Question

Think about the psychology course(s) that you have completed, and then using your own understanding respond to the prompt below. You should not use any outside sources or materials when answering the question. This question is being used to assess MCC's Psychology Program only, NOT YOU. Prompt: Compare and contrast any two of the following concepts, theories, perspectives, or empirical findings listed below. When answering this question, your response must 2 Not indicate your name or other identifying information. 2 Use your own words. Do not use any outside sources or materials! Write your response in the text box at the bottom of the screen. 2 Be no more than 300 words (about 1 and half pages double-spaced if using 12-pt font). Compare and contrast only two items. Describe the central tenets, position, or findings of your 2 choices. Describe how your choices are both similar to and different from each other. Concepts, Theories, Perspectives, or Empirical Findings to choose from: Theories 2 Freud's Psychosexual Theory of Development Rogers' Humanistic Theory of Development 2 Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development 2Vygotsky's Theory of Social Development 2 Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development 2 Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Social-Cognitive Theory Trait theories of personality (e.g., the Big Five Personality Factors) Freud's Theory of Dreaming 2 Activation-Synthesis Hypothesis of Dreaming Concepts Classical Conditioning

Answer 1

As per my understanding the two most influential theories in the realm of psychology are Freud's psycho-sexual theory and Maslow's theory of self (though it should have also included rogers ). I have been a die heart fan of both as they have changed the way world has been classifying and understanding human behaviour.

Central postulates:

Freud talked about the life and death instincts, levels of consciousness, psycho-sexual stages of development, how problem at any stage can lead to disturbance in one's life, types of defense mechanisms and how over usage can lead to disorder. While Maslow talked about hierarchy of needs starting from basic or physiological to more and more spiritual and psychological in nature.

Both theorists were similar in the sense that they gave importance to the presence and gratification of needs at each level, they both also recognised the cultural/ environmental influence ( society, family and parental relationships) in shaping one's course of life. Both the theorist were bold in a sense. Freud dared to go beyond the conservative society of Victorian era to talk about things that were not acceptable ( aggressive and sexual needs that were seen as potent cause of abnormality) while Maslow dared to go against the conventional management based understanding that viewed humans as robots. Maslow gave a more humanistic approach to the study and recognised the basic goodness of every individual along with the drive to reach a much higher and fulfilled state.

Freud had a very pessimistic outlook towards human urges, whereas, Maslow saw them as positive beings.There are enormous amount of textual literature available to give even a slightest of propositions made by them, while some criticize them for being purely contextual in nature and highly theoretical as it is difficult to study and observe these phenomenon and processes empirically , but one thing is for sure that theorist certainly cant ignore them (even till date). This makes them more important than ever, even till now many renowned psychotherapist follow their theory and practice them in therapy.