Question

Describe what Murray said about the role of tension in the development of personality. Why should we or should we not desire a life free of tension?

Answer 1

Murray is strongly influenced by frued's psychoanalytical theory. He proposed 3 principles on humans personality.

1. Human's personality is strongly depends upon the physiological structure of human brain.

2. People always trying to reduce psychological tension.

3.Individual's personality continues to develop overtime and constructed based on all experienced events in life.

ROLE OF TENSION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONALITY:

This is based on Murray's 2nd principle that people always tries to reduce their psychological tension and physiological penology. When we reduced our tension then we will feel pride and enjoy that feeling. People are addicted to that feeling. Because lack of tension, life will be bored. So people always tries to solve puzzles , putting tasks, goals etc., When we set goals we will involve into problems. Problems generates tension and solving problems or reducing that tension gives enjoyment. So we set the goals. Another thing is while this whole process is going our personality will be developed rapidly. Because reaching goals are not a small task. With out great personality people don't reach the goals.

1.We set the goals to generate tension

2.While reaching goals people will face problems

3.Problem solving requires great personality and creative thinking

4.Person will develops these personality

5.Solves the problem

6.Solving problem reduces stress

7.Reducing stress gives pride and plesure.

People set goals for these pleasure. Therefore tension developed the person's personality.

Why should we or should we not desire a life free of tension?

We will not expect tension free life. Because lack of tension life becomes bored. Murray believed that we generate tension in order to have the satisfaction of reducing it. Ideal state of human nature involves always having a cetain level of tension to reduce.

So according to murray if there is any tension free state in person's life, person immediately generates tension results there is no tension free state in human's life.

Example: When we get bore we want to solve puzzles.