Problem:
Respond to at least this colleague:
Compare your response with your colleague's. Identify any insights you gained from your peer's response.
Explain whether or how to address values related to the development and use of other theories in general when working with clients. Need Assignment Help?
Include citation and reference to response
Mine:
Summarize the assumptions of Freud's psychoanalytical theory in 2-3 sentences.
Freud's psychoanalytic theory explains personality development through three key structures: the id, ego, and superego (Turner, 2017). His theory centers on the internal conflict between right and wrong that influences human behavior and decision-making. The id represents our basic impulses and desires, similar to the way a child wants immediate gratification without considering consequences. In contrast, the superego acts like a parental voice that enforces rules, morals, and expectations. It reflects the guidance we receive growing up such as being told to attend school, complete homework, earn good grades, and follow societal rules. The ego serves as the mediator between these two forces. While the id might push for constant pleasure and the superego demands strict responsibility, the ego works to balance them by finding realistic solutions for example, focusing on school during the week while allowing time for enjoyment afterward. Through this balance, the ego helps individuals satisfy both desires and moral expectations. Freud's theory ultimately highlights the internal struggle between good and bad that shapes people's final decisions. Additionally, Freud believed that personality develops through several stages of growth that individuals must progress through in order to function successfully as adults.
Explain whether you believe it is appropriate to apply psychoanalytic theory to women and individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups.
Applying Freud's psychoanalytic theory to women and people from racial and ethnic minority groups can sometimes be viewed as inappropriate or insensitive. According to Yuliya Yakushko (2021), Western psychological frameworks developed in the Global North are often rooted in racist, colonial, and sexist assumptions. However, I agree with the idea that early childhood development plays a significant role in shaping who a person becomes as an adult. Childhood experiences can have lasting effects on behavior and self-perception. For instance, a child who was bullied because of their appearance or body size may grow up feeling pressured to diet or become overly focused on improving their physical image as a result of those early experiences. At the same time, Freud's theory can still be useful if clinicians apply it with cultural awareness and sensitivity. When mental health professionals approach clients with strong cultural competence, they are better able to recognize which aspects of the theory are appropriate for each individual situation. This allows them to adapt the framework in a way that respects the client's cultural background and personal experiences.
Explain whether you believe psychoanalytic theory is consistent with social work values and social work ethics.
At its core, some aspects of Freud's theories were accurate and contributed valuable ideas to psychology. However, he often held harsh and biased views toward women. His perspectives on women and infants' conflict with the values and ethics of social work. Social workers are responsible for helping and supporting individuals without judgment, while setting aside their personal beliefs and biases. According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW, 2021), professionals should not discriminate against others based on race, religion, culture, beliefs, color, gender, age, physical or mental ability, or marital status. Freud also appeared to overlook or disregard the experiences of minority groups. Because of this, his theory does not fully align with the social work code of ethics, particularly regarding discrimination toward women and marginalized populations. Despite these limitations, his work still provides a foundation for understanding certain psychological concepts. In social work and related fields, professionals may not agree with every theory, but they can still draw useful insights from them to expand their knowledge and improve their practice.
References:
National Association of Social Workers. (2021). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers.
Turner, F.J. (Ed.). (2017). Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches (6th ed.) Oxford University Press
Yakushko, O. (2021). On the dangers of transnational influences of Western psychology: Decolonizing international perspectives on women and therapy. Women and Therapy, 44 (1-2), 193-211.
Colleague:
Freud's psychoanalytic theory argues that human behavior is developed through three fundamental structures, the id, ego and superego (Franklin, & Jordan, 2017 p. 20). The id functions as basic impulses and desires while the superego functions as a conscious within morals centered within social constructs while the ego acts as a mediator between the two. The objective within this theory is fundamental change within the individual working with the provider.
Research shows that psychoanalytic theory based interventions improve their clients presenting challenges beyond objective psychotherapies (Franklin, & Jordan, 2017 p.21) and may be applied to women and individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups, but it should be used critically. Scholars such as Olga Yakushko (2021) argue that Western psychological theories are often exported globally as universal frameworks, which can overlook cultural differences and reinforce Western perspectives. However, psychoanalytically based approaches may still appeal in some non-Western contexts because they emphasize history, subjectivity, multiple emotional states, relationships, and the influence of social environments. These elements can be valuable when considering the complex cultural and relational experiences of women and minority groups, but they should be adapted to fit different cultural contexts.
Psychoanalytic theory is consistent with social work values and ethics because it not only supports clients in understanding and dealing with their past challenges but also the providers. "The NASW's mission requires assisting the social worker in dealing with their own psychological issues to enhance their practice and prevent clinical contamination" (Franklin, & Jordan, 2017, p. 22). Additionally by focusing on human behavior based within social constructs and history, this theory aligns with the dignity and worth of a person.
References:
Franklin, C., & Jordan, C. (Ed.). (2024). Turner's social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches (7th ed.). Oxford University Press
Chapter 2, "Psychoanalytic Theory" (pp. H15-H19)
Yakushko, O. (2021). On the dangers of transnational influences of Western psychology: Decolonizing international perspectives on women and therapy. Women and Therapy, 44 (1-2), 193-211.