Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Can you compare and contrast Maslow and Freud's theories?

I think that one of the similarities between both
theorists is that they present a blueprint or configuration of what humans need to be
happy.  Both of them understand that happiness and contentment are both contingent on
the fulfillment of several conditions.  For Freud, this lies in understanding human
psychology and the factors that impact why we do what we do.  For Maslow, this is
fulfillment of the hierarchy of needs.  It is at this point where some interesting
contrasts emerge, as well.  For Maslow, the hierarchy is shown to be a rather linear
progression.  One starts at the bottom and progresses up.  This helps to bring out a
very controlled and almost "recipe- like" formula for actualization.  It is fairly
direct in accomplishing, in that the next level of the hierarchy is contingent on the
previous ones being accomplished.  Freud depicts consciousness in a different and more
challenging light.  For Freud, there is no directed end towards his theories. 
Consciousness and understanding the role of the subconsciousness is something that can
happen at any time during existence.  Unlike Maslow, there is not a directed outline
towards fulfillment.  The subconsciousness is without an end destination.  Rather,
Freud's development of psychotherapy helped to drive home the point that individuals can
only hope to understand the subconsciousness and not control it because it lies beyond a
certain degree of rational control.  This lack of power is something that is not seen in
Maslow's thinking.

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