Psychoanalytic theories of Freud and Erikson. Psychology Essay

Feud’s Theory Vs Eriksen’s Theory
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Feud’s Theory Vs Eriksen’s Theory
Undoubtedly, psychoanalysis theory has had a profound influence on the psychology sector since its discovery in the 20th century (Odokuma, 2010). Unlike in the past when most of the psychology theories concentrated on describing types of individuals, psychoanalysis theory has enabled experts to discover how people behave in the way they do. The theory emphasizes that human beings, unlike most other organisms, constantly and slowly change through continuous interactions with their environments. Consequently, one’s personality can be considered a set of changes with indefinite and fragile boundaries. Instead of focusing on attitudes, traits, and motives, the psychoanalytic theory introduced the view that personality changes as life progresses and even the personality modification rate changes as an individual grows (Odokuma, 2010). Personality is defined as a unique way of behaving, thinking and feeling (Geukes et al., 2018). It embraces opinions, attitudes, and moods and is expressed clearly when a person interacts with other people. Personality includes both the acquired and inherent behavioral characteristics that separate one individual from the other, and that can be observed in one’s relationship with social group and the environment. Although different people have defined the term personality in different ways, in the field of psychology, it has two meanings. The first one defines it as consistent differences observed between people, whereas the second describes it as the qualities that make all humans similar, and that makes people psychologically distinct from animal species (Geukes et al., 2018). Thus, psychoanalysis theory is crucial in explaining why people's behaviors are different and, therefore, can be used in the treatment of people with psychological disorders. Sigmund Freud is credited for the discovery of one of the most influential personality theories called psychoanalysis, that was largely exploited in the early years of the 20th century. Since then, the theory has been modified severally by various theorists such as Jung, Adler, and Erikson. The current study compares and contrasts Feud’s version of psychoanalysis theory with Erikson’s.
Sigmund Freud's version of psychoanalytic theory indicates that human personality is the product of interaction among three mind components, namely, id, ego, and superego. The theory contends that these three components results in unconscious conflicts that shape one’s personality and behavior (Lapsley & Stey, 2011). According to Freud, dynamic interactions among these crucial mind elements occur in five distinct progressive psychosexual phases of human development. An individual’s effort to find balance among these three structures influences how that particular person behaves and their overall personality (Lapsley & Stey, 2011).
Freud argued that the manner in which id, ego and superego conflict change throughout the person’s life (Lapsley & Stey, 2011). Particularly, he maintains that such conflict progresses through five distinct stages, which include oral, anal, phalli...