PSY 328 Project One Milestone

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Southern New Hampshire University *

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328

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Psychology

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Apr 3, 2024

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PSY 328 Project One Milestone To begin your milestone, first select two personality theories from the left column of the following table that you think contrast in meaningful ways. Next, from the right column of the table, select three topics that you will use to contrast your theories. Complete this template by replacing the bracketed text with the relevant information. Personality Theories and Approaches Topics Humanistic psychology Psychoanalytic theory Neo-Freudian/object relations theory Trait approach Biological perspective Motivation A. Scientific nature B. Nature versus nurture C. Origin of problems D. Pathology E. Free will F. Environmental influences G. Internal versus external stimuli 1. Identify which two theories or approaches you will compare and contrast and explain why you chose them. Your response should be about 2 to 4 sentences. The two personality theories/approaches I selected to compare, and contrast are Humanistic Psychology and Psychoanalytic Theory. 1
Humanistic psychology, represented by theorists like Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, emphasizes personal growth, self-actualization, and the inherent goodness in individuals. It focuses on free will, self-awareness, and the importance of subjective experiences in shaping personality. Humanistic theory asserts that individuals have the capacity for self-improvement and can strive towards fulfilling their unique potential. On the other hand, Psychoanalytic theory, founded by Sigmund Freud, delves into the unconscious mind, childhood experiences, and the role of instincts and drives in shaping behavior. According to psychoanalytic theory, personality is greatly influenced by early childhood experiences and the interactions between the conscious and unconscious mind. Freud's theory suggests that unresolved conflicts and unconscious motivations can impact an individual's behavior and personality development. By comparing these two theories, we can see their contrasting viewpoints on the nature of human behavior. Humanistic psychology emphasizes individual growth, self- awareness, and the conscious pursuit of personal fulfillment, while Psychoanalytic theory focuses on unconscious processes, early experiences, and the impact of inner conflicts on personality development. Analyzing these contrasting perspectives can provide a more comprehensive understanding of personality theories, allowing individuals such as myself in the field of psychology to appreciate the diverse approaches and contributions to the study of human behavior and development. 2
2. Describe how your two chosen theories differ on 3 topics. See the details for topics A through G in the assignment guidelines and rubric document. Your response for each topic should be about 3 to 5 sentences. Topic 1: Nature versus Nurture Humanistic psychology leans more towards the nurture side of the Nature versus nurture debate by emphasizing the role of environmental factors, personal choice, and individual experiences in shaping personality. Humanistic theorists believe that personal growth and self-actualization are influenced primarily by environmental interactions and the conscious pursuit of fulfillment. In contrast, Psychoanalytic theory, particularly Freudian perspectives, places greater emphasis on the nature side of the debate. Freud's theory highlights the significance of innate drives, unconscious processes, and early childhood experiences in shaping personality development. Psychoanalytic theorists suggest that biological instincts and unconscious motives play a pivotal role in influencing human behavior and personality traits. While Humanistic psychology focuses on the importance of nurturing environments and personal choices, Psychoanalytic theory emphasizes the interplay between innate drives and early experiences in determining personality characteristics. This fundamental difference in perspective on the Nature versus 3
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nurture debate underscores the contrasting viewpoints between Humanistic psychology and Psychoanalytic theory. Topic 2: Free Will Humanistic psychology emphasizes the concept of free will, asserting that individuals can make conscious choices and control their actions. This perspective views human beings as active agents in their lives, capable of self-determination and personal growth through their choices. On the contrary, Psychoanalytic theory, rooted in Freudian principles, suggests that unconscious drives and past experiences can shape behavior, potentially limiting the extent of free will. Freud believed that unconscious motivations and instincts could influence individuals' decisions and behaviors outside of their conscious awareness, challenging the idea of complete free will in human actions. This fundamental difference in their views on free will underscores the contrasting perspectives on individual agency and autonomy in Humanistic psychology and Psychoanalytic theory. Topic 3: Pathology Humanistic psychology approaches pathology by viewing individuals' struggles because of incongruence between their true selves and societal expectations or personal goals. It sees pathology as a deviation from self-actualization and personal growth. On the other hand, Psychoanalytic theory views pathology as stemming from unresolved unconscious conflicts and repressed urges from early childhood experiences. It attributes psychological disorders to disruptions in the balance 4
between the id, ego, and superego, leading to defense mechanisms and maladaptive behaviors. While Humanistic psychology focuses on individual growth and self- awareness, Psychoanalytic theory delves into subconscious processes and internal conflicts as root causes of pathology. 3. Describe at least one similarity between your two selected theories. Your response should be about 3 to 5 sentences. One significant similarity between Humanistic psychology and Psychoanalytic theory is their recognition of the influence of early experiences on personality development. Both theories acknowledge the importance of childhood experiences in shaping individuals' behaviors and attitudes later in life. While Humanistic psychology focuses on personal growth and self-actualization, and Psychoanalytic theory emphasizes unconscious processes, they both consider the impact of past experiences on present behavior and personality traits. This common ground highlights the shared belief in the significance of understanding early life events in comprehending individuals' current psychological functioning. 5