Introduction to Neo-Freudian Psychology: The Evolution Beyond Freud's Theories

1. IAS1162 – Lecture #3 The psychoanalytic approach – Ne0-Freudian

2. Introduction • Sigmund Freud ‘started’ the theories in psychology • Many other scholars became his followers • Some had differences and broke away from Freud and carried on with their own theories • Mostly just a ‘continuation’ of Freud’s theories • These scholars are called “Neo-Freudians”

3. Disagreement with Freud’s theories • Rejection on ideas that adult personality stems from only the first 5-6 years of life • Acknowledge that early childhood experience have a significant effect • Argues that later experiences, particularly in in adolescence and early adulthood are also important in shaping personality

4. … cont’d … • Challenge Freud’s emphasis on instinctual sources of personality • Argued that Freud failed to recognize many of the important social and cultural forces that shape who we are • Freud attributed many of the differences between men and women are just biological • A neo-Freudian theorist argued that culture play a large role in creating these differences

5. … cont’d • Negative tone of Freudian theory • The concentration on the dark side of human personality by Freud • Presentation of a more positive view of humankind and human personality • Constructive functions of the ego and emphasized the role of conscious rather than unconscious determinants of behavior • Other theorists spoke of growth experience and satisfaction people obtain from reaching their potential

6. Alfred Adler • The first member of the psychoanalytic group created by Freud to break away • First had a good relationship with Freud but turned sour over a lot of disagreement • Several member followed him when he left • Formed a new society and created individual psychology

7. Striving for Superiority • Key difference between Freud and Adler was description of human motivation • Freud depicted motivation in terms of sexual and aggressive themes • Alder identified a single motivating force called striving for superiority • Striving for superiority begins with feelings of inferiority • Everybody starts with a profound sense of inferiority • Expected from a weak and helpless child – dependent on larger and stronger adults • Awareness on weakness drives one to overcome

8. … cont’d … • Everything we do is designed to establish a sense of superiority over life’s obstacles • Why do we work so hard to obtain good grades, to excel in athletics, to reach a position of power? • Freud describes the motives driving a successful businessman in terms of sublimation • Defeating business rivals satisfies an unconscious desire to compete • Adler saw business success as an expression of superiority striving

9. … cont’d … • Excessive feelings of inferiority has the opposite effect – inferiority complex • Vastly inferior to everybody else • Feelings of helplessness rather than upward drive to establish superiority • People who develop this run away from challenges rather than work to overcome it

10. Your Job • Read on • Adler’s “Parental Influence on Personality Development and Birth Order theories” • The Psychoanalytic theories of • Carl Jung – The Collective Unconscious & Archetypes • Erik Erikson – Concept of the Ego • Karen Horney –Neurosis & Feminine Psychology • I will ask you in the next online quiz

11. Let’s do Jeopardy! BE PREPARED FOR NEXT MONDAY’S ACTIVITIES!!!!