Opinion of 3 modules

Chris Traffanstedt 

1 posts

Re:Module 3 DQ 1

I believe the proper answer to our question is yes and no. First, I believe the neo-Freudians reflect more of Freud and his overall position than is often stressed. Erikson (1963) clearly states that Freud was wrong to teach that most of one’s personality is shaped by childhood events. Yet, most of his important work “Childhood and Society” is about how childhood events shape the person and society. Erikson along with other neo-Freudians have a strong point in that personality can be shaped after the psychosexual stages (Mitchell & Black, 1995). They point to society and various situations that a person can find themselves, that can bring life shaping change. The Freudian position still stands strong in the argument that the essential nature of a person is shaped in childhood.

 

There are many other neo-Freudian challenges to Freud that would suggest that sexual urgers are not primary. Many modern neo-Freudian’s find great problems with Freud’s negative view of human nature. However, this may be one of Freud’s strongest points to argue that humanity is not as good (positive) as any given society makes it out to be.

 

Also the ongoing stress that Freud only believed that personality was shaped in childhood could possibly be challenged by Freud’s stress that personality was created out of impulses and defenses (Mitchell & Black, 1995) which opens the door for ongoing personality shaping into adulthood.

 

Indeed, Freud did not spend much time on social influences upon behavior and personality as much as the neo-Freudian like to stress society. I do believe Freud was correct to establish the importance of childhood in shaping personality, which reminds our world of the importance of early childhood education and strong upbringing. Yet, I believe the neo-Freudians taking Freud’s system and expanding it are also right in stressing the great impact on society and the culture in which they live (much of this impact is in early childhood).

 

Overall, I think it is correct to say that Freud was right to stress the overarching impact of a person’s childhood on personality but also the importance of expanding the impact to society in later adult life.

 

Erikson, E. (1963). Childhood and society. New York: Norton.

 

Mitchell, S.A and Black, M.J. (1995). Freud and beyond. New York: Basic Books.