u03d2 Impact of Theory - Psychoanalysis, Behaviorism, Humanistic

According to the text, psychoanalysis has impacted the field of psychology through unconscious psychological phenomena, behaviorism has impacted the field by applying science in understanding human behavior, and humanistic psychology has empowered individuals to be in control of their lives. Discuss the impact of psychoanalysis, behaviorism, and humanistic psychology on the psychology profession generally and in your field of work specifically.

Response Guidelines
Respond to at least two other learners. Your responses to other learners are expected to be substantive in nature and reference the assigned readings, as well as other theoretical, empirical, or professional literature to support your views and writings.

Although Freud and psychoanalysis are the most frequently cited topics in psychological research today, the tenets of psychoanalytical thought is still debated within the professional psychological community. Even John Watson called psychoanalysis voodooism, although later both he and Skinner incorporated the language of psychoanalysis into behavioralism (Schultz & Schultz, 2008). Scathing attacks on anything German as a result of the Zeitgeist of WWII made Freuds work a tentative proposition for mainstream psychology for several years. Moreover, academicians rejected psychoanalysis on the basis that it did not meet the rigorous standards of scientific experimentation. Academic psychology sought to reestablish the primacy of academic psychology by discrediting psychoanalysis through numerous, yet questionable, standardized research. Eventually valid psychometric studies confirmed psychoanalytical concepts of oral and anal personality types, castration anxiety, emotions and dreams, and some aspects of Oedipus complex in boys (Schultz & Schultz, 2008). Furthermore, some recent research confirms that unconscious influences and concepts can be scientifically verifiable and may be even more influential than Freud originally speculated. However, controversy surrounding psychoanalysis stills abounds. Many psychologists propose that acceptance of psychoanalysis is based on intuitive appearances of plausibility (Schultz & Schultz, 2008). Even Freud argued that the only people qualified to judge his findings were psychoanalysts. Freud was harsh on those he considered dissenters, disassociating himself from former students who disagreed with his theories. Arguments against psychoanalysis were abundant and voluminous. Freuds collated research data consisted of what he recalled. It is argued by critics that he may have reinterpreted the data to substantiate his theories. Other critics contend that he used coercive techniques, invalid standardization and unreliable client data in developing his theories. Antecedents to the humanist school of thought rejected Freuds overemphasis on biological factors in personality development. Freud indeed was very influential but many question whether the legacy of his work is still effectual. Although Freud is still very much with us informing social policy and entire worldviews many believe psychoanalysis seems to have run its course and Freuds legacy has been radically undermined. Even though critics give Freud some credit at least for loosening the cultures prejudices on sex, most consider the seduction theory (where Freud switched his explanation of adult psycho-neurosis from childhood sexual trauma to childhood sexual fantasies) to be a paradigm that his critics cite as a paramount example of Freuds fraudulent approach to data, theory, method, and treatment. They purport when the causes could no longer be defended as factual, he just made them unconscious. Many of the foundational notions in

Freuds edifice have either been rejected or simply put aside within the psychological profession (Dufrense, 2007). However, there is no denying that psychoanalysis has made a significant mark on professional psychology. Research supports defense mechanisms of repression, unconscious conflicts, anxieties, projection and displacement. However, the popularity of psychoanalysis has been somewhat supplanted by less expensive drug therapy, behavioral and cognitive therapies. To date, research utilizing multi-item self-report measures with practicing psychologists has provided evidence of consistency with respect to the apparent positions of three major theoretical orientations: psychodynamic, rational-behavioral, and humanistic-experiential (Poznanski & McLennan, 1995). Furthermore, the recent success of drug therapy and the influence of managed care facilities, has led some psychologists and clinical therapists away from the psychic school of thought to a somatic approach to treating mental illnesses. Anthony Rhodes References Dufrense, Todd. (2007).Against Freud: Critics Talk Back. Stanford, CA:Stanford University Press, xv + 180 pp. ISBN 0804755485 Poznanski, J., & McLennan, J. (1995, October). Conceptualizing and measuring counselors' theoretical orientation. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 42(4), 411-422. Retrieved September 9, 2009, doi:10.1037/0022-0167.42.4.411 Schultz, D. P. & Schultz, S. E. (2008). A history of modern psychology (9th ed.). Belmont: CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. ISBN: 9780495097990.