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Psychology Personality Theories

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Imagine that two theorists (Freud, Jung, Adler, or Rogers) were invited to speak at a symposium on personality theory development and are both on the stages? Someone in the audience raises her hand and ask "So what do you think was your theory's greats contribution to our current understanding of human personality?" What would each of the theorist you chose say in answer to the question?

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Solution Summary

This solution discusses the orientation of four psychology theorist, and apply their views to contemporary thought.

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(a) Freud's (1926; 1962) theoretical formulations was based on intrapsychic processes (i.e., mental processes). For instance, his psychodynamic theories involved looking within the individual's unconscious conflicts to uncover problems that were latent in his or her conscious awareness. Moreover, Freud's theoretical premises were developmental focus, given his work with children. He would say in answer to this question that his greatest contribution to the field of psychoanalysis was his work with children. For example, Freudian concepts are used today in child abuse and child neglect cases. Two theories that are contemporary views of his concepts are the Object Relations theory and Play therapy approaches in the investigation of children's psychological problems. The ORT theory is a contemporary understanding of Freud's psychoanalysis on the unconscious and individual mind (Zornig & Levy, 2011).They present a view of psychoanalysis in which the child is placed in a "holding" environment where he or she is offered love and attention that is not being received at home. According to Zornig & Levy, ORT emphasizes the importance of maternal care, and the continuation of self during infancy.

Play therapy demonstrates the positive impact of play in addressing general behavioral problems. (e. g. Subbakrishna, 1999 as cited in Bratton, Ray, Edwards, & Landroth, 2009). According to Bratton et al., both Melanie Klein (1932) and Anna Freud (1928) developed techniques of play therapy. It too has roots in psychoanalysis. For instance, Klein's work was with infants who she believed had an inborn desire for gratification related to ORT was adopted in her play therapy with children. Underlying the need of Play therapy is belief that the child is seeking more attention from his or her parents. The constant negative behavior may be related to the need for attention from the child's mother. According to Bratton et al (2009), Play therapy is based on the notion that play is fundamental to the ...

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