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- QUESTION
Create a 2- to 3-page brochure including graphics, on traditional psychodynamic theories. Describe personality. Discuss the main tenets of each theory, how they apply to personality and behavior, and the strengths and limitations of each theory.
Content
70 Percent
• Describes personality.
• Discusses the main tenets of each theory.
• Discusses how each theory applies to personality and behavior
• Discusses the strengths and limitations of each theory
Organization and Development
20 Percent
• The assignment is the specified length.
• The assignment is clear and organized; major points are supported by details, examples, or analysis.
• The tone aligns with the assignment’s purpose and is geared toward the appropriate audience.
• The assignment provides relevant and sufficient background on the topic.
• The assignment uses visuals appropriately and effectively and excludes distracting or unnecessary elements.
Mechanics and Format
10 Percent
• The assignment file is presentable and functional; for example, the audio clips are audible, visual components are viewable, and links work appropriately.
• Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are followed; spelling is correct.
• The assignment is consistent with APA guidelines.
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| Subject | Psychology | Pages | 5 | Style | APA |
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Answer
Personality
What do people think of my character? What do they say about me? What do I do that clearly represent the real me? Such are questions that people ask themselves consistently as they go about their daily lives. All these contribute to the foundations of personality. According to MacKay and Haskell (2015), personality refers to the diverse behavioral patterns, mental abilities to comprehend situations and emotional characteristics of a person. These patters and characteristics are consistent yet unique and thus some people will be referred to as analysts, sentinels or artisans, while others are explorers, rationales or guardians.
Psychodynamic Theories
Attempts to explain the origin and nature of variant personalities started as early as in the 18th Century leading to the psychodynamic theories. Sigmund Freud is considered the pioneer of these theories and thus also referred to as the psychoanalytic theories. Other psychologists who contributed to the development of these theories were, Alfred Adler, Heinz Kohut and Karen Horney (VandenBos, Meidenbauer & Frank-McNeil, 2016).
According to Sigmund Freud, the adult human personality is as a result of fixations developed in one's childhood years. This personality is therefore determined by the age of five and the id (pleasure principle), the ego (reality principle) and the superego (conscience) interact leading to the unique characters. Alfred Adler seconded the argument and stated that the oldest child in the family will be most competitive, the middle one(s), comparatively competitive yet ambitious whereas the last one will likely be dependable and also sociable. On the other hand, Heinz Kohut argued that children need to identify and idealize their parent's admirable characters for a better future personality (Narcissism Theory). Lastly, Karen Horney differentiated and explained "real self" as personality based on values and morals while "ideal self" is imposed personality to ensure conformity to societal norms (VandenBos, Meidenbauer & Frank-McNeil, 2016).
Strengths and Limitations
First, the strengths of these theories include: psychological therapists noted through their practices that psychological disturbances in adulthood are mostly due to childhood traumas. For instance, the Little Hans Case illustrated that fear of castration led Hans into developing a phobia of horses. By illustrating the relevance of id, ego and super-ego, these theories emphasize the importance of nature and nurture in development of personalities.
Nonetheless, these theories cannot be proved scientifically especially on the aspect of the mind being split into three parts as argued by Freud. VandenBos, Meidenbauer and Frank-McNeil (2016) further argue that these theories are deterministic in the sense that as all personalities are pre-determined and in this regard, it underscores the aspect of free will. These are the two main limitations.
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References
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MacKay, J. D., & Haskell, M. J. (2015). Consistent Individual Behavioral Variation: The Difference between Temperament, Personality and Behavioral Syndromes. Animals (2076-2615), 5(3), 455-478. doi:10.3390/ani5030366
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