Which of Fromm’s needs have been met for Betty? Which have not? Explain. How does Fromm’s theory compare with Erikson’s in their consideration of social influence?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Fromm suggested that we have needs including the needs for relatedness, transcendence, rootedness, a sense of identity, and a frame of orientation. Betty has had her relatedness need met to a certain extent: She has a husband and children, and her children have families of their own. However, the physical distance between her and her children, and her emotional distance from her husband keep this need from being met completely.
Betty’s need for transcendence has also been met through her family. This need to move beyond our passive nature by creating life is often met through reproduction.
Her need for rootedness was met when she stopped moving around to follow her husband’s career.
Betty’s need for a sense of identity has not been fully met. Although she partially fulfilled this need through her relationships with others, she also conformed to the expectations of society (e.g., marrying in order to not be an “old maid”; choosing a socially acceptable career for a woman and then giving that up after she was married), rather than forming her own identity through development of her own sense of self.
It is unclear from the case study whether Betty developed a frame of orientation. Her interest in marriage and motherhood roles suggests that this may be the focus of her philosophy of life but she also loses interest in making her marriage work.
Fromm’s and Erikson’s theories are similar in their emphasis in that they both discuss the influence of social factors on personality.