Theories Of Personality

There are many theories of personality formation and development. Many of them are opposing theories but as many try to combine different theories to reach a fuller understanding of the elusive self. The analytic psychoanalysis theory of Carl Jung is primarily modeled on the theories of Freud, with a few important distinctions, especially the collective unconscious and the de-emphasis on sexuality. The personality theory of Erich Fromm differs radically from Jung in many aspects. Perhaps the biggest divergence between Jung and Fromm is Fromm's belief that environmental factors (family, society, education, religion, etc.) shape personality as much as biological factors. Fromm's theory is also a blend of existentialism, humanism and Marx's theories of capitalism and class distinctions. Jung, on the other hand, argued solely from a biological framework, following Freud in his belief that there are unconscious determinants of personality but that the unconscious consists of two lawyers, the unconscious and the collective unconscious. This analysis will compare and contrast the theories of Carl Jung and Erich Fromm. A conclusion will discuss which of these two theories of personality is the more valid.

For Carl Jung, "the goal of life is to realize the self" which is an "archetype that represents the transcendence of opposites, so that every aspect of your personality is expressed equally," (Boeree 8). In this st

roverts are internally based while extroverts are externally based, when it comes to thoughts, feelings, emotions and relations with others. In our dealing with the real world, whether we are introverted or extroverted, we react in different ways. Jung states there are four different ways of functioning, whether one is an introvert or an extrovert: Sensing � Getting information by means of the senses. Involving perception rather than judgement. Thinking � Evaluating information or ideas rationally, logically. Involving decision making or judging rather than simple intake of information. Intuiting � A kind of perception that works outside of the usual conscious processes. It is irrational or perceptual. Feeling � A matter of evaluating information by weighing one's overall, emotional response. (Boeree 10) For the realization of self to occur, Jung believes we need to develop all four of these methods of functioning. While all human beings possess all four methods, many only develop one or two that they prefer to adopt while others suffer poor development from lack of use. Because of a lack of reliance on rigid interpretations, like Freud's sexual interpretations of personality, Jung also embodies elements of humani

Category: Psychology - T