Personality Overview
Personality Overview
Dena Couch
PSY 405
January 13, 2013
Dr. Chalice C. Jenkins
Personality Overview
This paper will analyze the strengths and limitations of two theories. Those theories are the interpersonal theory of Henry S. Sullivan and the analytical psychological theory of Carl G. Jung. This paper will compare and contrast interpersonal theory and analytical theory in relationship to basic or underlying assumptions, deterministic versus free will, and awareness of self (conscious versus unconscious motives for behavior).
Some of the assumptions made by Sullivan regarding interpersonal theory are that he believed that individual personality is developed through interpersonal relationships. In developing this theory Sullivan shows how the different stages people go through during development like infancy, childhood, juvenile, preadolescence, early and late adolescence, and adulthood are significant. The focus of this theory is based substantially on how individual relationships with others affect people (Feist & Feist, 2009). Sullivan believed that relationships do in fact change and affect the developmental stages of a person 's life during the course of their life. He thought that as people change it can affect or change the relationship they have with others. Sullivan believed that a person only has in their mind what has been embedded there through interpersonal relationships and those experiences had with other people. He did not believe that the mind could contain anything more than that. He believed that a person is only motivated by the environmental influences that stem from interpersonal relationships, and that an individual is not motivated or driven by their instincts at all. Based on Sullivan 's beliefs there would not be the presence of free will because he was of the mindset that people have only what is put there as determined through these interactions with others. "Sullivan hypothesized that, as one passes over one of
Dena Couch
PSY 405
January 13, 2013
Dr. Chalice C. Jenkins
Personality Overview
This paper will analyze the strengths and limitations of two theories. Those theories are the interpersonal theory of Henry S. Sullivan and the analytical psychological theory of Carl G. Jung. This paper will compare and contrast interpersonal theory and analytical theory in relationship to basic or underlying assumptions, deterministic versus free will, and awareness of self (conscious versus unconscious motives for behavior).
Some of the assumptions made by Sullivan regarding interpersonal theory are that he believed that individual personality is developed through interpersonal relationships. In developing this theory Sullivan shows how the different stages people go through during development like infancy, childhood, juvenile, preadolescence, early and late adolescence, and adulthood are significant. The focus of this theory is based substantially on how individual relationships with others affect people (Feist & Feist, 2009). Sullivan believed that relationships do in fact change and affect the developmental stages of a person 's life during the course of their life. He thought that as people change it can affect or change the relationship they have with others. Sullivan believed that a person only has in their mind what has been embedded there through interpersonal relationships and those experiences had with other people. He did not believe that the mind could contain anything more than that. He believed that a person is only motivated by the environmental influences that stem from interpersonal relationships, and that an individual is not motivated or driven by their instincts at all. Based on Sullivan 's beliefs there would not be the presence of free will because he was of the mindset that people have only what is put there as determined through these interactions with others. "Sullivan hypothesized that, as one passes over one of
References: Feist, J., & Feist, G. J. (2009). Theories of personality (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.