Essay 3 Introduction

Sigmund Freud’s classic psychoanalytic theories were modified by the theories of the Neo-Freudians psychologists such as Erik Erikson and Alfred Alder. They were two of the neo-Freudian psychologists who made significant contribution to the better understanding of human behavior. While agreeing with Freud on the ideas concerning the structure of personality and the importance of childhood experiences, they also disagreed with some of his other theories. In contrast to Freud’s theories of psychosexual development, Erikson proposed the theories of psycho-social which focused more on social interaction rather than sexuality. Alder’s theories also contradict Freud’s ideas of drives. He thinks that human beings are driven by the desire for perfection rather than sexuality and aggression. The theories of these Neo-Freudian psychologists contributed the broadening of Freud’s narrow point of view which created better understanding of human behavior.