The Neo-Analytic Perspective

Question 1

Underlying themes and assumptions

Answer 1

Many similarities between neo-Freudian and Freudian approaches
Neo-Freudian tends to de-emphasise sexual instincts, and for some the importance of the unconscious
Neo-analytic theory emphasises:
The role of the ego (some focus on the operation of the ego and some focus on how the ego interacts with, and is affected by, other individuals/society/culture)
Personality assessment involves personal narratives
Rejection of idea that personality is formed by experiences in the initial years of life
Social and cultural forces are important

Question 2

Carl Jung (1875-1961): important concepts

Answer 2

Psyche: personality
Libido: driving force of the psyche m, but unlike Freud’s theory, can be directed to numerous things to meet needs
Principle of equivalence: fixed amount of energy
Principle of entropy: hard to achieve balance across the elements of the psyche
Principle of opposites: polarities of human experience (everything has an opposite)

Question 3

Components of the personality

Answer 3

Ego: all conscious and involved with thinking, remembering etc (small part of psyche)
Personal unconscious: material now repressed or forgotten, but was once conscious
Collective unconscious: inherited images and experiences that result from common experiences to all humans (includes our prehuman ancestry too). It also includes universal symbols which are responsible for responding in certain ways to certain things. These are called ARCHETYPES

Question 4

Persona Archetype

Answer 4

Mask (helps us to deal with other people in socially appropriate ways)

Question 5

Shadow archetype

Answer 5

Repressed material within the personal unconscious and images of evil from the collective unconscious and is expressed in anger, pain, etc.

Question 6

Anima archetype

Answer 6

Feminine qualities of the male and is the prototype for female relationships (helps to understand women)

Question 7

Animus archetype

Answer 7

Masculine qualities of the female and is the prototype for relationships with males

Question 8

Self archetype

Answer 8

Potential we have to achieve our unique individuality

Question 9

Personality assessment: MBTI

Answer 9

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator was developed to assess the personality types described by Jung
It is commonly used in occupational settings
Evidence does suggest that different personality types have different interests and job preferences

Question 10

Alfred Adler (1870-1937)

Answer 10

De-emphasised sexual motivation and emphasised:
Behaviour motivated by striving for superiority
Importance of social interest
Importance of parents

Question 11

Adler’s conceptualisation of the effects of birth order

Answer 11

Eldest child: originally spoilt, then ‘dethroned’ once second child comes along. As a result, perception of inferiority is likely to be strong. ‘Problem children, neurotics, criminals and perverts’.
Middle child: high achievers, spend a lifetime trying to catch up to older siblings.
Youngest child: pampered and spoilt, so become dependent, without personal initiative, vulnerable to strong inferiority feelings because everyone is older and stronger.

Question 12

Adlerian personality types

Answer 12

The ruling type: intense striving for personal superiority and power, manipulative
The avoiding type: lack of confidence, pretends no problem exists
The getting type: passive, expect everything from others
The socially useful type: ‘healthy type’

Question 13

Karen Horney (1885-1952)

Answer 13

Unlike Freud, Horney saw the differences between men and women as resulting from social, rather than biological factors.
Believed much of adult behaviour is based on efforts to overcome basic anxiety acquired in childhood:
Fear of being alone and helpless in hostile world;
Fear leads to neurotic needs;
Minimised by being raised with trust, love, warmth, and tolerance.

Question 14

Horney: neurotic characteristics

Answer 14

According to Horney, people who are neurotic are unable to interact with others in a manner which would help them to develop strong interpersonal ties.
Neurotic individuals try and avoid experiences which may cause anxiety by adopting a particular style of dealing with people: moving towards people, moving against people, or moving away from people.

Question 15

Horney: womb envy

Answer 15

Where Freud developed the term penis envy, Horney rejected this concept and instead, developed the concept of womb envy:
Men try and compensate for their inability to carry children and give birth by seeking to achieve in other areas.

Question 16

Personality assessment

Answer 16

Personal narratives: narrations of ones own life story, that requires describing turning point scenes from ones life.
Interviews are recorded and transcribed;
Judges code stories according to preset criteria;
Scores tend to be consistent over time;
Accuracy of the story and selective remembering of scenes by participant draws criticism.

Question 17

Horney: moving toward people

Answer 17

Some children deal with anxiety by being clingy and seeking affection and acceptance
Can carry into adulthood and be bad for relationships

Question 18

Horney: moving against people

Answer 18

Some children find aggressiveness and hostility are the best way to deal with a poor home environment. Push around other child. Rewarded with fleeting sense of power, but have no friends
In adulthood, exploit other people

Question 19

Horney: Moving away from people

Answer 19

Children tune out the world
As adult, seek jobs that require little interaction with other people
Avoid affection, love, and friendship