Comparison Of Theorist Comparison

Comparison of Theorists
Comparison of Theorists From the point where Sigmund Freud’s structuralization of the human psyche rose and fell; the Neo-Freudian theoretical perspective grew and progressed. Explicitly, Freud’s conceptual base of sexuality or instinctual determinants was limited. However, his followers took a more open and inclusive stance, all the while recognizing his contributions to psychology (Burger, 2010). Therefore, in order to recount the contributions that were made by a few of these major Neo-Freudians this discourse will juxtapose Freud’s theoretical perspectives, major concepts, and approach to therapy to those of the following theorists: (a) Carl G. Jung, (b) Alfred Adler, (c) Karen Horney, and (d)
In addition (and in opposition to Freudian thought) Jung like many of the other Neo-Freudians posited that the human personality is malleable and continues to be developed throughout life. He also maintained that Freud’s concept of libido was a broader term that should be applied to the meaning of life forces or energies, whereas Freud argued that libido referred to sexual desire or energy. Further, some of Jung’s less popularized contributions include his principle of psychosynthesis which describes the process of conjoining different components of the unconscious such as material from dreams, imagination, and base actions with a personality (Carter, 2011; Stein, 2010). Jung applied the term constructive to this type of structure as opposed to Freud 's applied meaning, which he termed as a reductive process (Carter, 2011; Burger, 2010). Jung’s teleological approach to analytical research and therapy set him apart not only from Freudian thought, but also from all other Neo-Freudian perspectives including Alfred Adler. Coincidentally, Adler was the first analyst to depart from the Freudian school of psychology. Explicitly, the concept of interpersonal interactions (in direct opposition to Freud’s instinctual determinants) was a major dividing point. Although, Adler’s approach to therapy retained Freud’s analytical framework, there are many recognizable
In essence, he proposed that there are eight stages of development that span over a person’s lifetime. Moreover, these ages (stages) in one’s life are met with introspective and interpersonal type conflicts or “crises” that persuade an individual’s maturation if successfully navigated; hence, Erikson’s term “identity crisis” (Burger, 2010, p.106). Explicitly, these periods of life represent an individual’s personality development from the perspective of self-conception and social identity. Thus, Erikson’s concepts form what has been called ego psychology, personal psychology, and psychosocial psychology. In other words, the ego (unlike Freud’s ego) is viewed by Erikson as having autonomous abilities and is associated with both inner and outer or behavioral conflicts. This type of perspective veers from the Freudian doctrine for several reasons. Foremost, it centers on social and environmental influences. Secondly, it presents a positive view of human psychological development. And thirdly, it offers a more testable theory (Burger,