Question

Discuss how the cultural, social, and historical contexts within which the Humanistic and psychoanalytic theories are derived have influenced their major tenants and framework.

Answer 1

The psychoanalytic theory or approach and the humanistic theory and approach can be said to be extremely divergent in terms of their major tenets, assumptions about human beings, and their framework. Delving into their cultural, social, and historical context will help one understand better why this is so.

First, coming to the psychoanalytic theory, Freud's major work came in a social context of strict morality, including a sexually repressed society, and a deeply misogynist one as well. This was during the late 19th century and early 20th century, when gender roles were strictly segregated and women were deemed to be the lesser sex in the wider society. It is no wonder that Freud's theory too, advocated these assumptions, as can be seen, most majorly, in his concept of 'penis envy'. The fixation with sexuality is also rampant in the psychoanalytical concepts of 'Oedipus complex' and the lesser talked about 'Electra Complex.' Also, importantly, this theory had quite a binary and rudimentary view of human beings, saying that they seek pleasure and avoid pain. This is akin to what we would say about any other living animal as well. As such, the nuances of aesthetic and spirit oriented growth were missing from this theory.

This missing aspect of growth was provided by the humanistic theory, which is considered, even today, to be one of the most positive, empowering, and growth-affirmative theories to have come out of psychology. However, even this theory emerged out of a historical and social context, which was a need for hope in the past turmoil and destruction caused by two successive World Wars, as well as the growing disillusionment with the reductionist behaviorist approach and its inability to answer many critical questions about human nature or bring about promised positive change. It was in this context that a theory talking about acceptance, lack of judgment, and unconditional positive regard emerged. It can be said that at that point in time, there was a desperate need among people to believe and imbibe these values, and to develop faith that humans did and could, indeed, aspire towards becoming better and more authentic versions of themselves.

The development of any theory emerges out of a question that may be overtly or covertly present in the society of that time, and is an attempt to provide solutions to the problems of that time. In the ways elaborated above, this holds true for these two theories as well.