Psychodynamic Theories

Psychodynamic Personality Theories

David Cebellos, Elizabeth Harriau, Emma Jenkins, Erica Oquendo, Ginette Tellado

Psy/405 Personality Theories

February 13, 2012

Jennifer Doran

Psychodynamic Personality Theories

1. Introduction - David

2. Describe how psychodynamic theories affect individual personalities. - Ginette

3. Explain how psychodynamic theories influence interpersonal relationships. Elizabeth

Conclusion

All psychodynamic theories to personality, evaluate human behavior based on drives and forces within the person. Each theory explained how the unconscious mind plays a role in shaping an individual’s behaviors. Freud focused on sexuality and aggression as the motives behind one’s behavior while Jung focused on Ancestral links and predetermined behaviors. Adler believed that behavior is guided by an individual’s strive to achieve superiority. Though all differed in there assumptions on motivations and drives, all agreed that the unconscious mind played a unique role in each theory. Each theory also addresses how experiences and our behaviors as a child, influences our development into adults and therefore shaped the way we relate to others (Feist & Feist, 2009).

Each Psychodynamic theory had its criticism; it had strengths and weaknesses that left roam for other theories. The successes of each were that they looked to address the similarities and differences in human behavior and personality. Each Theory contributed to the idea of how personality and behavior are shaped from inner forces to childhood experiences. They have paved the way for advances in therapy and treatment of personality disorders, making them influential in Personality Psychology.

References

Feist, J., & Feist, G. (2009). Theories of personality (7th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.