COMPARATIVE MATRIX

By: Maria Cristina Claret T. Barredo

A Comparative Matrix of Freud and Adler

 COMPARATIVE MATRIX

ASSUMPTION/CONCEPT

Freud’s
 A person’s development is determined
by events in early childhood.
 Human Behavior is driven largely by the
unconscious
 Attempts to bring into awareness meet
psychological resistance in the form of
defense mechanism; conflict between
conscious and unconscious (Repressed)
material can result in mental disturbance
such as neurosis, neurotic, anxiety,
depression etc.
 The Liberation from the effects of the
unconscious material is achieved through
bringing this material into the conscious
mind.
 All psychic energy is generated by the
libido.
 The mind is structured into two main
parts: the conscious and unconscious
mind.
 The Human personality can be divided.
Adler’s
 Humans are social by nature.
 Positive view of human nature.
 Striving towards goals.
 People are in control, not victims of fate.
 Personality created early in life.
 Growth model.
 Family constellation.
 Life tasks more important than life
stages.
 “Creative self” developed through
striving for superiority.
 Pathology may develop as an inferiority
complex from neglect, pampering or
organic deficiency.

HOW DOES ABNORMALITY DEVELOPS

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 HOW DOES ABNORMALITY DEVELOPS
Freud’s
 Freud believed adult abnormality was
caused by unresolved conflicts in early
childhood.
PSYCOTHERAPY
Freud’s
 Freud believed that people could be cured
by making conscious their unconscious
thoughts and motivations, thus gaining
insight.
 The aim of psychoanalysis is therapy is to
release repressed emotions and
experiences, i.e., make the unconscious
conscious. It is only having a cathartic (i.e.,
healing) experience can the person be
helped and cured.
 Psychoanalysis is a type of therapy that
aims to release pent-up or repressed
emotions and memories in or to lead the
client to catharsis, or healing (Mcleod,
2014)
Adler’s
 the neurotically disposed person is
characterized by increased inferiority
feelings, underdeveloped social interest,
and an exaggerated, uncooperative goal of
superiority, these
symptoms manifesting themselves as
anxiety and more or less open aggression.
Adler’s
 Adlerian therapy is an evidence-based
approach that can be applied successfully
in the treatment of any type of
psychological disorder or mental illness.
 Adlerian therapy may be used in
conjunction with other therapeutic
approaches such as play therapy, art
therapy, and culturally sensitive
counseling, as its best suits the needs of
individuals involved.
 Adlerian approach can be employed with
children, adolescents, adults, individuals,
couples, families, or another group.
 Concept of Humanity
Freud’s
 Freud believed that the central part of
human nature is as a result pf id and the
control of human decisions by the
superego. He argued that childhood
behaviors and experiences influenced a
significant percentage of adult
characteristics.
Critique
Freud’s
 Therapy is very time-consuming and is
unlikely to provide answers quickly.
 People must be prepared to invest a lot
of time and money into the therapy; they
must be motivated.
 They might discover some painful and
unpleasant memories that had been
repressed, which causes them more
distress.
 This type of therapy does not work for all
people and all types of disorders.
 The nature of Psychoanalysis creates a
power imbalance between therapist and
client that could raise ethical issue.

Adler’s
 Adler believed that people are basically
self-determined and that they shape
their personalities from the meaning
they give to their experiences. The
building material of personality is
provided by heredity and environment,
but the creative power shapes this
material and puts it to use.
Adler’s
 Two Weaknesses
 One of the weaknesses of the
Psychodynamic Approach is that most of
Freud’s is based on findings of case
studies, single individual where cases are
often unique and there are problems
with generalization.
 Second is that Freud did not take into
account cultural variations. Most of his
research was done on white, middle class
people. Every class and culture of people
have different ways and values, so his
findings cannot be generalized to all
cultures.