Personal development and psychology are closely interconnected, as the process of personal development often involves exploring and unders...
Personal development and psychology are closely interconnected, as the process of personal development often involves exploring and understanding one's own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In order to make positive changes in their lives, individuals must first gain insight into their own psychological processes and how they may be contributing to their current circumstances.
Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, believed that unconscious desires and motivations play a significant role in shaping an individual's personality and behavior. He proposed that the human psyche is made up of three parts: the id, ego, and superego. The id represents our primal instincts and desires, the ego represents our sense of self and our ability to make decisions based on reality, and the superego represents our moral and ethical values. According to Freud, the conflict between these three parts of the psyche can lead to psychological issues such as neurosis.
Research on success in reaching goals, as undertaken by Albert Bandura (1925–2021), suggested that self-efficacy best explains why people with the same level of knowledge and skills get very different results. Having self-efficacy leads to an increased likelihood of success. According to Bandura self-confidence functions as a powerful predictor of success as follows:
- It causes you to expect to succeed
- It allows you take risks and set challenging goals
- It helps you keep trying if at first you don't succeed
- It helps you control emotions and fears when life may throw more difficult things your way
Social psychology
Social psychology heavily emphasizes and focuses on human behavior and how individuals interact with others in society. Infants develop socially by creating trusting and dependent relationships with others—namely parental figures. They learn how to act and treat other people based on the example of parental figures and other adults they interact with often. Toddlers further develop social skills. Additionally, they begin to gain a desire for autonomy and grow more and more independent as they grow older. The balance of social involvement and autonomy varies per person, but normally autonomous behavior increases with age. Some studies suggest that selfishness begins to diminish, and pro-social behaviors increase, between the ages of six years old to twelve years old. Additionally, the years of adulthood are times of development—self-actualization, relational and occupational development, loss, and coping skills development, etc.—affected by those around us: parents, co-workers, romantic partners, and children. Social psychology draws from many other psychological theories and principles yet views them through a lens of social interaction.
Psychodynamic psychology
The psychodynamic view of personal development varies from other perspectives. Namely, that the development of our traits, personalities, and thinking patterns are predominantly subconscious. Psychodynamic theory suggests these subconscious changes—which emerge as external actions—are formed from suppressed sexual and aggressive urges and other internalized conflicts. Sigmund Freud and other notable psychodynamic theorists postulate that these repressed cognitions form during childhood and adolescence. Conscious development would then be "digging up" these repressed memories and feelings. Once repressed memories and emotions are discovered, an individual can sift through them and receive healthy closure. Much, if not all, of conscious development occurs with the aid of a trained psychodynamic therapist.
Cognitive-behavioral psychology
Cognitive-behavioral views on personal development follow traditional patterns of personal development: behavior modification, cognitive reframing, and successive approximation being some of the more notable techniques. An individual is seen as in control of their actions and their thoughts, though self-mastery is required. With behavior modification, individuals will develop personal skills and traits by altering their behavior independent of their emotions. For example, a person may feel intense anger but would still behave in a positive manner. They are able to suppress their emotions and act in a more socially acceptable way. The accumulation of these efforts would change the person into a more patient individual. Cognitive reframing plays an instrumental role in personal development. Cognitive-behavioral psychologists believe that how we view events is more important than the event itself. Thus, if one can view negative events in beneficial ways, they can progress and develop with fewer setbacks. Successive approximation—or shaping—most closely aligns with personal development. Successive approximation is when one desires a final result but takes incremental steps to achieve the result. Normally, each successful step towards the final goal is rewarded until the goal is achieved. Personal development, if it is to be long-lasting, is achieved incrementally.
Educational psychology
Educational psychology focuses on the human learning experience: learning and teaching methods, aptitude testing, and so on. Educational psychology seeks to further personal development by increasing one's ability to learn, retain information, and apply knowledge to real-world experiences. If one is able to increase efficacious learning, they are better equipped for personal development.
Psychologist
Erik Erikson, another influential psychologist, developed a theory of psychosocial development that outlines the stages of development an individual goes through from childhood to old age. Erikson believed that each stage of development presents an individual with a crisis that they must resolve in order to move on to the next stage. For example, in the first stage of development, infants must learn to trust their caregivers, while in the second stage, toddlers must learn to develop a sense of autonomy. According to Erikson, the successful resolution of these crises is essential for healthy psychological development.
Both Freud and Erikson's theories have had a significant impact on the field of personal development, as they offer insight into the psychological processes that shape our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By understanding these processes, individuals can better understand themselves and make changes to improve their lives.
There are many techniques and approaches within the field of personal development that are based on psychological principles, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps individuals change negative thought patterns and behaviors, and mindfulness meditation, which promotes self-awareness and emotional regulation.
In conclusion, personal development and psychology are closely interconnected, as the process of personal development often involves exploring and understanding one's own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The theories of psychologists such as Sigmund Freud and Erik Erikson have had a significant impact on the field of personal development and have helped individuals gain insight into the psychological processes that shape their lives. There are many techniques and approaches within the field of personal development that are based on psychological principles, which can help individuals make positive changes in their lives.
In addition to Freud and Erikson, there are many other psychologists and theories that have had a significant impact on the field of personal development.
One example is Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which outlines the various levels of human needs that must be met in order for an individual to achieve self-actualization, or the realization of their full potential. According to Maslow, these needs include physiological needs, safety needs, love and belonging needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization needs. Maslow's theory suggests that in order to achieve personal growth, individuals must first meet their basic needs and work their way up the hierarchy.
Another influential theory in the field of personal development is Carl Rogers' concept of the fully functioning person. Rogers believed that in order to achieve personal growth and fulfillment, individuals must be open to new experiences, able to accept themselves and others, and able to act on their own values and beliefs. He also believed that individuals have the innate potential for self-actualization and that the process of personal development involves helping individuals tap into that potential.
These are just a few examples of the many psychological theories and concepts that have had an impact on the field of personal development. By understanding these theories and applying them to their own lives, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and make positive changes in order to achieve their goals and live fulfilling lives.
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