Concepts of Humanistic and Biological Psychology

Week 8 Knowledge Review
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Explain the main tenets of Psychoanalysis. Identify 3 ways Psychoanalysis influences the practice of psychology today.

The basic tents include the following. Firstly, the development of individuals is influenced by events in early childhood as opposed to inherited traits alone. In this case, forgotten events in childhood have a major role in the development of persons. Secondly, an individual’s behavior and cognition are influenced by their unconscious drives. These instinctual drives are rooted in the unconscious. Thirdly, since these drives are rooted in the unconscious, any effort to bring them to awareness results in resistance. The resistance comes in the form of defense mechanisms, especially repression. Here, what is unacceptable to the conscious mind is hindered from accessing it.
Psychoanalysis influences the fields of psychology in different ways. Firstly, while psychodynamic theories were not based on experimental research, the approaches of psychoanalytic thinking have been critical in the advancement of experimental psychology. The field has brought about the scientific investigation of how people respond to stimuli. Because of Psychoanalysis, the scientific study of human behavior has been enhanced. Through empirical research methods, psychology can explore behavior better. Secondly, Psychoanalysis has led to the development of many theories of personality (Zhang, 2020). Freud’s psychosexual stage theory is one of the theories that have a major influence on psychology. Because of the theories developed as a result of Psychoanalysis, the field of psychology has expanded and grown immensely. Psychologists have a wide range of ideas to exploit, which has been key in bringing a better understanding of personality and human behavior. Lastly, Psychoanalysis has contributed to the development of therapies that psychologists can employ to treat their clients. For instance, psychoanalysis therapy aims at releasing emotions and experiences by making the unconscious conscious. Here, repressed experiences and emotions, often from the early stages of life, are brought to the surface, allowing psychologists to examine them. Through such a therapy, the field of psychology has gained a practical way of solving problems associated with childhood experiences.

Discuss the main views of Neofreudians. Identify 3 ways that Neofreudians influence the practice of psychology today.

Neo-Freudian psychologists referred to thinkers who agreed with most of Freud’s psychoanalytic theory but modified the approach to include their beliefs and ideas. The Neofreudians capitalized on grey areas in Freud’s theory to include aspects they thought were critical. Most thinkers agreed with the idea of the unconscious mind and the essence of early childhood. However, some of them disagreed with the same concept. For instance, Erik Erikson indicated that Freud was misled to think that childhood events entirely shaped personality. Many Neofreudians also felt that Freud’s approach failed to emphasize social and cultural influences on behavior and personality. They also disagreed wit...