Humanistic Theory Vs Psychodynamic Theory
Introduction
Psychology has been influenced by a diverse range of schools and theorists, and the
discipline itself is constantly evolving to meet new demands and consider new perspectives.
In this essay, I will compare and contrast two schools of thought in psychology. My research
has focused on Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theories as well as the humanistic theories of
Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow. In what follows, I'll examine the main differences and
similarities between these two schools of thought. (Bornstein, 2010 )
Compare and Contrast between Humanistic Theory and Psychodynamic Theory
Psychodynamicists and humanists disagree on the meaning of life and what makes each
person unique. Humanism says most people are good at heart. Psychodynamics is negative
and sad. Psychodynamics says people do what they must. This contradicts the humanist view
that people act as they please. Humanistic and psychodynamic therapies help people in
different ways. In psychodynamic therapy, the therapist decides what will be discussed.
Humanistic therapists are neutral and listen to patients instead of giving advice. The patient
chooses what to discuss.(Elliott, 2002)
Assumptions of Humanistic Theory
In psychology, the terms ``humanistic," "humanist," and "humanism" all refer to a philosophy
that values each person for who they are, their flaws and all. These terms have the same
meaning in psychology. Humanistic psychology values each individual as a whole while also
considering their unique qualities and strengths. Humanism in psychology is based on the
assumption that people have free will and want to be better versions of themselves. Many
people thought the two major schools of psychology, behaviourism and psychoanalysis, were
flawed.
The humanistic school of psychology arose in response to perceived flaws in these schools.
This is why humanism, along with psychoanalysis and behaviourism, is frequently referred to
as psychology's "third force" (Maslow, 1968). Humanism opposed the deterministic,
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, stimulus-response, and heavily animalistic behaviourism of the behaviourist school of
thought. As a result, the theory's supporters rejected its underlying assumptions. Humanistic
psychology was not a fan of the psychodynamic approach because it also believed that
people's thoughts and behaviours were controlled by unconscious, irrational, and instinctive
forces. As a result, humanistic psychologists opposed the psychodynamic approach.
Assumptions of Psychodynamic Theory
Several simple assumptions form the basis of psychodynamic theory. The psychodynamic
framework's assumptions distinguish it from other frameworks as well: Other personality
theories disagree when these three concepts are reduced to their essence. The majority of our
mental activity, according to proponents of the psychodynamic theory, occurs subconsciously.
In the context of psychoanalysis, the majority of mental processes are thought to occur below
the level of conscious awareness. The available evidence backs up the following
psychoanalytic tenet: It is not always easy to be aware of much of what goes on in our heads,
such as our thoughts, memories, and emotions (Bargh & Morsella, 2008)
The central assumption of psychodynamic theory is that mental events are never
unintentional. In other words, none of our thoughts, feelings, motivations, or behaviours are a
result of chance. The principle of psychic causality is now widely accepted. Even though
many psychologists disagree with the psychoanalytic view of psychic causality, most
researchers and theorists agree that our thoughts, motives, emotional reactions, and actions do
not occur by chance, but rather as a complex interplay of observable biological and
psychological processes (Robinson & Gordon, 2011).
Concept of humanity and its six dimensions
Love, fear, joy, anger, boredom, and sexuality fuel the mind. Some of these dimensions are
influenced by the human mind's six-dimensional structure, which is the same for every
person. One of these dimensions can't be "forgotten." People who try this usually shut down
their minds, which leads to inner resistance and suffering. One of these dimensions can't be
"forgotten."
This study source was downloaded by 100000852681095 from CourseHero.com on 02-03-2023 20:53:38 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/156456812/Humanistic-Theory-Vs-Psychodynamic-Theorydocx/
Introduction
Psychology has been influenced by a diverse range of schools and theorists, and the
discipline itself is constantly evolving to meet new demands and consider new perspectives.
In this essay, I will compare and contrast two schools of thought in psychology. My research
has focused on Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theories as well as the humanistic theories of
Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow. In what follows, I'll examine the main differences and
similarities between these two schools of thought. (Bornstein, 2010 )
Compare and Contrast between Humanistic Theory and Psychodynamic Theory
Psychodynamicists and humanists disagree on the meaning of life and what makes each
person unique. Humanism says most people are good at heart. Psychodynamics is negative
and sad. Psychodynamics says people do what they must. This contradicts the humanist view
that people act as they please. Humanistic and psychodynamic therapies help people in
different ways. In psychodynamic therapy, the therapist decides what will be discussed.
Humanistic therapists are neutral and listen to patients instead of giving advice. The patient
chooses what to discuss.(Elliott, 2002)
Assumptions of Humanistic Theory
In psychology, the terms ``humanistic," "humanist," and "humanism" all refer to a philosophy
that values each person for who they are, their flaws and all. These terms have the same
meaning in psychology. Humanistic psychology values each individual as a whole while also
considering their unique qualities and strengths. Humanism in psychology is based on the
assumption that people have free will and want to be better versions of themselves. Many
people thought the two major schools of psychology, behaviourism and psychoanalysis, were
flawed.
The humanistic school of psychology arose in response to perceived flaws in these schools.
This is why humanism, along with psychoanalysis and behaviourism, is frequently referred to
as psychology's "third force" (Maslow, 1968). Humanism opposed the deterministic,
This study source was downloaded by 100000852681095 from CourseHero.com on 02-03-2023 20:53:38 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/156456812/Humanistic-Theory-Vs-Psychodynamic-Theorydocx/
, stimulus-response, and heavily animalistic behaviourism of the behaviourist school of
thought. As a result, the theory's supporters rejected its underlying assumptions. Humanistic
psychology was not a fan of the psychodynamic approach because it also believed that
people's thoughts and behaviours were controlled by unconscious, irrational, and instinctive
forces. As a result, humanistic psychologists opposed the psychodynamic approach.
Assumptions of Psychodynamic Theory
Several simple assumptions form the basis of psychodynamic theory. The psychodynamic
framework's assumptions distinguish it from other frameworks as well: Other personality
theories disagree when these three concepts are reduced to their essence. The majority of our
mental activity, according to proponents of the psychodynamic theory, occurs subconsciously.
In the context of psychoanalysis, the majority of mental processes are thought to occur below
the level of conscious awareness. The available evidence backs up the following
psychoanalytic tenet: It is not always easy to be aware of much of what goes on in our heads,
such as our thoughts, memories, and emotions (Bargh & Morsella, 2008)
The central assumption of psychodynamic theory is that mental events are never
unintentional. In other words, none of our thoughts, feelings, motivations, or behaviours are a
result of chance. The principle of psychic causality is now widely accepted. Even though
many psychologists disagree with the psychoanalytic view of psychic causality, most
researchers and theorists agree that our thoughts, motives, emotional reactions, and actions do
not occur by chance, but rather as a complex interplay of observable biological and
psychological processes (Robinson & Gordon, 2011).
Concept of humanity and its six dimensions
Love, fear, joy, anger, boredom, and sexuality fuel the mind. Some of these dimensions are
influenced by the human mind's six-dimensional structure, which is the same for every
person. One of these dimensions can't be "forgotten." People who try this usually shut down
their minds, which leads to inner resistance and suffering. One of these dimensions can't be
"forgotten."
This study source was downloaded by 100000852681095 from CourseHero.com on 02-03-2023 20:53:38 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/156456812/Humanistic-Theory-Vs-Psychodynamic-Theorydocx/
