Personality Theories: Freudian and Eysenck's Theories of Personality

Running head: PSYCHOLOGY
PSYCHOLOGY
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1PSYCHOLOGY
Section 1
Introduction
Personality is the combination of behaviour, emotions, motivation and perceptions which
characterize an individual. Personality psychology endeavours to evaluate the similarities and
divergences in these patterns among different people and group. According to Shibutani (2017),
in 400 BC, Hippocrates a highly acute observer claimed that different personality types tend to
cause by the balance of bodily fluids. However, recent research has shown that biological and
genetic phenomena do not tend to influence personality traits. Gawronski and De Houwer (2014)
have noted that personality psychology drives individuals to consistently observe surroundings,
think, feel and behave in particular ways which develop the distinctiveness of individuals. By the
early years of the twentieth century, Sigmund Freud had begun to study about psychoanalysis
which had been described as a theory of the mind or personality and a method of exploration of
unconscious process in addition to a method of treatment (Parks-Leduc, Feldman & Bardi,
2015). Personality primarily comprises individuals’ actions through feelings consistent or
considerably steady, thus developing uniqueness in every individual. The purpose of the essay is
to explore the concept of personality in the field of psychology by shedding light on two
important personality theories namely Freudian and Eysenck’s theories of personality.
Furthermore, the essay will evaluate its strengths and weaknesses of both of the theories by
considering its implications.
Discussion

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The first of the modern personality theories was developed by Sigmund Freud and is
identified as psychoanalytic theory. Shibutani (2017) has noted that Freud’s ideas were abundant,
profound and typically drew controversy. Such a theory regarding personality has had extensive
influence on societies across the world through several diverse disciplines. Psychoanalysis
primarily seeks to explain the intricate relationship between the body and the mind and advances
the understanding of the role of emotions in mental illness and health. The implication and
validity of psychoanalysis as a theoretical aspect and treatment have been questioned since its
inception in the early 1990s (Funder, 2015). Critics have argued several aspects of
psychoanalysis including whether it relates to science or the value of the data which Freud had
based his theories in addition to method and value of psychoanalytic. Spezzano (2014) has noted
that Freud had explained the principle tenets whereby psychoanalytic theory is based on id, the
ego, and the superego. The id has the quality of being unconscious and constitutes everything
which is inherited and existing since birth. Additionally, the ego acts in response to stimulation
by either adaptation or flight, controls activity and strive to acquire pleasure and avoid
displeasure. Finally, the superego whose pressures are regulated by id and is accountable for
limitation of contentions and correspond to the influence of others such as parents, family
members, teachers and role models in addition to the influence of racial, societal and cultural
traditions. Sommers-Flanagan and Sommers-Flanagan (2018) have argued that Freud’s theory
has been lacking in empirical evidence and depends substantially on therapeutic achievements
while others have claimed that even Freud’s clinical data have been reported to be flawed,
imprecise and highly discriminating. Corr and Cooper (2016) have asserted that Freudian
psychoanalysis do not exhibit any predictions overt behaviour but based on concealed
psychological conditions.

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Meanwhile, Spezzano (2014) has claimed that has typically maintained that every human
being is neurotic to certain extent because of trauma and repression individuals have suffered
thus resulting to repress the trauma at one point in their lives. However, such a concept related to
ubiquitous repression is unattainable to test due to the lack of overt behavioural method of
execution. On the other hand, Shibutani (2017) has argued that Freudian psychoanalysis cannot
be distinguished as a scientific discipline as it lacks predictions. Drawing relevance from these
assertions Kline (2014) has stated that certain childhood events related to molestation, violence
or abuse tend to produce certain outcomes or conditions of neurosis. However, in order to
proceed with such claims, individuals must develop the competence to predict that if children
encounter certain abusive experiences abuse for instance they become characterized by certain
personality traits and attributes. Moreover, such a concept would be able to theoretically perform
in reverse. For example, Sommers-Flanagan and Sommers-Flanagan (2018) have opined that if
individuals are studied within neurotic conditions, an individual should attain the competence to
predict their childhood experience. However, these predictions can never be developed with
accuracy. While Shibutani (2017) has asserted that Freudian theory of personality cannot be
falsified and thus does not result to be scientific, Eysenck claimed that as Freud’s theoretical
assumptions can be inaccurate they tend to draw scientific explanations. Furthermore, Corr and
Cooper (2016) have harmonized with Eysenck’s assertions stating that Freud’s theory can be
fabricated it can be considered as scientific, thus asserting that Freudian personality theory of
psychoanalysis can be proven wrong.
However, to assess the areas of strengths related to Freud’s theory of psychoanalysis, it is
imperative to consider certain attributes of the theory. Revelle (2014) has shed light on the
efficacy of the theory whereby it seeks critical problems and its relevant application through