Fromm’s Psychosocial Theories of Development
In this paper, I have chosen to examine Erich Fromm’s psychological theories pertaining to the development of an individual. I will examine all aspects of Fromm’s psychological and social theories as they apply to an individual’s development, analyzing them particularly against my own development. I will also examine how his theories regarding unhealthy development, or psychopathology, relate to particular events in my own development. Finally, I will conclude by examining how Fromm’s theories regarding society and psychological development of the individual relates to Scripture.
Fromm’s Psychological Theories
Erich Fromm’s psychological theories regarding personality development have been described …show more content…
Funk states that “what drives the person, especially internally, are conscious and unconscious psychic impulses, with which the person satisfies his or her need to be related to reality, to other people, and to him- or herself, the implementation of these impulses largely being the result of his or her adapting to the demands of societal cohabitation” (Funk, 2013). There are six criteria that need to be met during an individual’s development in order for the individual to fully develop and become a fully realized person who embraces their role within society. Half of the criteria focus on connection with others, and the other half of the criteria focus on the development of the self with respect to external influences. The six criteria are: relatedness, transcendence, rootedness, identity, frame of orientation, and stimulation (Engler, 2009). Relatedness is essentially an individual’s ability to relate to others and eventually empathize with others, which creates a sense of belonging to a social order and responsibility as a contributing member of society. Transcendence is essentially an individual’s acceptance of their existence and efforts to create meaning of existence. Rootedness is a sense of belonging beyond simplistic human connection; it is a sense of belonging to a greater community, for example nationalistic pride. Identity is accepting oneself as a separate individual with unique …show more content…
In terms of Relatedness, I believe that I currently have strong bonds to family members and to close friends. I am capable of not only sympathizing with people who are both familiar and unfamiliar to me, but also empathizing. While my family bonds have not always been the strongest, it is something that I have accepted and have worked on. Rootedness—the ability to see oneself as a member of a larger community—is something that I have never had an issue with. I have always felt a strong connection with community, whether it’s my Church community, my hometown or home state, the University community, or my country. As a member of each community, I have been able to foster a sense of belonging and pride and have found deep personal fulfillment and meaning in being a member of each. I find that Transcendence, Frame Orientation, and Identity are fairly closely related. Transcendence and Frame Orientation work together to provide a sense of meaning and purpose. My own Frame Orientation has allowed me to figure out my role not only in the world but within each smaller community that I am part of, helping me to discover the things that drive my passions, the things that I am best at, and help me define myself in a truly self-actualized way. I believe that Stimulation or Excitement is part of this as well, as I have been able to find excitement
In this paper, I have chosen to examine Erich Fromm’s psychological theories pertaining to the development of an individual. I will examine all aspects of Fromm’s psychological and social theories as they apply to an individual’s development, analyzing them particularly against my own development. I will also examine how his theories regarding unhealthy development, or psychopathology, relate to particular events in my own development. Finally, I will conclude by examining how Fromm’s theories regarding society and psychological development of the individual relates to Scripture.
Fromm’s Psychological Theories
Erich Fromm’s psychological theories regarding personality development have been described …show more content…
Funk states that “what drives the person, especially internally, are conscious and unconscious psychic impulses, with which the person satisfies his or her need to be related to reality, to other people, and to him- or herself, the implementation of these impulses largely being the result of his or her adapting to the demands of societal cohabitation” (Funk, 2013). There are six criteria that need to be met during an individual’s development in order for the individual to fully develop and become a fully realized person who embraces their role within society. Half of the criteria focus on connection with others, and the other half of the criteria focus on the development of the self with respect to external influences. The six criteria are: relatedness, transcendence, rootedness, identity, frame of orientation, and stimulation (Engler, 2009). Relatedness is essentially an individual’s ability to relate to others and eventually empathize with others, which creates a sense of belonging to a social order and responsibility as a contributing member of society. Transcendence is essentially an individual’s acceptance of their existence and efforts to create meaning of existence. Rootedness is a sense of belonging beyond simplistic human connection; it is a sense of belonging to a greater community, for example nationalistic pride. Identity is accepting oneself as a separate individual with unique …show more content…
In terms of Relatedness, I believe that I currently have strong bonds to family members and to close friends. I am capable of not only sympathizing with people who are both familiar and unfamiliar to me, but also empathizing. While my family bonds have not always been the strongest, it is something that I have accepted and have worked on. Rootedness—the ability to see oneself as a member of a larger community—is something that I have never had an issue with. I have always felt a strong connection with community, whether it’s my Church community, my hometown or home state, the University community, or my country. As a member of each community, I have been able to foster a sense of belonging and pride and have found deep personal fulfillment and meaning in being a member of each. I find that Transcendence, Frame Orientation, and Identity are fairly closely related. Transcendence and Frame Orientation work together to provide a sense of meaning and purpose. My own Frame Orientation has allowed me to figure out my role not only in the world but within each smaller community that I am part of, helping me to discover the things that drive my passions, the things that I am best at, and help me define myself in a truly self-actualized way. I believe that Stimulation or Excitement is part of this as well, as I have been able to find excitement