A comparison of freud, jung and adlers key issues

A comparison of freud, jung and adlers key issues Freud, Jung and Adler are influential theorists that have specific positions across human nature, problem formation, change and techniques as it relates to personality theories. Freud’s theory is referred to as psycho-analysis, Jung’s is analytical psychology and Adler’s is individual psychology. All theories have similarities and differences as they seek to describe what factors contribute to the development, nurture and shapes of one’s personality. The theories of Freud, Jung and Alder â€Å"attempt to answer basic questions about the nature of personality† and examine whether we were born with a specific personality, whether the personality is a learnt behavior or whether it is influenced by unconscious or conscious forces (Schultz these are recurring modes of action that set in motion and produces a psychological state, the end result is a behavior that ultimately obtains pleasure. Adler’s view on human nature states that every individu al is unique and there is eccentricity and distinctiveness in human personality. His view on human nature differs from that of Freud’s and Jung’s concerning the idea of inherited personality components as a â€Å"superstition† (Erwin, 2010). Adler doesn’t believe that innate instincts motivate behavior like Freud and Jung; instead it is his opinion that goals and the preferred way of achieving them are selected by the human. Jung’s view of human nature is deterministic, spiritual and comprises of free will. He is of the opinion that humans are conflicted with opposing forces for example for every positive thought unconsciously there must be a negative one behind it. Freud’s view is similar in that it is also deterministic. He is of the opinion that no behavior by a human is a mistake; there is a specific reason for all actions. Freud, like Jung also believes that the unconscious mind influences behavior, however his stance differs somewhat b ecause his theory suggests that behavior is motivated through the unconscious mind. Adler’s view of human nature differs from that of Freud’s and Jung’s, his view is that feelings of inferiority and inadequacy motivate a person to strive for success. This drives continues throughout life and becomes the motivator of behavior and continues to influence goals. Freud defines the structure of personality using a topographic model that consists of the unconscious, the preconscious and the conscious. Jung’s idea on the structure of personality is similar to that of Freud’s, he too believes in the conscious and unconscious. However Jung’s differ in that he is of the opinion that difficulties and trying situations that develop in the unconscious mind exhibits itself in the conscious mind and alters the personality of an individual, at times the conscious and unconscious components may fuse together rather than remaining seperate and distinct (Erwin, 2010). On the other hand, Adler is of the assumption that personality does not have a specific structure but instead an â€Å"indivisible unity†. Adler does not agree with Freud and Jung that the majority of our personality is embedded within the unconscious, he believes that whatever thoughts and behaviors are stored in the unconscious are things that we wish to avoid, evade or don’t quite understand. Thus in the opinion of Adler, the conscious and the unconscious work hand in hand to comprehend and achieves one’s goals established by the being.