Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Alfred Adler and William James, some of the best known theorists among the field of psychology, have influenced the study of psychology in the past, present, and future. The author reflects on the impact these individuals had on psychology, and recognizes the perspectives concerning the causes and the nature of human psychological functioning and the basic theoretical position of each theorist.

From the Paper:

" Sigmund Freud, founder of the psychoanalytic theory, became a prolific writer and although some theorists have presented many arguments regarding his idea, many have continued supporting his basic ideals and building their own personal theories. Freud's initial theory began on the premise of the fundamental idea that humans are born with an unconscious sexual drive as well as defenses against them. Freud also believed that one who had no sex drive was unnatural (Burger, 2008). Freud then correlated the interpretation of dreams into his theory that proved to be an important aspect of the psychoanalytical movement (Botstein, 2007). Although Freud was a man with a strong mind and appeared extremely head strong in his beliefs regarding the human mind he still had many followers. Freud believed that one goes through developmental stages and spent many years studying the course of each stage of life and the mind during each particular stage. Freud also describes the structure of these stages by the actions taken and based upon the psychic energy; libido, khanates, and finite, perhaps the reason for sex drive and the sensation. Not only did Freud identify the energies that psychic holds but Freud also studied the defense mechanisms used by the human mind; denial, avoidance, displacement, and repression. Freud's combination of energies, defense mechanisms and the concept of the mind prove to be a standing theory that has perhaps generated debate in many of the other theorists known to psychology."

Sample of Sources Used:

• (1997). Carl Jung... Psychologist. Monkeyshines on Health & Science, 20. Retrieved from MasterFILE Premier database.
• Goodwin, J.C. (2008). A History of Modern Psychology (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
• Lee, B. R. (Autumn 1999). Dreams, Jung and Hypnotherapy. Journal of Heart Centered Therapies, 2, 2. p.53. Retrieved February 04, 2010, from Academic OneFile via Gale:http://find.galegroup.com/gtx/start.do?prodId=AONE&userGroupName=apollo
• Nielsen, M., & Day, R.H. (1999). William James and the evolution of consciousness. Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, 19(1), 90-113. doi:http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pdh&AN=teo-19-1-90&site=ehost-live
• Vaughan, Wayland F., Boston U, Boston, MA, US, The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, Vol 21(4), Jan-Mar, 1927. pp. 358-371,US: American Psychological Association

Visitors who viewed this Term Paper also liked these:

• Analytical Essay # 68175 : "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse"
• Analytical Essay # 16612 : "Charity in "The Four Loves," by C.S. Lewis"
• Term Paper # 147542 : "The Foundations of Psychology"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: