Psychoanalytic Versus Humanistic Approach

Running head: PSYCHOANALYTIC VERSUS HUMANISTIC APPROACH
PSYCHOANALYTIC VERSUS HUMANISTIC APPROACH
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PSYCHOANALYTIC VERSUS HUMANISTIC APPROACH1
Psychoanalytic approach was developed first by Sigmund Freud, in order to analyze
human behavior in relation to the human unconscious. During development of this theory -
the mind was used to be divided into conscious and the unconscious (Bargh, 2014).
According to this approach, the forgotten memories of childhood are stored in the
unconscious and this ‘unconscious’ continue to shape the human behavior after many years
(Mannoni, 2015). The unconscious thoughts, ideas, drives and memories continue to
chaperone what we think and how we react to conflicts, even to the day (Wittels, 2016).
According to this approach, the personality of a human being is highly influenced by the
events happening in the childhood (Lear, 2015). According to Freud, the events experienced
in the childhood leave a deep impression on person and when these events are forgotten or
repressed with passing time – they become a part of the unconscious. There are certain
defense mechanism of the human mind that help us forget what is painful. In psychoanalysis
approach, this long forgotten ‘information’ from the unconscious is bought to consciousness
in order help people get a release from traumatic emotions, repressed emotions. This process
is known as catharsis that aid the subjects, find a transformation in their lives. The
aforementioned defense mechanisms separate the consciousness from the ‘agonizing’
memories of the unconsciousness. But by the process of catharsis, the reconciliation can be
bought between the repressed emotions and person who is suffering from it. Different
techniques like free association, dream analysis are used in understanding of unconscious
motives and drives and the same are used to treat issues like depression, anxiety of the
subject. The important components of this approach strives to understand the Id, ego and
superego. Id is the part of the personality that contains the basic urges, the drives and the
motives. The ego part of the personality must aid to make a human in a rational way, to act in
accordance with the demands of the reality. The final development of personality is superego
which blends our thoughts with the moral standards passed on to us by society and our