Psychoanalytic Theory
In brief, psychoanalytic theory sees the working of our minds and emotions as a produ.::t of the dynamic interaction between our instincts and the counterforces set up by the external environrl1ent. As a method of psychotherapy developed by Freud it involves uncovering the individual's conflicts, repressed memories, sexual hangups, and many such difficulties. Its aim is to help t:1e individual understand and reeducate llimself or herself.
Freud developed the psychoanalytic theory from the study of poorly adjusted people. He saw the primary source of behavior as sexual with the ger.erating energy being what he called the libido, an instinctive pleasure-seeking drive. The term "sexual" in here refers to any type of physically pleasurable activity. As for personality, Freudian theory divides the personality structure into the id (a division of the psyche from which come impersonal impulses that demand immediate gratification); the ego ("the self" that is in contact with the external world); and the superego (the conscience, or moral standards of society). The theory deals with personality development caught up in all its' conflicts as we pass through the various stages from infancy to old age. As both theory and practice, psychoanalysis has undergone many changes by such analysts as Alfred Adler, Carl Jung, Erich Fromm, and Karen Horney.
Adler .gave emphasis to the universal feeling of inferiority, stressing the social rather than the biological determinants of personality. For him, the prime source of motivation is the innate striving :or superiority, to "perfect oneself." Jung introduced the dimension of in troversion-extroveTsion which has led to the identification of such factors as social introversion, thinking introversion, and depression
E the one hand, and the happy-go-lucky mood on the other. Jung escribed the introvert as being subjective with an interest in ideas and a lively imagination; he may be sensitive and idealistic. The extrovert was described as oriented toward the world of things c:nd events, tough-minded, realistic, and practical. But the division be:ween the two personalities was never meant tv be rigid. Most people are a blend of extrovert and introvert.
Fromm says man is a product of society. When he cannot cope '\vith society he suffers, becomes unreasonable. He emphasized that social conditions reach beyond family influences, a good society being one in which human needs are met and despair is avoided. Social systems thus help form personality. Horney brought in an emphasis ')n compliant, aggressive, and detached types of people; she makes anxiety the' basic concept rather than the sexual and aggressive :mpulses descriced by Freud. Man has "neurotic neerls" for affection. and approval, for self-sufficiency and independence. They are neurotic in the sense that tbey come to dominate the person.
