Psychology Chapter: Mind Theories

Questions and Answers

What was the main argument against Freud's theories by the Neo-Freudian perspectives?

He undervalued cultural influences.

He ignored the role of environmental factors.

He emphasized innate instincts and sexuality too much. (correct)

He focused too heavily on social interactions.

According to Alfred Adler, what do individuals strive for in life?

To reach rational goals and reduce feelings of inferiority. (correct)

To form competitive relationships with others.

To indulge in self-centered behaviors.

To avoid feelings of inferiority by escaping reality.

What characterizes the compliant personality proposed by Karen Horney?

Strong desire for independence and freedom.

An inclination towards love and appreciation from others. (correct)

A tendency to retreat from social interactions.

A need to compete and command attention.

What was John B. Watson's main assertion about behavior?

Behavior should be observed in the context of the environment. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following psychologists was NOT a part of the Behaviorism movement?

Alfred Adler Signup and view all the answers

Which personality type is characterized by seeking independence and self-reliance according to Karen Horney?

Detached Personality Signup and view all the answers

What did the Neo-Freudians believe about factors shaping human behavior?

Social, cultural, and interpersonal factors are equally important. Signup and view all the answers

B.F. Skinner is best known for which concept related to Behaviorism?

Operant conditioning. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Harry Stack Sullivan's perspective on personality?

Continuous establishment of social relationships reduces anxiety. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic best describes an aggressive personality type as per Horney?

Aiming to excel and win admiration. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Structuralism

Focused on the components of the mind using introspection, which involves self-reflection and analysis of internal experiences.
Criticized for lacking objectivity; not scientifically valid for studying emotions or animal behavior.
Unable to address complex issues such as mental disorders.

Functionalism

Emerged in response to structuralism, led by William James.
Argued studying the mind's structure is futile; emphasized the mind's fluidity and continuous nature.
Advocated for studying the mind's functions—how it operates and adapts to the environment.
Introspection was also a key method in functionalist studies.

Gestalt Psychology

"Gestalt" means form or whole; opposed structuralism's reductionist approach.
Argued that to understand human experience, it is essential to view it as a complete whole rather than dissecting into parts.
Developed principles like:
- Simplicity: Interpret visual scenes in the simplest way.
- Figure-Ground: Distinguish between focal points and background.
- Phi Phenomenon: Illusion of motion from rapidly sequential images.
- Proximity: Objects nearby are perceived as grouped.

Psychodynamic School

Founded by Sigmund Freud, focusing on the mind's dynamics rather than just structure or function.
Introduced foundational concepts like the Id, Ego, and Superego.
- Ego: Mediates between Id's desires and reality, operates on the reality principle.
- Superego: Develops through morality, opposing Id's impulses to adhere to societal standards.
Other notable figures in psychoanalysis: Carl Jung, Anna Freud, Erik Erikson.

Neo-Freudian Perspective

Followers of Freud (e.g., Alfred Adler, Karen Horney) revised some of his theories.
Critiqued Freud's focus on innate drives, emphasizing social, cultural, and interpersonal factors in behavior development.

Neo-Freudian Personality Perspectives

Alfred Adler: Individuals strive for superiority to overcome feelings of inferiority.
Harry Stack Sullivan: Emphasized the importance of establishing rewarding relationships to reduce anxiety.
Karen Horney proposed personality types:
- Compliant Personality: Drawn to others, seeks love and validation.
- Aggressive Personality: Tests competitiveness and seeks admiration.
- Detached Personality: Values independence and self-reliance.

Behaviorism

Challenged previous schools of thought for their focus on the mind; initiated by John B. Watson in the 1920s.
Proposed that all behaviors are results of environmental stimuli, advocating observable behavior as key to understanding psychology.
Influential figures in behaviorism include B.F. Skinner and Edward Thorndike.

Description

Explore the foundational theories of psychology, including Structuralism, Functionalism, and Gestalt Psychology. Understand how each approach contributes to the examination of the human mind through introspection and functional analysis. Dive into the critiques and implications of these early psychological frameworks.