Freud contends that personality development is virtually complete by about age 5 or 6 Sullivan argues that personality continues to develop through late childhood and adolescence, influenced by such factors as interactions with one's schoolmates, the preadolescent chum, and the emergence of the lyst dynamism, Do you agree with Syllivan or Freud? Why?

Short Answer

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The short answer will be completely subjective and dependent on the student's personal interpretation of both Freud's and Sullivan's theories. Students must offer a personal opinion, supported by their understanding of the theories and their application in real life.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Freud's Theory

Freud's theory suggests that personality development is virtually complete by about age 5 or 6. This assertion is based on his psychosexual stages, where he argued that early childhood experiences have a profound impact on an individual's adult personality.
02

Understand Sullivan's Theory

On the other hand, Sullivan argues that personality continues to develop through the late stages of childhood and adolescence. According to Sullivan, factors such as interactions with peers (schoolmates and preadolescents), and the emergence of the 'lyst dynamism' (sexual stem of motivation), influence the development of personality.
03

Formulate Your Position

Reflect on both Freud's and Sullivan's theories based on your understanding and experiences. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of each theory, and how they have been demonstrated in your life or the lives of people you know. Formulate an opinion on whether you agree more with Freud or Sullivan.
04

Support Your Position

Offer reasons or evidence for your position. This could include personal examples, examples from people you know, general observations, or supporting research and literature. It's important to present well-thought-out arguments, as this will aid in the comprehension and clarity of your opinion.
05

Draw a Conclusion

Craft a concise and thoughtful conclusion that sums up your opinion and the reasons behind it. Be sure to address the question directly - do you agree more with Freud or Sullivan, and why?

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Consider the case material in the Appendix. How would Sullivan explain the causes of this man's anxiety, given the following information? (a) His mother suffered from frequent anxiety, and her hand often shook when she held his hand. (b) His mother often referred to relatives and friends in such negative terms as thoughtless, inconsiderate, and likely to hurt one's feelings. (c) He often feared his father's angry criticism and ridicule, but was not afraid of his mother. (d) He could not find a way to alleviate his painful anxiety.

(a) Sullivan rejects Freud's construct of libido on the grounds that "physical energy is the only kind of energy I know." Do you agree with Sullivan or Freud? Why? (b) Describe the purpose of dynamisms in a single sentence. (c) Give examples of behaviors that represent the same dynamism but differ in form and/or intensity.

How might a person who frequently tries to increase his or her self-esteem by demeaning and ridiculing other people use personality theories to make better decisions and live a more fulfilling life?

Sullivan has been criticized for attributing the formation of the self-system primarily to the opinions of other people, and ignoring the distortions caused by the child's own misperceptions and incorrect thoughts. Give a real-life example to illustrate how the child's own errors significantly affect the development of the self-system.

Both Sullivan and Jung were particularly interested in schizophrenia. How might Sullivan's concept of the parataxic mode be related to: (a) Jung's construct of synchronicity? (b) the kinds of constructs devised by both theorists?

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