Psychoanalysis in Sociology

Paper Summary:

The paper explains that the use of psychoanalytical theory can be relevant to interpretive sociology because it can deepen the sociologic perspective. The paper looks at how Marcuse and Fromm used the works of Freud and Marx to explain the repression in a "free" capitalist society while Mead explained the importance of the self as always changing through interactive behavior. The paper therefore concludes that these works are an important key to sociology through the psychoanalytic conception of the individual in society.

From the Paper:

"Freudian psychoanalysis plus Marxism's failure to conceptualize the individual in society was an important starting point for the Frankfort School theorists. Psychoanalysis states that all human beings are born with instinctual drives that are constantly active even though a person is usually not conscious of being driven. The use of psychoanalytical theory can be relevant to interpretive sociology because it can deepen the sociologic perspective. The theories of Herbert Marcuse and Erich Fromm are very influential in the marriage of Freudian psychoanalysis and the issues in a capitalistic society. The works of George Herbert Mead are also important in this aspect because he writes about the self in society and interactive behavior."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Fromm, Erich. 1970. The Crisis of Psychoanalysis. NY: Holt.
• Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 4/12/2005. George Herbert Mead.
• Lemert, Charles. 2004. Social Theory: The Multicultural and Classic Readings. 3rd ed. Boulder, CO: Westview.
• Marcuse, Herbert. 1964. One- Dimensional Man. Boston, MA: Beacon.
• Rickert, John. 1986. "The Fromm-Marcuse Debate Revisted." Theory and Society.

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