Running Head: Traditional Psychodynamic Theories 1 Traditional Psychodynamic Theories 6 Name of the student: Course: Date: Psychodynamic theories are views that describe personality based on conscious and unconscious forces. Personality is the difference in an individual that makes the person have distinctive behavior, patterns of thought and feeling. Personality lends consistency to the character of an individual. The character of a person is shaped by both the environmental and hereditary forces (Matthews, G. et al., 2009). Personality mostly focuses on two broad area. These are understanding discrete differences in a particular trait of a personality such as sociability or irritability, and understanding the way different parts of an individual are joined as a whole. Famous theorists did work on the psychodynamic theories where they tried to explain the concept of personality. The leading theorists were Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, and Erik Erikson. Every theory focuses on explaining nature and the process of a character. The Object Relations Theory is also included in the group of personality theories. The theories perform psychoanalysis, a therapy that tries to disclose unconscious desires and thoughts. All psychologists do not accept psychodynamic theories. The theories have been criticized because of their lack of scientific data to support them. Freud’s theory: In this theory, Freud points out that personality includes ego, id, and the super-ego. He said that these three parts worked with each other to create the human character. The id makes a person to be responsible for seeking pleasure and instincts. The superego makes an individual to try to obey the rules of the elders and the society while the ego acts as a mediator between the id and superego on the basis of the demands of reality (Borden, W., 2009). For example, id makes people want food, the ego assists people in looking for a reasonable way to get food, and the superego holds the individual’s morality. According to Freud, the personality of a person is driven by id, superego, and ego. Strengths and weaknesses: The theory had both strengths and limitations. Let’s start with the advantages. One, the theory provides a broad framework for the description of the personality of persons. This approach was considered to have power in its explanation. However, it had limitations. Its major problem was that it was not scientifically valid. For example, the theory can help in explaining causes of an abnormality like a child trauma; however, it lacks research evidence to support it. The ideas of Freud were based mostly on his subjective analysis. Adler’s theory: Adler came up with the first holistic personality theory. His theory was connected to a humanistic philosophy of living. In his worker, he revealed an uncommon understanding of mental disorders and a big inspiration for.

1. Running Head: Traditional Psychodynamic Theories 1
Traditional Psychodynamic Theories
6
Name of the student:
Course:
Date:
Psychodynamic theories are views that describe personality
based on conscious and unconscious forces. Personality is the
difference in an individual that makes the person have
distinctive behavior, patterns of thought and feeling.
Personality lends consistency to the character of an individual.
The character of a person is shaped by both the environmental
and hereditary forces (Matthews, G. et al., 2009). Personality
mostly focuses on two broad area. These are understanding
discrete differences in a particular trait of a personality such as

2. sociability or irritability, and understanding the way different
parts of an individual are joined as a whole.
Famous theorists did work on the psychodynamic theories where
they tried to explain the concept of personality. The leading
theorists were Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, and Erik Erikson.
Every theory focuses on explaining nature and the process of a
character. The Object Relations Theory is also included in the
group of personality theories. The theories perform
psychoanalysis, a therapy that tries to disclose unconscious
desires and thoughts. All psychologists do not accept
psychodynamic theories. The theories have been criticized
because of their lack of scientific data to support them.
Freud’s theory:
In this theory, Freud points out that personality includes ego,
id, and the super-ego. He said that these three parts worked with
each other to create the human character. The id makes a person
to be responsible for seeking pleasure and instincts. The
superego makes an individual to try to obey the rules of the
elders and the society while the ego acts as a mediator between
the id and superego on the basis of the demands of reality
(Borden, W., 2009). For example, id makes people want food,
the ego assists people in looking for a reasonable way to get
food, and the superego holds the individual’s morality.
According to Freud, the personality of a person is driven by id,
superego, and ego.
Strengths and weaknesses:
The theory had both strengths and limitations. Let’s start with
the advantages. One, the theory provides a broad framework for
the description of the personality of persons. This approach was
considered to have power in its explanation. However, it had
limitations. Its major problem was that it was not scientifically
valid. For example, the theory can help in explaining causes of
an abnormality like a child trauma; however, it lacks research
evidence to support it. The ideas of Freud were based mostly on

3. his subjective analysis.
Adler’s theory:
Adler came up with the first holistic personality theory. His
theory was connected to a humanistic philosophy of living. In
his worker, he revealed an uncommon understanding of mental
disorders and a big inspiration for exhilarated optimal
development of humans. Adler said that when people feel
encouraged, they get a feeling of capability and appreciation,
and, as a result, they act in a cooperative way. On the other
hand, if they are discouraged, they may act unhealthy by either
withdrawing, competing or losing hope (Bienenfeld, D., 2006).
Adler said that for people to feel optimistic and fulfilled, they
must get ways of expressing and accepting encouragement,
social interest, and respect. The theory was a base for a mind
development and personal growth. In the case of personality, he
wrote that every person signifies a unity of personality, and
then the individual fashions the unity. The personality of an
individual can thus be compared to both a picture and the artist.
If a person changes their personality, they, therefore, change the
image to be printed.
Strengths and weaknesses:
The Adler theory had both strengths and limitation. In its
strength, it had an ability to generate research, organized data
and guide the specialist. The theory also gets a moderate rating
on thriftiness. However, it has weaknesses. To start, it is lowly
rated because it does not have operational definitions. Also, it
has a weak internal consistency, and there is falsification since
other theories can describe a good number of its related
research findings.
Erik Erikson: Theory of Psychosocial Development:
In his theory, Erikson showed the stages of psychological
development. He revealed challenges that a person must
encounter so that they can become successful in the stages that

4. follow. As an example, he said that a child should be able to
trust others as early as one-year-old. Failure to this, there will
be chances of him becoming fearful later in life because he
would have a feeling of distrust to others. In the second stage,
the child must develop autonomy otherwise there will be
chances of suffering from doubt and shame in the future. The
third phase is learning self-assert. This will make them avoid
the feeling of guilty in later life.
Fourth, there should be a development of the sense of pride to
prevent the sense of discouragement. The fifth stage is the
adolescence. They must have a strong identity sense to avoid
personality problems. The sixth stage is on a young adult. They
must be optimistic about the environment and avoid being
pessimistic. The seventh stage is in the middle adulthood. The
person feels productive. Last stage eight, there is ego integrity.
This is late adulthood stage. There is always a joy and positive
personality. In this theory, Erikson shows that the personality of
an individual develops in stages. These stages are respective
and failing at one stage, the personality of an individual can
change completely.
Strengths and weaknesses:
The strengths of the work of Erikson involved the eight
stages. The eight stages serve as a guide. It holds across culture
and times. He was able to characterize individual’s development
with marked stages. In the definition of culture, the stages are
used as an outline. He was also able to determine identity. The
theory is seen as well equipped to resolve issues of early
childhood. The weaknesses are that it is hard to accept the eight
stages. The timing in some cultures timing may not match the
eight stages.
Object Relations Theory
In this theory, an object is related to another by behaviors or
actions. These are influenced by the past interpersonal
relationship residues. The theory is about the relationship in a

5. group of people, mostly within a family. It shows that
personality depends on the group that an individual is in. They
acquire the behaviors from each other and their predecessors
(Jarvis, M., 2004).
Strengths and weaknesses:
In the strengths, the theory successful explains the personality
and the influence of a group on it. It shows how people in a
group change the behaviors of each other. However, it has
weaknesses. One, it is only applicable to groups such as
families. It ignores the whole society. Many generalizations are
made in the theory. It does not consider the social system and
norms. It is an interpersonal approach hence becoming limited
in its coverage.
References
Bienenfeld, D. (2006). Psychodynamic psychotherapy:
Psychotherapy in clinical practice. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins.
Borden, W. (2009). Contemporary psychodynamic theory and
practice. Chicago, Ill: Lyceum Books.
Jarvis, M. (2004). Psychodynamic psychology: Classical theory
and contemporary research. London: Thomson.
Matthews, G. et al. (2009). Personality traits. Cambridge, UK:
Cambridge University Press.
Grading Guide: Psychodynamic Theories Brochure
PSY/405 Version 4
1
Grading Guide
Psychodynamic Theories Brochure
This assignment is due in Week One.

6. Content
70 Percent
Points Earned
X/7
· Describes personality.
· Discusses the main tenets of each theory.
· Discusses how each theory applies to personality and behavior
· Discusses the strengths and limitations of each theory
Comments:
Organization and Development
20 Percent
Points Earned
X/2
· The assignment is the specified length.
· The assignment is clear and organized; major points are
supported by details, examples, or analysis.
· The tone aligns with the assignment’s purpose and is geared
toward the appropriate audience.
· The assignment provides relevant and sufficient background
on the topic.
· The assignment uses visuals appropriately and effectively and
excludes distracting or unnecessary elements.
Comments:
Mechanics and Format
10 Percent
Points Earned
X/1

7. · The assignment file is presentable and functional; for
example, the audio clips are audible, visual components are
viewable, and links work appropriately.
· Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are followed;
spelling is correct.
· The assignment is consistent with APA guidelines.
Comments:
Additional Comments:
Total Earned
X/10
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