Personality theorists such as Sigmund Freud, Carl G. Jung, and Alfred
Adler developed theories to explain personality. Comparing and contrasting such
psychoanalytic theories will help decide what characteristics of these theories
to agree and disagree with. Also, of importance are the stages of Freud’s
theory and Freudian defense mechanisms.
Comparing and Contrasting the
Psychoanalytic Theories of Freud, Jung, and Adler
Freud,
Jung, and Adler developed critical and important psychoanalytic theories in
regard to the development of personality. Freud held the belief that the
development of personality occurred in stages related to erogenous zones, and
that failure of completion of any stage successfully resulted in personality
problems in adulthood. Also, Freud held the belief that the development of
personality was barely by choice or of no choice. Jung also held the belief
that personality developed in stages that peaked with individuation or
self-realization, also referred to as analytical psychology; however, Jung
disagreed with Freud’s beliefs (Feist & Feist, 2009). Of importance was
ages of 35 to 40 or the second half of life; whereas, opportunities arose to
use particular elements of personality for obtaining self-realization. Also, in
disagreement with Freud, Adler held the belief that individuals held the
responsibility who they were or who they became in regard to personality.
Freud’s
Psychoanalytic Theory
In regard to Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory it takes into account
that the mind occurs at differing levels, that is, the unconscious,
preconscious, and conscious levels. The unconscious level possesses drives and
instincts that individuals are unaware of; however, they are motives for
actions, that is, in regard to words and feelings. In this regard, individuals
possess consciousness of unconcealed behaviors, but they are unaware of the
mental processes involved with behaviors that are overt. The preconscious level
contains elements that are not conscious thoughts at first; however, such
elements may manifest into consciousness willingly or with a level of difficulty.
Consciousness has a minuscule role within Freud’s theory; however,
consciousness involves mental elements that individuals have awareness of at no
particular moment-in-time.
In regard to provinces of the mind,
Freud’s belief was that three elements, that is, the id, the ego, and the
superego were the elements of personality. Freud believed that the id was the
center of personality and was an unconscious psychical region. The id is
without a means of connecting with reality; however, the id constantly exerts
an effort toward the reduction of tension by satisfying basic or essential
needs and desires (Feist & Feist, 2009). Although, when the goal of
satisfaction is unattainable a state of anxiety or tension are the end results.
The id maintains the function of servicing the pleasure principle; therefore,
pleasure seeking is the sole purpose of the id. In regard to the ego, governed
by the reality principle, which is the pleasure principle of the id makes an
effort toward substituting for the pleasure principle of the id. Also, secondary
functioning processes occur in the ego. The ego is the sole region of the mind
making contact with any notion of reality and develops in infancy as a result
of the id.
The ego develops into the sole means of communication between the
mind and reality. Therefore, because of this connection, the ego possesses the
ability of being the decision-maker of personality. It makes decisions on the conscious,
preconscious, and unconscious levels of personality because it is partially
unconscious, preconscious, and conscious. In regard to the superego, it is a depiction
of personality’s moral and ideal elements (Feist & Feist, 2009). Governed
by moralistic and idealistic principles, the superego develops as a result of
the ego; however, the superego does not possess the energy or lacks energy
unlike the ego. The superego demands perfection that is unrealistic because it
lacks a connection with reality, also unlike with the ego. The subsystems of
the superego are the ego-ideal and conscience. As a result of receiving rewards
for ideal behavior the ego-ideal develops and it relays what behavior should occur.
As a result of experiences of punishment in regard for abnormal
behaviors, conscience develops and it is as a reference for guiding what
behavior should not occur. The superego’s purpose is as for a means of control
for sexual and aggressive impulses. However, it cannot produce processes of
repression; therefore, it orders the ego to do so (Feist & Feist, 2009).
Jung’s
Analytic Psychology
In regard to Jung’s Analytic Psychology, he took into account that
the psyche or mind was split into three areas; the conscious ego, the personal
unconscious, and the collective unconscious (Friedman & Schustack, 2012).
The ego developed around four years age is similar to Freud’s belief of the
ego, and is conscious element of personality embodying a sense of self. The
personal unconscious holds feelings as well as thoughts that are not aspects of
the conscious awareness; although, thoughts are accessible (Friedman &
Schustack, 2012). Friedman and Schustack (2012), “the personal unconscious
contains thoughts and urges that are simply unimportant at present as well as
those that have been actively repressed because of their ego-threatening
nature” (p. 109). The collective unconscious consists of unconsciousness that
is at deeper level and comprised of archetypes or emotional transpersonal
symbols that are powerful.
Friedman and Schustack (2012), “the presence of such archetypes or
emotional patterns predisposes us to react in predictable ways to common,
recurring stimuli” (p. 109). Adler developed Individual Psychology because of
his beliefs that individuals’ motivations were unique and because of how
important individuals’ perceived niche is in society (Friedman & Schustack,
2012).
Adler’s
Individual Psychology
Adler believed that striving for superiority is personality’s
central core. Therefore, individuals will feel inferior when overwhelmed with a
sense of helplessness, and when experiencing events that leave them with a
sense of powerlessness. An inferiority complex will develop when feelings
become pervasive (Friedman & Schustack, 2012). Individuals may fabricate a
superiority complex to maintain a sense of self-worth when they struggle to
overcome an inferiority complex. In regard to human motivations Adler’s beliefs
changed over time; therefore, his theory changed. Alder developed the concepts
of organ inferiority, aggression drive, masculine protest, and perfection
striving; as well as the identifying fundamental social issues such as
occupational, societal, and love tasks with the evolution of his theory.
Agreed and Disagreed upon Characteristics
In regards to agreement of characteristics of theories, agreement
occurs with Jung’s notion that development of personality still occurred into
adulthood, and partially with Adler in regard to individuals being responsible
for their own personality. Disagreement occurs with Freud’s notion that stages of
development related to erogenous zones and with the notion that the development
of personality was without choice.
The Stages of Freud’s Theory and
Characteristics of Personality
In
regard to Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, he developed stages of personality
development; whereas he assumed the development of personality indeed occurred
in stages. The more so crucial developmental stage is the infantile stage that occurs
in the first four or five years of development; whereas, infants possess a
sexual life. During this stage an infant will progress through a developmental
period of sexuality referred to as pregenital. Three phases occur during this
stage referred to as the oral, the anal, and the phallic phases. What occurs in
the oral, anal, and phallic phases is that the main erogenous zone progresses
through salient development. The mouth is the particular erogenous zone during
the oral phase. While the anus is the particular erogenous zone during the anal
phase and the penis is the particular erogenous zone during the phallic phase.
The infantile stage yields insight into how personality develops through each
phase and why particular behaviors occur.
Uses of Freudian Defense Mechanisms
Freudian defense mechanisms are processes distorting reality as a
means of protecting the ego (Friedman & Schustack, 2011). One defense
mechanism is repression; which is a means of using the unconscious to store threatening
thoughts. For instance, rape victims who do not seek psychological help after
instances of rape repress instances of rape as a means of forgetting what
occurred to not relive the instance of rape. Another defense mechanism is
reaction formation; which is a means of pushing away threatening impulses
through overemphasis the opposite in actions and thoughts. For instance a
married man would overemphasis the meaning of commitment within marriage to
other individuals, but however he or she may be partaking in an extramarital
affair(s). Also, denial is another defense mechanism; which is a means of
refusing to acknowledge stimuli that provoke anxiety. For instance, individuals
may deny that instances of gambling provokes anxiety but continue to do so as a
means for personal gain.
Conclusion
Psychoanalytic
theories, such as those developed by Freud, Jung, and Adler serve a critical
purpose of explaining the development of personality for varying perspectives. These
theories provide insight into understanding personality. To gain further
insight into Freud’s thoughts of personality development, understanding the
stages of his theory is a necessity. Repression, reaction formation, and denial
are instances of defense mechanisms that individuals use for real-life purposes
as a means to distort reality in order to protect the ego in regard to Freud’s
work as well.
Friedman, H. S., & Schustack, M. W., (2011).
Personality. Classic Theories and Modern Research (5th ed.). Allyn & Bacon.
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