Raxton Ramble: Psychodynamic Personality Theories Matrix

PSY 405 Personality Theories

September 2, 3013

Theory

Assumptions

Reliability

Validity

Application

Psychoanalytic Theory

Also known as Freudian theories; Freud suggested that unconscious influences stem from repressed childhood experiences, sexual, and aggression motivations. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of the conscious, unconscious, and preconscious as the main source of behavior development.

Because many of the theories are not scientifically sound reliability is inconsistent because of the subjectivity; however, many psychologists continue to use the psychoanalytical theories of Freud and his followers in theory and in practice.

Although many of Freud’s theories do not fall within the realm of falsifiable, his work with the conscious and unconscious human psyche has the validity and respect of the psychological society that has withstood the test of time.

Currently, Freud’s psychoanalytic therapies are still in practice; Although modifications have been made to the application of his original thought processes (Feist & Feist, 2009). Psychoanalysts’ use the various methods to help patients develop insight regarding maladaptive perspectives tied to unconscious thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (e.g., hysteria, anxiety, and depressive disorders).

Individual Psychological Theory

According to Feist and Feist (2009) “Adler believed that people are basically self-determined and that they shape their personalities from the meaning they give to their experiences” (p. 95). Adlerian theory takes into account human drives for social and professional success as the motivation for personality development; however, he suggests that although personalities develop during early childhood, people can change personality styles throughout his or her life (Feist & Feist, 2009).

Self-actualization has been widely accepted within the psychological realm; however because of their subjectivity these theories do not stand up to the falsification standard of reliability but have indeed produced much research.

As with Freud’s theories, Adler’s theories also remain somewhat subjective, thus difficult to validate; however, many of the application of the Adlerian theories remain in effect today.

The practical application of individual psychology involves family constellation, early recollections, dreams, and psychotherapy (Feist & Feist, 2009). Family constellation involves the personalities according to birth order. Adler also suggests that early childhood recollections, whether real or fantasy are made to express consistency in one’s present life yielding clues to understand one’s goals and lifestyle. Dreams, although not accurate in predicting the future, provide images of existing anxieties, however deceptive they may be. Psychotherapy, according to Feist and Feist (2009) is designed to “enhance courage, lessen feelings of inferiority, and encourage social interest” (p. 89).

Analytical Psychological Theory

Jung’s analytical theory is based on opposing forces, neither wholly introverted or extraverted, male or female that the persona is but a fraction of an individual (Feist & Feist, 2009). Jung suggests that people are motivated by repressed experiences and emotional experiences passed down through the unconscious collective (Feist & Feist, 2009). Furthermore, highly developed elements of the collective are called archetypes, which influence personality (p. 98).

Although Jung’s theories are not falsifiable, Jungian therapists are using his style of dream analysis and active imagination as a method of therapy even today.

As with Freud and Adler, Jung’s theories are not falsifiable for the standards of scientific validity, regardless that his theories are widely practiced within the psychology realm.

Perhaps the greatest impacts of the Jungian theory are his dimensions of personality that have been converted into the Myers-Briggs Personality identifier. Used by schools and businesses throughout the world as a method of identifying individual learning styles, Jung’s personality styles help to identify ones attitudes and functions.

Object Relations Theory

Originally the theory of Melanie Klein, object relations theory, began in contrast to Freud’s theories of the child developmental positions. Although close to Freud’s theories, Klein put more stress on the importance of the parent child attachment theory at its earliest stages (four to six months) and the lifelong effects such relationships have on development (Feist & Feist, 2009).

Object Relations theory has been considered a reliable theory, but not until the latter stages of this theories development did it began to gets legs. Moving away from Klein’s good breast/bad breast descriptions of personality traits, later theorists (e.g., Mahler) provided empirical observations based on empirical research of mother-child interactions (Feist & Feist, 2009, p. 150-151).

As with the previous psychodynamic theories, object relations theory has not been considered completely falsifiable; however, it has generated a large amount of research and the consistency of the theories classified under the object relations umbrella have a “high level of internal consistency” (Feist & Feist, 2009, p. 159). With that, object relations theory still struggles with parsimony.

Two of the applications currently in practice as a direct result of the object relations theory are play therapy and eating disorders. Play therapy allows psychologists and counselors to work with children on negative transference and aggressive issues. In addition object related theory has also been applied to the increasing number of eating related disorders found to be nearly equal in both men and women (Feist & Feist, 2009). Furthermore; attachment theory has extended it research to include adult attachments, romantic relationships, and “…leaders and their followers” (Davidovitz, Mikulincer, Shaver, Izsak, & Popper, 2009; Popper & Mayseless, 2003; as restated by Feist & Feist, 2009, p. 157).

Psychoanalytic Social Theory

According to Karen Horney, psychoanalytic social theory takes into consideration social and cultural conditions and childhood experiences as the developing factors to alleviate basic anxiety (Feist & Feist, 2009). When social, cultural, and experiential conditions are not optimal anxiety is experienced, thus creating a need to combat anxiety, which can be accomplished by either moving toward, against, or away from others (Feist & Feist, 2009).

Although Horney’s theories have generated a large amount of information on neuroses and is considered reliable and useful to “teachers, therapists, and …parents” as they work with trying to identify developing neurotic trends but as Feist & Feist (2009) indicate, reliability stops there with this theory (p. 183).

Once again psychoanalytic social theory does not fare well in the validity arena because it fails to meet the falsifiability standards. However, as mentioned in the reliability section, Horney’s theory is useful in providing extensive clinical work on neurotic individuals it is valid in the organized knowledge, guide to action, and the parsimony categories (Feist & Feist, 2009). However, because her theories were not always clearly defined her work is difficult to validate.

Horney’s work on neuroticism has generated additional research on avoiding negative and setting positive outcomes when setting avoidance goals, thus producing a healthier way of life (Elliot & Thrash, 2002; as restated by Feist & Feist, 2009). These techniques have also been found to be of value, by increasing adaptive reactions by taking ones time and thinking carefully (Robinson et al., 2007; as restated by Feist & Feist, 2009).

Interpersonal Theory

Developed by Harry Sullivan, this comprehensive theory imposes a heavy emphasis on the relationships that people have with each other. Interpersonal theory also suggests that development occurs in stages: infancy, childhood, juvenile era, preadolescence, early adolescence, late adolescence, and adulthood. Each stage covers a specific area of developmen, as well as their own tensions (needs and anxieties), dynamisms (malevolence, intimacy, lust, and self-system), personifications, and levels of cognition (McGraw Hill, 2002)

When looking only to social aspects, this theory is extremely reliable; however, it does not provide much insight into individual psychosis or therapy options.

Sullivan’s interpersonal theory rates low in the falsifiability category as well as the ability to generate research. However, according to McGraw-Hill (2002), this theory has average capacity to organize knowledge and self-consistency but is “low in parsimony” (para. 14).

Because of the social aspect of interpersonal theory recent researchers have been working with two person relationships as they study the dynamics of the therapist-patient, intimate relationships, and imaginary relationships (McGraw Hill, 2002).

Theory

Assumptions

Reliability

Validity

Application

References:

Feist, J., & Feist, G. J. (2009). Theories of personality (7^th ed.) New York, NY: McGraw Hill

McGraw Hill. (2002). Psychodynamic Theories Sullivan: Interpersonal Theory. Retrieved from http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072316799/student_view0/part2/chapter8/chapter_outline.html

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Psychodynamic Personality Theories Matrix

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Theory	Assumptions	Reliability	Validity	Application
Psychoanalytic Theory	Also known as Freudian theories; Freud suggested that unconscious influences stem from repressed childhood experiences, sexual, and aggression motivations. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of the conscious, unconscious, and preconscious as the main source of behavior development.	Because many of the theories are not scientifically sound reliability is inconsistent because of the subjectivity; however, many psychologists continue to use the psychoanalytical theories of Freud and his followers in theory and in practice.	Although many of Freud’s theories do not fall within the realm of falsifiable, his work with the conscious and unconscious human psyche has the validity and respect of the psychological society that has withstood the test of time.	Currently, Freud’s psychoanalytic therapies are still in practice; Although modifications have been made to the application of his original thought processes (Feist & Feist, 2009). Psychoanalysts’ use the various methods to help patients develop insight regarding maladaptive perspectives tied to unconscious thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (e.g., hysteria, anxiety, and depressive disorders).
Individual Psychological Theory	According to Feist and Feist (2009) “Adler believed that people are basically self-determined and that they shape their personalities from the meaning they give to their experiences” (p. 95). Adlerian theory takes into account human drives for social and professional success as the motivation for personality development; however, he suggests that although personalities develop during early childhood, people can change personality styles throughout his or her life (Feist & Feist, 2009).	Self-actualization has been widely accepted within the psychological realm; however because of their subjectivity these theories do not stand up to the falsification standard of reliability but have indeed produced much research.	As with Freud’s theories, Adler’s theories also remain somewhat subjective, thus difficult to validate; however, many of the application of the Adlerian theories remain in effect today.	The practical application of individual psychology involves family constellation, early recollections, dreams, and psychotherapy (Feist & Feist, 2009). Family constellation involves the personalities according to birth order. Adler also suggests that early childhood recollections, whether real or fantasy are made to express consistency in one’s present life yielding clues to understand one’s goals and lifestyle. Dreams, although not accurate in predicting the future, provide images of existing anxieties, however deceptive they may be. Psychotherapy, according to Feist and Feist (2009) is designed to “enhance courage, lessen feelings of inferiority, and encourage social interest” (p. 89).
Analytical Psychological Theory	Jung’s analytical theory is based on opposing forces, neither wholly introverted or extraverted, male or female that the persona is but a fraction of an individual (Feist & Feist, 2009). Jung suggests that people are motivated by repressed experiences and emotional experiences passed down through the unconscious collective (Feist & Feist, 2009). Furthermore, highly developed elements of the collective are called archetypes, which influence personality (p. 98).	Although Jung’s theories are not falsifiable, Jungian therapists are using his style of dream analysis and active imagination as a method of therapy even today.	As with Freud and Adler, Jung’s theories are not falsifiable for the standards of scientific validity, regardless that his theories are widely practiced within the psychology realm.	Perhaps the greatest impacts of the Jungian theory are his dimensions of personality that have been converted into the Myers-Briggs Personality identifier. Used by schools and businesses throughout the world as a method of identifying individual learning styles, Jung’s personality styles help to identify ones attitudes and functions.
Object Relations Theory	Originally the theory of Melanie Klein, object relations theory, began in contrast to Freud’s theories of the child developmental positions. Although close to Freud’s theories, Klein put more stress on the importance of the parent child attachment theory at its earliest stages (four to six months) and the lifelong effects such relationships have on development (Feist & Feist, 2009).	Object Relations theory has been considered a reliable theory, but not until the latter stages of this theories development did it began to gets legs. Moving away from Klein’s good breast/bad breast descriptions of personality traits, later theorists (e.g., Mahler) provided empirical observations based on empirical research of mother-child interactions (Feist & Feist, 2009, p. 150-151).	As with the previous psychodynamic theories, object relations theory has not been considered completely falsifiable; however, it has generated a large amount of research and the consistency of the theories classified under the object relations umbrella have a “high level of internal consistency” (Feist & Feist, 2009, p. 159). With that, object relations theory still struggles with parsimony.	Two of the applications currently in practice as a direct result of the object relations theory are play therapy and eating disorders. Play therapy allows psychologists and counselors to work with children on negative transference and aggressive issues. In addition object related theory has also been applied to the increasing number of eating related disorders found to be nearly equal in both men and women (Feist & Feist, 2009). Furthermore; attachment theory has extended it research to include adult attachments, romantic relationships, and “…leaders and their followers” (Davidovitz, Mikulincer, Shaver, Izsak, & Popper, 2009; Popper & Mayseless, 2003; as restated by Feist & Feist, 2009, p. 157).
Psychoanalytic Social Theory	According to Karen Horney, psychoanalytic social theory takes into consideration social and cultural conditions and childhood experiences as the developing factors to alleviate basic anxiety (Feist & Feist, 2009). When social, cultural, and experiential conditions are not optimal anxiety is experienced, thus creating a need to combat anxiety, which can be accomplished by either moving toward, against, or away from others (Feist & Feist, 2009).	Although Horney’s theories have generated a large amount of information on neuroses and is considered reliable and useful to “teachers, therapists, and …parents” as they work with trying to identify developing neurotic trends but as Feist & Feist (2009) indicate, reliability stops there with this theory (p. 183).	Once again psychoanalytic social theory does not fare well in the validity arena because it fails to meet the falsifiability standards. However, as mentioned in the reliability section, Horney’s theory is useful in providing extensive clinical work on neurotic individuals it is valid in the organized knowledge, guide to action, and the parsimony categories (Feist & Feist, 2009). However, because her theories were not always clearly defined her work is difficult to validate.	Horney’s work on neuroticism has generated additional research on avoiding negative and setting positive outcomes when setting avoidance goals, thus producing a healthier way of life (Elliot & Thrash, 2002; as restated by Feist & Feist, 2009). These techniques have also been found to be of value, by increasing adaptive reactions by taking ones time and thinking carefully (Robinson et al., 2007; as restated by Feist & Feist, 2009).
Interpersonal Theory	Developed by Harry Sullivan, this comprehensive theory imposes a heavy emphasis on the relationships that people have with each other. Interpersonal theory also suggests that development occurs in stages: infancy, childhood, juvenile era, preadolescence, early adolescence, late adolescence, and adulthood. Each stage covers a specific area of developmen, as well as their own tensions (needs and anxieties), dynamisms (malevolence, intimacy, lust, and self-system), personifications, and levels of cognition (McGraw Hill, 2002)	When looking only to social aspects, this theory is extremely reliable; however, it does not provide much insight into individual psychosis or therapy options.	Sullivan’s interpersonal theory rates low in the falsifiability category as well as the ability to generate research. However, according to McGraw-Hill (2002), this theory has average capacity to organize knowledge and self-consistency but is “low in parsimony” (para. 14).	Because of the social aspect of interpersonal theory recent researchers have been working with two person relationships as they study the dynamics of the therapist-patient, intimate relationships, and imaginary relationships (McGraw Hill, 2002).