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Humanistic Theories Debate

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Humanistic Theories Debate
Humanistic Theories Debate
Stephanie Becker, Christy Healey, Veronica Kirk
PSY/310
February 02, 2015
Dr. Andrews

In the history of psychology, there are many debates about which psychologist, doctor, theorists or scientists’ theories were more important to the study. There are many contributors of great importance throughout history. Two contributors, Sigmund Feud and B. F. Skinner, two great minds, looked at many of the same issues in different styles.
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) was one of the most well known theorists in the world of psychology. He was a medical doctor who specialized in neurology. Freud developed his ideas, of the psychoanalytic theory, from working with mental patients. He was known for the development of a clinical observation on abnormal behavior, called Psychoanalysis. His development of psychoanalysis gives structure on dreams, the Oedipus complex, and symptoms of hysteria. Freud believed his theory of psychoanalysis, contributed towards the world of psychology, because he believed that we had no control under our own unconscious state of mind. Freud believed that conflicts that occurred in our early years, could have an impact on our behaviors well into adult hood. From his point of view; psychological distress, can be caused by unresolved issues stemming from childhood. He felt that human beings do not act out of free-will. and any actions where controlled, are by our inner conflicts. Freud’s theory of psychoanalysis, was forced into the world of psychology by the general public. The general public, were receptive to the ideas that contributed towards emotional problems, such as sex and violence. He believed that personality has three structures; these three structures are divided in 3 regions, the id, ego, and the superego. The id, which he believed is present right from birth, is influenced by sex and aggressive instincts. He describes the ego as reason and rationality. Superego, which was determined to be



References: Schultz, D. (2011).A history of modern psychology (10th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection Database. Reviewed Work: B. F. Skinner. A Life. by Daniel W. Bjork Review by: James W. Reed Science New Series, Vol. 262, No. 5138 (Nov. 26, 1993), pp. 1459-1460

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