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Section: Psychology Essays
Both Freud and Fromm defined psychoanalysis as the art of making the unconscious conscious, both recognize that we resist knowing the truth and that resistances must be overcome. Their views of resistance vary however. Fromm believed repression is a constantly recurring process. He believed a person resists perceiving and knowing out of fear of seeing more than society allows or because the truth would force one to experience one's irrationality or powerlessness. Freud defined resistance more narrowly. He described it as repressed, unconscious wishes to maintain infantile sexual fantasies, and the childhood fear of being punished because of one's libidinal impulses, act as resistance to memory. These repressions cause neurotic patterns. Freud believed the key to analyzing and overcoming resistance is transference. The patient transfers desire and fear onto the analyst who becomes a substitute for figures of the past. Resistance will be overcome only if the "acting out" within analysis is interpreted and transformed into memories which can be worked through and reintegrated into a more mature psyche. Fromm proposed a broader concept of transference. He believed the analyst represents infantile authority, like the mother who solves all of her child's problems or the father who is never satisfied with his son's accomplishments. Instead of facing reality independently the patient continues to transfer interpersonal struggles and wishes. Fromm's approach tended to strengthen this type of transference and with it the patient's resistance to remembering. Freud's approach to technique could be more democratic than Fromm's, especially since Freud did not try to force fit the patient into a formula. Freud did advocate rules in the doctor-patient relationship, in part to protect himself. Freud did not like to be stared at all day; thus the patient lies on a couch and cannot see the analyst. Fromm on the other hand liked the humanistic face to face encounter. Sometimes his piercing eyes would freeze the patient and his intensity could provoke defensive reactions. Freud saw the analyst as a professional with technical training who should have a love of truth, a broad education in the arts and sciences, and knowledge of his own unconscious. Another subject that Fromm and Freud had different opinions on was religion. Fromm has been described as deeply religious, but still not believing in God. His childhood included a strong Jewish influence, but he rejected it because he wanted no part of organized religion. The most important aspect of religion for Fromm personally was the hope it offered.
"He praised "loving thy neighbor as thyself" as the most important standard for living."( Ewen 202) Fromm did contend that religion could have harmful effects. He felt religious organizations prohibition of birth control, could stifle healthy growth and development. He did not like the idea of so many different religions preaching different beliefs. He preferred to emphasize the commonness of all humanity. Freud regarded religious beliefs to be extremely harmful to the individual and society. "He viewed religion as a regression to infancy, when a helpless baby needed protection of an all-powerful parent."( Ewen 60) He hated religious ideas such as life continues after death and that all good is r Words: 1285
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