Review: Exam 2
Chapter 9: Humanistic-Existentialist Aspect
Erich Fromm
Interested in economical and cultural roots of personality
o that is,
... [Show More] personality is a reflection of social class, minority status,
education, vocation, religious background, etc.
o believed we soak up our society and often believe that the ways of
our society are the only way to see and do things
Basic thesis is modern people have been torn away from union with
nature and with one another, yet have the power of reasoning, foresight,
and imagination (Fromm, 1947)
Result is human dilemma = humans are separate from nature and their
powerful instincts but have capacity to be reason and be aware of
themselves as isolated beings
This self-awareness contributes to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and
homelessness = basic anxiety
Given how intense and frightening this anxiety may seem, people may
attempt to flee from it and the burden of freedom
three mechanisms of escape and all three involve interpersonal
dependencies
Fromm asserted that self-realization through genuine love and work was
the healthy path to resolving the human dilemma
Personality is reflected in character orientation = person’s acquired way
of relating to people and things to satisfy needs (five types)
o Productive character = only one to move individuals toward selfrealization/actualization by using work as self-expression and truly
loving others and life
o Receptive character = feel source of all good lies outside
themselves and that the only way to relate to the world is to receive
things (e.g., love, knowledge, possessions)
o Exploitative character = feel source of all good lies outside
themselves but connect by taking, not receiving, things
1
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o Hoarding character = seek to save what they have already
obtained; keep money, feelings, and thoughts to themselves
(reminiscent of anal person)
o Marketing character = see themselves as commodities with
personal value dependent on ability to sell selves and adapt to
situation [Show Less]