Any topic (writer’s choice)

Respond to at least two colleagues:

Compare your response with your colleagues. Identify any insights you gained from your peers response.
Discuss whether or how to address values related to the development and use of a specific theory when working with clients.

Colleague 1

Freuds Psychoanalytical Theory

Freuds psychoanalytical theory basically stated that women have less strongly developed superegos. (Auld, F., Hyman, M., & Rudzinski, D. 2005. p. 219.) With the development of the Id, Ego and Superego, Freud looked into how behavior and personality is developed. According to Freud, women are more passive and men are somewhat more rigid in their application of moral rules. (Auld, F., Hyman, M., & Rudzinski, D. 2005. p. 219) Freud also introduced the idea of Penis Envy stating that women are envious of men and view men as being better.

Is Psychoanalytical Theory Appropriate for Women?

I do feel that some parts of the psychoanalytical theory can be utilized but the theory was based on a lot of assumptions so utilizing this theory can also be risky. In essence, theories can be developed and adjusted overtime to better fit the society we live in. Over time, theorists have developed more current theories that are more suitable when working with women and minority groups. When discussing the utilization of Id, Ego and Superego, I do believe that it is appropriate for women and trying to understand the development of behavior and personality.

Is the Psychoanalytical Theory Consistent with Social Work Values?

I do not believe Freuds psychoanalytical theory is consistent with social work values and ethics due to it lacking dignity and worth of the client. The psychoanalytical theory believes women are in a sense less than men and that women have penis envy. The theory lacks awareness of women and minorities so I think utilizing this theory may do more harm than good.

References

Auld, F., Hyman, M., & Rudzinski, D. (2005). How is therapy with women different? In Resolution and inner conflict: An introduction to psychoanalytic therapy (pp. 217236). Washington DC: American Psychological Association.

National Association of Social Workers. (2008). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English

REPLY QUOTE EMAIL AUTHOR

Colleague 2APSE
Freuds psychoanalytical theory was based on the concepts of the psychosexual drive energy. Freud seemed to assume that this drive created the internal fantasies that ultimately are responsible for the emergence of personality, social relations, and virtually every other aspect of human development (Turner, 2017). Freud went on to divide his theory into five categories. The first explained how anxiety and depression interfered with everyday functioning, the second focused on obstructions in child development, the third focused on the unconscious, asking that his audience lend meaning to those cryptic wishes (Turner 2017). The fourth category focused on the subject of infantile sexuality, broaching the idea that we were all born bisexual and that this stays with us throughout our lives, regardless of orientation. The fifth and final pillar of his psychoanalytic theory focused on mental health treatment for those who needed help, but whom were scared of the cultural stigma, which indicated that mental health was a disgrace.

As for whether or not it is inappropriate to apply psychoanalytic theory to women and individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups, I would have to think it was inappropriate. If using Freuds original psychoanalytic theory, Freud seemed to have a biased opinion regarding women. For example, he believed that women had less strongly developed superegos (Alud, Hyma, Rudzinski; 2005). In a sense, Freud seemed to believe that women were less than (mentally) compared to their male counterparts. I would not apply his version of the psychoanalytic theory to women due to the bias nature, but times have changed so further, differently understood versions of the psychoanalytic theory could possibly be used.

I do feel that the psychoanalytic theory does and does not follow social work values and ethics. Freud developed this theory as a means to help understand the link between the conscious and unconscious and to help others struggling with mental health. In that stance, the theory instills the values of service and social justice. Service is provided when social workers draw on their knowledge, values, and skills to help people in need and to address social problems (NASW Code of Ethics, 2020). Social justice is achieved when social workers pursue social change, particularly with and on behalf of vulnerable or oppressed individuals and groups of people (NASW Code of Ethics, 2020). Freud was wanting to provide a treatment to those whom were being oppressed (i.e. the mental health population). However, his biased opinions on women were seem as lacking competence, which means that in this sense, the theory did not follow the social work values. Competence means that social workers practice within their areas of competence and develop and enhance their professional expertise (NASW Code of Ethics, 2020). Again, Freud lacked this due to the biased opinions on women.

References:

Turner, F. J. (Ed.). (2017). Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches (6th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press