Question: Who Were the Neo-Freudians?

Answer: Neo-Freudian psychologists were thinkers who agreed with the basis of Freud's psychoanalytic theory, but changed and adapted the theory to incorporate their own beliefs, ideas and theories. Psychologist Sigmund Freud proposed a number of ideas that were highly controversial, but also attracted a number of followers. Many of these thinkers agreed with Freud's concept of the unconscious mind and the importance of early childhood. There were, however, a number of points that other thinkers disagreed with or directly rejected. Because of this, these individuals went on to propose their own unique theories of personality.

Major Neo-Freudian Thinkers

Carl Jung Alfred Adler Erik Erikson Karen Horney Erich Fromm

Neo-Freudian Disagreements with Freud

There are a few different reasons why these neo-Freudian thinkers disagreed with Freud. For example, Erik Erikson believed that Freud was incorrect to believe that personality is shaped almost entirely by childhood events. Other issues that motivated neo-Freudian thinkers included: 1. 2. 3. 4. Freud's emphasis on sexual urges as a primary motivator Freud's negative view of human nature Freud's belief that personality is entirely shaped by early childhood experiences Freud's lack of emphasis on social and cultural influences on behavior and personality

While the neo-Freudian's may have been influenced by Freud, they developed their own unique theories and perspectives on human development, personality and behavior.
Neo- freudians placed emphasis on social relationships Neo-freudians included Alfred Adler, Carl Jung, and Eric Erikson. They are known as Neo-freudians largely because of their former ties with the basis of Fruedian theory, but they added their own spin on things. A comparison between Freud and Adler: SIMILARITIES:

interested in the manifestation of physical "symptoms" without physical causes

felt that unconscious mental causes were largely responsible personality development and behavior in general psychodynamic conflict: different parts of the mind are constantly struggling against each other emotional motivation is key personality is shaped by experiences over time, especially during childhood case studies are most common method of investigation for psychodynamic theorists poor parenting --> long term effects focused on the origins of abnormality

DIFFERENCES:

Frued thought that sex and agression motivated all behavior (Oedipus complex); Adler thought that a sense of inferiority and a lifetime of compensation motivated all behavior Origins of abnormality: Freud: poor relationship with parents, inability to properly release tension/anxiety; Adler: birth order --> poor parenting (pampering, neglect) Freud focused on dream interpretation/analysis and other abstract/symbolic concepts, while Adler concentrated on social relationships and behaviors