Overview of Interpersonal Theory by Harry Stack Sullivan
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Questions and Answers

According to Harry Stack Sullivan, where do people develop their personality?

  • Through genetic inheritance
  • In a cultural context
  • Within a social context (correct)
  • In isolation from others

What did Sullivan mean by stating 'A personality can never be isolated from the complex of interpersonal relations'?

  • Personality is shaped by social interactions (correct)
  • Personality is solely determined by genetics
  • Personality is fixed and unchangeable
  • Personality is developed in complete solitude

How did Sullivan view the importance of interpersonal relations in understanding human personality?

  • As a minor consideration
  • As the only factor
  • As one of many factors (correct)
  • As irrelevant

In Sullivan's theory, which developmental stages does he emphasize the importance of?

<p>All stages from infancy to adulthood (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Sullivan's theory differ from Freud's psychoanalytic approach?

<p>It focused more on anxiety (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where was Harry Stack Sullivan born and raised?

<p>Norwich, New York (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two ways people relate to the world according to Fromm?

<p>Assimilation and socialization (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which character orientation is characterized by aggressively taking what they desire?

<p>Exploitative characters (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of nonproductive hoarding orientation?

<p>Refusal to let go of possessions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What character trait is associated with productive love?

<p>Responsibility (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do healthy people value work as, according to the text?

<p>Means of creative self-expression (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which orientation views personal value as dependent on exchange value?

<p>Marketing character (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of individuals who choose to deal with anxiety by being self-sufficient and independent?

<p>They have a strong desire for privacy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might a relationship with someone who avoids affection, love, sympathy, and friendship be shallow and unrewarding?

<p>Because they cannot return affection or feel it themselves. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do people using the style of withdrawal as a defense mechanism believe will protect them from harm?

<p>Withdrawing to protect themselves from getting hurt (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Horney, what is the source of neurotic trends and basic anxiety in individuals?

<p>Interpersonal relationships with other people (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What intrapsychic conflict did Horney emphasize in the development of personality?

<p>Idealized self-image and self-hatred (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does an idealized self-image consist of, according to Horney?

<p>'A hero, a genius, a supreme lover, a saint, a god' (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Sullivan's Personality Development

Personality develops within a social context, shaped by interpersonal relations.

Sullivan & Interpersonal Relations

Sullivan believed understanding personality requires looking at how people relate to others.

Sullivan's Stages

Sullivan emphasized development through all stages from infancy to adulthood.

Sullivan vs. Freud

Sullivan's theory focused on anxiety, differing from Freud's emphasis on other factors.

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Fromm's Two Relating Styles

Fromm's theory highlights how we relate through assimilation and socialization.

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Exploitative Character Orientation

A character orientation where individuals aggressively take what they want.

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Nonproductive Hoarding

A style where people cling to possessions and refuse to let go.

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Productive Love

A character trait associated with responsibility and care for others.

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Healthy Work Value

Healthy people view work as a means of creative expression.

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Marketing Character Orientation

This orientation values personal worth based on exchange, what it gets from others.

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Anxiety Avoidance Strategy

Some individuals avoid anxiety by being self-sufficient and independent.

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Shallow Relationships

Relationships lacking affection, love, or sympathy can be shallow and unrewarding.

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Withdrawal Defense Mechanism

Withdrawing as a way to cope with harm or stress.

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Neurotic Trends & Basic Anxiety

Horney states that interpersonal relationships are at the root of anxiety and neurotic trends.

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Intrapsychic Conflict (Horney)

Horney's theory highlights conflicts within a person — idealizing the self and hating the self.

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Idealized Self-Image

The idealized self-image is believing one is a hero, genius, supreme lover, saint, a god.

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Study Notes

Harry Stack Sullivan's Interpersonal Theory

  • Harry Stack Sullivan, an American psychologist, believed that people develop their personality within a social context and that knowledge of human personality can be gained only through the scientific study of interpersonal relations.
  • Sullivan's theory emphasizes the importance of various developmental stages: infancy, childhood, juvenile era, preadolescence, early adolescence, late adolescence, and adulthood.

Sullivan's Biography

  • Harry Stack Sullivan was born on February 21, 1892, in Norwich, New York, to poor Irish Catholic parents.
  • He was the sole surviving child of his parents.

Moving Away (Isolation) Defense Mechanism

  • Moving away or isolation is a defense mechanism where people choose to reduce anxiety by being self-sufficient and independent.
  • People using this style say “If I withdraw, nothing can hurt me.”
  • They usually find jobs requiring little interaction with others and avoid affection, love, sympathy, and friendship.

Intrapsychic Conflicts

  • Neurotic trends flow from basic anxiety, which stems from a child’s relationships with other people.
  • Intrapsychic conflicts include the idealized self-image and self-hatred.

Idealized Self-Image

  • The idealized self-image is an extravagantly positive view of oneself with infinite powers and unlimited capabilities.
  • The idealized image has three aspects: acting according to one's basic nature, not according to conventional rules.

Erich Fromm's Character Orientations

  • People relate to the world in two ways: by acquiring and using things (assimilation) and by relating to self and others (socialization).
  • Nonproductive orientations include receptive, exploitative, hoarding, and marketing characters.
  • The single productive orientation has three dimensions: working, loving, and reasoning.
  • Healthy people value work as a means of creative self-expression, practice productive love, and possess biophilia.

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Description

Learn about the foundational ideas of interpersonal theory by Harry Stack Sullivan, the first American to develop a comprehensive personality theory. Understand how personalities are shaped within social contexts and the importance of interpersonal relations in personality development.

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