Allowing for different theories, allows
for different perspectives, and since there are such a vast array of
personalities that vary widely, the fact that there are so many theories helps
one have a better understanding of oneself. The best way one can analyze
personality is by choosing two and comparing them against one another. When one does this, one can observe strengths
and weaknesses; view assumptions; as well as limitations about what is
considered when attempting to provide people with the explanation of what
personality is. Narrowing down the
choice is complicated as there are many motivating theories that can explain
why one does what he or she does. Sigmund
Freud’s work helps when attempting to discuss personality because of his
assumptions and propositions in personality.
So how does this show about Freud?
While he is the best-known theorist when one begins to study
personality, he also is criticized immensely for his beliefs regarding
personality. By choosing two of Freud’s
theories, one can find our just how interesting and ahead of his time he really
was. By choosing two theories, it makes
for easier research and a deeper comprehension of the subject matter. Here there will be the ideas of Karen Horney
examined. This will give one the
opportunity to see how they are different from one another. By doing this one can have a clearer
understanding of one’s personality.
The Psychoanalytic Theory of Sigmund
Freud
It is safe to say that not only is
Freud’s theory interesting, but his personality was one to be marveled at as
well. In early years Freud was a
determined medical doctor. He is
credited with discovering cocaine. Because
he was unable to complete his work on the newly discovered drug, he was not
credited with the research because a colleague was. He more than likely was upset over this,
however he was destined to a higher deed in the foreseeable future. This deed was enabling a better understanding
of one’s personality and then being credited with the progress of
psychoanalysis, the most well-known personality theory (Feist & Feist, 2009).
Freud recognized that there must be some
sort of ‘power’ that is responsible for one’s emotion. Freud says this ‘power’ is a psychic energy
which everyone possesses thus the body as well as one’s mind is a mechanistic
energy system. This specific form of
energy consists of instinct but this instinct remains the same throughout life
and the pleasure it releases when this energy is expelled. Also note that Freud resolved that the mind
is divided into three parts. These three
parts based on Sigmund Freud, are the conscious, the unconscious, and the
preconscious. In the conscious mind
there are parts, which he labeled feelings, thoughts and memory of which one is
aware. In the unconscious mind, there
are mental processes, which most are not aware, as well as intentionally
suppressed mental processes where as the preconscious mind holds information
that can be retrieved. Besides these
three parts, there are three different parts that go to one’s personality. Freud designated them to be id, ego, and
superego. Superego is societal ideas and
rules and can be unconscious or conscious.
Ego is the most sturdy of one’s personality and is the most
conscious. Freud thinks of id, as one’s
unconscious and mostly biological in nature.
He took his idea one step further and said that personality goes through
psychosexual stages. The stages prior to
the age of six are phallic, anal, oral, latent and genital (Cloninger, 2008).
The Psychoanalytic Social Theory of Karen
Horney
Horney placed the same emphasis on society,
as did Adler and Erikson before her. She
based her theory on assumptions that were made by cultural conditions that sway
one’s personalities development. Horney
knew of Freud’s assumptions when related to gender. In they eyes of Horney, biology only
determined the sex of a person and that one’s culture has the last word when
noting acceptance by the male race or female race. Karen wholeheartedly
believed that culture determined how one turns out and it is gender by which it
is defined. Just as Freud did, Horney
believed in the unconscious mind. The
unconscious plays a pivotal role in how one turns our personality wise. However, she also laid blame on one’s
childhood and the fact one could fell unloved and neglected as a youth. The less a parent cared for a child the more
hostility would be shown she theorized.
A child will try and resolve this issue in three basic ways. The child will move away from him or her,
move against him or her, or the child will move towards him or her. If the child has a healthy personality, these
three will all work, but if he or she is anxious, none of these will work. Because Horney focused on the neurotic,
research was done on how a neurotic patient worked through conflict. The patient has four basic tactics
externalization, eclipsing, idealized self, and detachment. Karen’s theory was her own, while it did not
expand on Freud, it did forge a path for researchers in neuroticism (Feist & Feist, 2009).
Theory
Differences
Karen Horney did not only differ in
gender, but also in her inspiring thoughts on personality than did Freud. Both theorists are important as well as
interesting. Point is they both
differ. They both agree that childhood
is important in development and the difference is that Freud felt that
everyone’s personality is fully developed by the age of six. Freud also suggested that parents play a
vital role in this development where as Horney thought that the love shared is
strong enough to create his or her personality.
Horney also felt that the social conditions and culture are a part of
the cause of one’s personality. Horney
and Freud butted heads on the gender.
Freud suggested that men and women have different personalities; Horney
suggests that his thoughts were bias.
Turning to cultural and social aspects defining personality. Neither one felt it was free will that shaped
personality. Biology was where free will
fell in the mind of Sigmund Freud, and Karen Horney believed it was again the
culture and social surroundings. However
the two did agree that the unconscious mind was powerful and played an immense
role in the development of personality (Cloninger,
2008).
Conclusion
When writing as this did comparing the
two different theories, it allows one to not only appreciate the work of the
contributor, but it helps one understand each perspective. By breaking down the theories, one can
visually see the strengths and weaknesses on both sides as well as see
assumptions are made as well as various limitations that are encountered. For Freud personality formation stems from
biology, Horney thought of the culture, and social environment. While the other side of that coin is Horney
suggestion that neurotic individuals were case studies limited her excluding
healthy individuals in her studies. Nevertheless,
they could agree on one thing, the importance of one’s childhood and the role
that the unconscious mind plays in it.
Sadly there may never be just one theory
that will be able to explain the complexness of one’s personality and the
personality of others. By studying them,
one can see the different perspectives the theorists have and how they play an
important role in defining personality.
References
Cloninger, S.(2008). Theories of
personality: Understanding persons
(5th.ed.). Upper
Saddle River, New
Jersey: Pearson Education,
Inc.
Feist, J., & Feist, G. J. (2009). Theories
of personality (7th. ed.). New York City, New York: McGraw-Hill.
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