Essay About Tenure Of Many Notable Psychologists And Carl Rogers

History and Theory Paper
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HISTORY AND THEORY PAPER
The world that we are stewards over is ever evolving, that includes, of course,
psychology. Over many years and during the tenure of many notable psychologists and
psychiatrists, theories that were considered new and promising yet unproven formed the
foundation for new theory exploration and discovery. Names like Carl Rogers and Sigmund
Freud built theories that are often applied in the field today and are useful, doubtful if they will
ever outlive their usefulness. This proves that Rogers and Freud had valid and useful insights
into the mind. Freud is well known for his work and development on the psychological
paradigm, also known as the theory of psychoanalysis (Stea, 2012). Rogers theory, the theory
known as the person-centered theory, is well known and his work is invaluable to todays
discoveries. Without these two revered individuals, it is possible that psychology would be seen
on a different landscaper, but it is not, and we continue to evolve our thoughts, knowledge, and
understanding of psychology as we as one human race continue to evolve.
Many professionals in the psychological arena consider Freuds psychoanalysis amounts
to a network of interpretations for the purpose of therapeutic treatments that can be applied to
many disorders found in the DSM. Freud started with the theory of psychoanalysis after Freud
worked with well-known J.M. Charcot, a neurologist. At this point, Freud sternly sided with the
notion that hysteria was caused by emotional disturbance and could not be caused by organic
symptoms with the individuals nervous system.
Freud applied his methods in treating individuals with mental disorders among others, by
applying the psychoanalytic methods he has worked on. During this time period of Freuds work,
some students and processional doctors among others joined him in his work to learn and assist.
Some notable individuals that joined his work were Alfred Adler and CG Jung. Psychoanalysis,
including theoretical underpinnings, has left their influential mark on psychiatry and psychology,
having much to do with the development of psychiatry and psychology as we know it today
(Psychoanalysis, 2011).
Psychoanalysis was a strong focus point of Freuds. Freud centered his attention on early
childhood, believing that early childhood is a critical time for gaining a more complete
understanding of an individuals psyche. Freud minded his intuition, coming to the conclusion
that conflicts in ones life did not occur later in life, but instead; realizing that conflicts occurred
during the individuals childhood. Many theories and other psychological processes were
possible because of Freuds theory that conflicts begin developing during the first part of a
childs life (Psychoanalysis, 2011).
Psychoanalysis is a key part of treatment for an individual however, it is important to
place distance between a patient receiving treatment and the professional administering
psychoanalysis treatment. Although keeping a distance during treatment, our world is evolving
and patients are seeking to deepen their interaction with their treating professional. As discussed
above, therapy has evolved, and in our modern world of psychology, the treating professional
does not always center the discovery aspect of treatment on the patients childhood, the focus
could also include current events in the patients life or focus on current events alone and, for the
moment, not discuss childhood. Psychoanalysis is keeping a foothold in our modern evolution of
psychology, however; psychoanalysis is quickly losing its foot hold, moving aside for new
developments such as cognitive treatments and other discoveries in the arena of neurobiology
psychoanalysis among other unrealized discoveries (2011).
C. Rogers was responsible for the creator behind person-centered psychotherapy.
Although Rogers had respect for Freud, Rogers did not accept Freuds idea that conflicts are
found only in childhood. Rogers also contended that individuals would mature and discover self-
actualization during an individuals lifetime (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). Rogers believed this
form of awareness was not psychotherapy but instead, Rogers believed this was counseling for
the individual. Most professional medical individuals believe that a relationship between a
patient and the professional is known as the patient-doctor relationship. Although this is a
common approach, Rogers had a different take on the subject. Rogers instead believed it was an
individual-to-individual relationship. With this approach, the patient is not doing all the talking,
rather the therapist is doing a majority of the talking with the patient. Rogers also was a avid user
of the word client instead of referring to the individual patient as patient. Rogers did this to give
the client an acknowledgement that the