How does an excessively dependent personality (or character) develop, according to Freudian theory? How could these concepts explain Marla’s relationship with her mother? How do Fromm’s character orientations compare to Freud’s? How do these concepts compare to traits in trait theories?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

According to Freud’s theory, fixation at the beginning of the oral stage (i.e., the sucking part of the stage) results in a gullible personality, one that is excessively dependent on authority figures, which is similar to Fromm’s mother fixation and incestuous symbiosis. Thus, Freud’s theory could explain Marla’s relationship with her mother by suggesting that she was fixated at this stage, resulting in this type of personality.
Fromm’s character orientations are similar to Freud’s in that both theorists suggested a small, finite number of personality types. This is similar to the trait approach. However, trait theorists tend to discuss traits as consisting of individual characteristics, whereas both Fromm’s and Freud’s character orientations are composed of sets of characteristics. Fromm’s and Freud’s personality types do vary from each other, however, in their cause. Freud saw the causes of fixations that resulted in these personality types as being sexual in nature (i.e., due to the libido), whereas, Fromm saw the causes of character orientations as being social in nature.