, IOP2606
ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 2
2026
DUE AUGUST 2026
QUESTION 1: Theoretical Approaches to Personality
a) Psychoanalytical Theories
Psychoanalytical theories, pioneered by Sigmund Freud, emphasise the role of unconscious
psychological processes and early childhood experiences in shaping personality (Feist & Feist, 2009).
According to this perspective, human behaviour is driven by unconscious motives, inner conflicts,
and defence mechanisms that individuals develop to manage anxiety (McLeod, 2018). Freud
proposed that personality consists of three interacting structures: the id (operating on the pleasure
principle), the ego (operating on the reality principle), and the superego (representing moral and
ethical standards). Individual differences arise from how these structures are balanced and how
individuals resolve unconscious conflicts, particularly during psychosexual stages of development
(Cervone & Pervin, 2019).
Later psychoanalytic theorists, such as Carl Jung and Erik Erikson, expanded on Freud's work. Jung
introduced concepts such as the collective unconscious and archetypes, while Erikson focused on
psychosocial development across the lifespan (Schultz & Schultz, 2017). Although psychoanalytic
theories have been criticised for being difficult to test empirically, they have contributed
significantly to understanding the deeper, often hidden, motivations behind human behaviour
(Meyer & Weaver, 2016).
Practical example: In a workplace setting, a psychoanalytical perspective may explain why an
employee consistently avoids public speaking or leadership opportunities. This behaviour could
stem from unconscious fears of criticism or failure that originated in early childhood experiences
with overly authoritative parents (Feist & Feist, 2009). The employee may not be consciously aware
of this connection, yet it influences their career progression. Similarly, a manager who exhibits
excessive perfectionism and micromanagement may be unconsciously driven by a need for
approval and fear of making mistakes, rooted in unresolved conflicts related to self-worth (Cervone
& Pervin, 2019).
ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 2
2026
DUE AUGUST 2026
QUESTION 1: Theoretical Approaches to Personality
a) Psychoanalytical Theories
Psychoanalytical theories, pioneered by Sigmund Freud, emphasise the role of unconscious
psychological processes and early childhood experiences in shaping personality (Feist & Feist, 2009).
According to this perspective, human behaviour is driven by unconscious motives, inner conflicts,
and defence mechanisms that individuals develop to manage anxiety (McLeod, 2018). Freud
proposed that personality consists of three interacting structures: the id (operating on the pleasure
principle), the ego (operating on the reality principle), and the superego (representing moral and
ethical standards). Individual differences arise from how these structures are balanced and how
individuals resolve unconscious conflicts, particularly during psychosexual stages of development
(Cervone & Pervin, 2019).
Later psychoanalytic theorists, such as Carl Jung and Erik Erikson, expanded on Freud's work. Jung
introduced concepts such as the collective unconscious and archetypes, while Erikson focused on
psychosocial development across the lifespan (Schultz & Schultz, 2017). Although psychoanalytic
theories have been criticised for being difficult to test empirically, they have contributed
significantly to understanding the deeper, often hidden, motivations behind human behaviour
(Meyer & Weaver, 2016).
Practical example: In a workplace setting, a psychoanalytical perspective may explain why an
employee consistently avoids public speaking or leadership opportunities. This behaviour could
stem from unconscious fears of criticism or failure that originated in early childhood experiences
with overly authoritative parents (Feist & Feist, 2009). The employee may not be consciously aware
of this connection, yet it influences their career progression. Similarly, a manager who exhibits
excessive perfectionism and micromanagement may be unconsciously driven by a need for
approval and fear of making mistakes, rooted in unresolved conflicts related to self-worth (Cervone
& Pervin, 2019).
