry that countless people have tried to offer an answer to for a long time now. The need to know whom we are now and what we will be in the future was the main driving force towards invention of these theories. Thinkers of the world have invested quite a lot of time as they tried to explain the personality of humans. This paper has put a lot together to try and compare and contrast between the Freudian and the Neo-Freudian theories. Focus has been brought to the theoretical part of these theories, the concepts and their different ways of approach to therapy (Erwin, 2002). The Freudian theory Freud developed one of the most known works of psychology. Hi venture into the issue on personality and the behavior of humans, has helped in making people understand whom they are, why there are how there, their sexuality and the way of thinking and relating to the environment (Hendrik, 1964). . Freud’s theory touched on three major concepts which includes: Id Ego Superego Defense mechanisms According to Freud, there are several perspectives to which personality can be looked at. His Psychoanalysis perspective is one of the ways that this paper aims at explaining. In this theory, Freud emphasizes that one has a conscience and an unconscious part of their childhood, which prevail, and still manifest even after one reaches adulthood. According to Freud, the psychoanalysis perspective of the theory showed that three concepts. I.e. Id, ego, superego, still reappear in people’s lives and shape lives and personalities. Id In this concept, one tends to be more concerned about whom there are in terms of their identity. Therefore, in this concept one tries to unconsciously satisfy his or her pleasures such as sexual, self-esteem and aggressive behavior. He compares the mind with an iceberg where the tip of it represents the conscious mind while the huge bottom part as the unconscious mind. However, this perspective maintains that the Id part, has the largest part of the unconscious mind, and it dictates what people unconsciously desire. Ego This part dictates what the Id wants and strives at making it a reality in various ways. At times, the reality may come in safe and acceptable means, in the society, while as for insane persons; the medium for achieving these desires might be different. Someone’s Ego according to Freud is responsible for viewing life in a different way and making sure that the desires of both Id and Superego are satisfied. Superego At this point, the mind is said to be conscious as it makes the required judgment for the person and also, form future aspirations for the same. Defense mechanism The unconscious mind distorts the reality in such a way that the anxiety one had. Through Repression, one’s anxiety is lost and thus brings about memories from unconscious minds (Erwin, 2002). Psychodynamic perspective This relates to the development of a person. According to Freud it is evident that he tries to explain why persons behave in various ways during their young ages. Oral stage: At this stage, Freud explains that children experience the world through their mouths as adults experience the same through actions such as nail biting and overreacting. Anal stage: At this stage, children learn how to use the toilet, which is all about knowing what to give out as information and what to keep. Also, at times, one may become disorganized and less protective of their own self and information. Phallic stage: According to Freud, at this point children fantasize about being parents. This is then followed by the urge to be with an opposite sex in boys and girls (Erwin, 2002). Carl Jung theory Jung’s view on personality theory by Freud is much similar in various ways. However, Jung has a different way of explaining what mind is made up of. He believed that human minds were responsible in bringing about self-cure and also that the minds of people can communicate. According to Jung, the Ego consists of three more sub groups which are the conscious, personal conscious and the collective conscious. Different from what Freud explained as the main driver for human personality, Jung insists that other factors prevails. Freud had talked of libido been the main factor but, Jung disagrees with his argument and maintains that other important principles take over as one approaches old age. Indifferent from Freud’s theory, Jung identifies the feminine side of males as “anima” and the masculine side of the females as “animus”. Also, the shadow archetype as the dark sides that humans try to hide from the society. A person has what he wants to be recognized with, but also he or she has what he hide from the world (Nuttin, 1962). Alfred Adler Adler represented the individual psychology. His theory on personality and the behavior of humans differ from Freud’s in various ways. However, there is still some similarities in their theories. According to Freud, libido was the main driving force and sole motivating factor in human’s personality. He believes that other factors also motivated people. In Adler’s theory, (individual psychology) it is evident that he believes in nature at which people try to overcome their inferiority by trying to be perfect and superior that their peers. Karen Horney Horney’s view on personality is also different from Freud’s. She totally disagrees with Freud’s theory. According to Freud, sexuality is a driver for a person’s behaviors and the way of living as they drive motive and aspirations in humans. However, this is not the belief that Horney has on the same issue. She believes that environmental factors are the main influence on how people behave. She goes ahead and explains that culture influence how different people behave and relate to each other in the society. To support this statement, Horney says that children who show hostility in their childhood is most likely due to parental neglect. Erik Erickson His theory well known as psychosocial theory, is in sync with most of Freud’s although, it disagrees with several beliefs of the same. According to his theory, persons Ego identity changes from time to time. This is because of the constant different experiences we get every day by relating and interacting with different people. Therefore, people develop their conscious sense through their daily social interaction with people. Unlike Freud, Erickson believe that competence to be able to fit in the society, drives and motivates personality in humans. He explains his theory in stages to summarize the lifespan of a person. Approach to therapy According to Freud, he advised approach to therapy in his own way. This was as he understood it. He advocates the use of his theory to make the “unconscious minds conscious” this was mainly aimed at releasing most of the repressed emotions, feelings and experiences. Freud’s psychoanalysis has been used to in treating many depression and anxiety disorders in the society (Erwin, 2002). Unlike Freud, all the other Neo Freudian had their own ways of explaining how their theories would be used in therapy. According to Jung, therapy should be used in communicating with the unconscious and thus, interpret the various images that we get in dreams and fantasies. Therefore, Jung’s theory helps us understand the images that the unconscious send us through myths and dreams. Horney disputed Freud’s way of conducting therapy in present day. According to her, she suggested for self-analysis. Through her own argument, she advocated for self-analysis since everyone has a better understanding of their own human self. This implies that a therapy to oneself is much better as one gives it her all. According to Adler, we all desire to be significant and have a sense of belonging. Therefore, he advocates his theory to be used in the counseling were by clients and patients are required to overcome their fears and redirect their desire for significance to helpful social sources. References Erwin, E. (2002). The Freud encyclopedia: theory, therapy, and culture. New York: Routledge. Hendrik Marinus, R. (1964). Varieties of personality theory. New York: Dutton. Nuttin, J. (1962). Psychoanalysis and personality; a dynamic theory of normal personality. New York: New American Library. Read More