Two Approaches In Psychology

Two Approaches In Psychology

In 1900, Sigmund Freud, a neurologist living in Vienna, first

published his psychoanalytic theory of personality in which the

unconscious mind played a crucial role. Freud combined the then

current cognitive notions of consciousness, perception and memory with

ideas of biologically based instincts, to make a bold new theory of

psychodynamics. Freud's theory, which forms the basis of the

psychodynamic approach, represented a challenge and a major

alternative to behaviourism.

Freud's theory of personality was based on the assumption that all our

behaviour stems from the unconscious processes. He divided the

personality into three different parts. The id, the ego and the

superego, which are often in conflict. The id operates on the pleasure

principle and seeks immediate gratification. The ego obeys the reality

principle and plans for the future. The superego is conscious and

makes us aware of moral standards.

Freud believed that people have a continuous stream of psychic energy.

He called this constant psychic energy the libido, reflecting that the

sex drive was a primary life instinct (Eros). Freud later believed we

were driven by the death drive (Thantos), which is energy manifest in

aggression. If a forbidden act or impulse is repressed, the energy

will seek an other outlet, such as in dreams or neurotic symptoms.

Freud believed we went through several personality developmental

stages in the primary years. He called these stages the psychosexual

stages. During each stage the pleasure seeking impulses of the id

focus on a particular area of the body. The first year of life, Freud

called t...

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Although there are clear divisions in these two approaches. There is

no doubt that the perspectives and the research have contributed a

great deal to understanding both human and animal behaviours. However,

it is worth remembering that psychology is a dynamic science. New

theories, notions and experiments are conducted everyday. As

technology advances so does the field of psychology. Psychology needs

to be studied from all perspectives and an objective frame of mind is

needed to attain a greater understanding of ourselves and the world we

live in.

Bibliography

Brain C. (2000) Approaches and Methods. Nelson and Thornes Ltd. UK

Jarvis M. (et el) (2000) Angles on Psychology. Stanley and Thornes

Ltd. UK

Atkinson R.L. (et el) An Introduction to Psychology. (1981) Harcourt

Brace College Publishers. USA