The Great Debate

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The Great Debate Introduction: I'd like to know why, the other day, I had this random thought: "I'm a bit hungry. I'd like to eat a carrot. " Two theories would explain this seemingly unimportant thought as follows: Behavioural - As a child, you received positive verbal reinforcement for eating a carrot, and still expect such positive factors to happen if you continue such behaviour. Psychoanalysis - You are trying to suppress your hidden cravings for violence and sex by sublimating your energy into random thoughts, although some unconscious "id" needs are being shown - after all, a carrot is a phallic symbol. In the first part of this paper I shall summarise the concepts of Psychoanalysis and Behaviour theories, as in my view theory in itself is an argument for a concept. Theory is a collection of propositions to illustrate principles of a subject (Oxford Dictionary, 1976). Secondly this paper explores similarities concerning the theories, eventually leading to a conclusion concerning their significance in today's therapeutic arena. Freud's Psychoanalytic Model:- The data and observations are gathered from case studies of clinical practice in psychoanalysis, as well as from Freud's self-analysis. The key motivational forces are sex and aggression; the need to reduce tension resulting from internal conflicts. Personality is structured around three interacting components (id, ego, superego) operating at three levels of consciousness (conscious, preconscious, unconscious). Developmental emphasis is on fixation or progress through psychosexual stages; experiences in early childhood (such as toilet training) can leave a lasting mark on adult personality. Origins of disorders are unconscious fixations... ... middle of paper ... ...e. McGraw-Hill. New York. Sachs, Judith. (1997) Nature's Prozac Simon ans Schuster Ltd, West Garden Place Kendal Street London W2 2AQ Siegel, Alan Bryan (1985): Dreams- The Mystery That Heals In : The New Holistic Health Handbook. Shepherd Bliss (Ed) Distributed by Viking Penguin Inc 40 West 23rd Street, New York, New York USA The Concise Oxford Dictionary (1976) Oxford University Press Ely House, London W.1 (web address:-www.courses.washington.edu) Weiten, Wayne. (1995) Themes and Variations 3/e Brooks/Cole Publishing Company 511 Forest Lodge Road Pacific Grove, CA 93950 USA. Wolpe. J. (1990) The practice of behavior therapy. Pergamon Press Elmsford, New York, USA. Young, Robert. M. (1995) Whatever Happened to Human Nature? The Winnepeg Lectures and related Essays Process Press Ltd. 26 Freegrove Road London N7 9RQ.

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