Comparing Humanistic And Psychodynamic Research

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The world is filled with many unique individuals. There are multiple types of personalities, but each of them can only be analyzed through a few different perspectives. In this particular assignment, I will be comparing and contrasting the psychoanalytic and humanistic theories. Both of these perspectives include varying reasons individuals may consciously or unconsciously act in different ways responding to situations that demonstrate the unique personalities between each person. According to Friedman and Schustack (2010) the psychoanalytic theories focus on the structure of the mind: id, ego, and superego. These elements provide insight into the unique conscious and unconscious behavioral dynamics of humans (p. 64-65). The humanistic theory …show more content…

According to Friedman and Schustack (2010) the id holds the energy of the unconscious, which desires “the pleasure principle” and its only goal is to fulfill its impulses, the ego is mostly conscious awareness that has a large amount of power for personality that functions through “the reality principle; it must solve real problems”, and the superego is a personality trait that “develops to internalize social rules and guide goal-seeking behavior” (p. 64-65). While each of these offer a unique aspect of human behavior, it also demonstrates that with each individual, the influence of these elements will vary with each personality. Friedman and Schustack (2010) reveal that during evaluations a technique called free association is used to allow patients to say anything that comes to mind, which eventually focuses on dreams (p. 62). The authors also emphasize the importance of Freud’s psychosexual development and the unconscious defense mechanisms that contribute to personalities (p.75-86). According to Cooper (2008) “ Freud and his epochal discoveries concerning unconscious mental life remain the bedrock of psychoanalysis” (p. 26). Overall, there are the mental factors that affect people in unique ways; through personal experiences and unique environments an individual is in can have a large impact on the development or shifts in …show more content…

According to Friedman and Schustack (2010) this approach highlights the “creative, spontaneous, and active nature” or the conscious aspects of each person (p. 290). The authors reveal that an important characteristic of the humanistic theory lies in the deficiency needs that are key in surviving (p. 304). Every human has a need for food and water, a sense of security, to love and be loved, and to have a high esteem for self. Lacking these basic needs and instincts will cause someone to be less likely or unable to successfully work their way up the levels to self-actualization. According to Myers (2013) Carl Rogers’ places much of life’s personal growth on three main traits: (1) genuineness-being open with personal feelings and allowing people into their life, (2) acceptance- having consideration, respect, and satisfaction even through personal failures, and (3) empathy- sharing and having the ability to relate with other (p. 544). If someone was not exposed to these elements during childhood, it may explain some negative traits of a personality and have an affect on someone’s matured personality later in

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