Tysons unacceptable behaviour Essays

Tysons unacceptable behaviour Essays Tysons unacceptable behaviour Essay Tysons unacceptable behaviour Essay Horney asserted that a person who had suffered neglect, loneliness or hostility during childhood could lose touch with their real self by substituting any shortcomings it has for an ideal self. This ideal self then appears in the individuals mind to be more acceptable to other people. This process, along with the socio-cultural conditions surrounding a person during childhood was Horneys theory of the cause of a persons basic anxiety and that this was the stimulus for neurotic behaviour in adulthood. (Corey, 2001) Anxiety however, according to both theorists, could be abated by employing a defence mechanism. (Hough, 1998) Horneys version of these mechanisms states that a person who is suffering from basic anxiety would either move towards people, move against them or move away from them. Freuds description of the defences was slightly more succinct and included mechanisms such as denial, repression and displacement. Although Freuds description is slightly more concise, both theorists agree that when a person suffers from anxiety they will employ a defence mechanism which best suits the situation at hand so that the amount of anxiety suffered is reduced. Whilst both theorists have relatively similar views on the concept of defence mechanisms, they deviate most from each other on Freuds assertion of psychosexual stages of development. Freuds theory of personality included a description of five psychosexual stages of development, namely: Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency and Genital. In this he asserted that in order for a person to develop normally, their libidinal or sexual energy should travel through each stage to the final one thus allowing them to make the transition into healthy adulthood. However, from this perspective, if a person suffered from a traumatic experience during one of these stages, this could result in them becoming fixated at a particular stage making them vulnerable to crisis in later life. ( Ryckman, 2004, p46) Horney disputed Freuds theory of psychosexual stages, she believed that in order to develop into a mentally healthy adult a person who was treated warmly, fairly and considerately by supportive and respectful parents would develop into a well-adjusted adult. (Hough, 1998) Deviations to this type of upbringing according to Horneys view could result in alienation from the real self and a more ideal self is substituted for it. From Horneys perspective, the more a person deviates from their real self, the more neurotic their behaviour would be in later life. In order to elucidate these two different personality theories, and to determine whether Tyson was biologically determined to behave aggressively, or whether his environment moulded him into acting this way, the following discussion shall compare and contrast them with reference to events in Mike Tysons life. Evidence supporting or disputing parts of the theories shall be suggested and an example of research into a similar situation with other people shall be put forward. Evaluative comments surrounding the theories shall be noted where appropriate and the conclusion shall show that socio-cultural factors are crucial in determining a persons behaviour. It has been noted by Gutteridge Giller, (1996, p14) Tysons Mother felt trapped in an abusive and violent relationship and she sought solace from her harsh existence through alcohol. The authors then go on to state that Tyson felt neglected and unloved by her and this continued until her death. Considering Horneys view of personality, it could be argued here that the feelings of neglect and lack of love experienced by Tyson, from an early age, stimulated within him a need to feel safe. In turn, this need for safety may have evoked feelings of anger and resentment towards his Mother because she did not respond to his needs. However, Tyson could not portray these negative feelings towards his Mother because he depended upon her for food and shelter. From Horneys viewpoint this could be cited as the catalyst for Tysons subsequent violent behaviour. In short, anyone who provoked Tyson into feeling unsafe, just as his Mother had, was then met with an aggressive reaction. Therefore in support of Horneys theory, the socio-cultural conditions Tyson was raised in had a significant influence upon his behaviour as it forced him into reacting aggressively towards anyone who made his safety feel threatened. Further evidence to support this argument is clear when considering Tysons treatment towards women in adult life. Tyson was imprisoned for the rape of one female and arrested for the assault of four other women on different occasions. (Gutteridge Giller, 1996) Arguably, these females did not respond to Tyson in the way he expected and their rebukes made him feel unsafe or unloved. However, Tyson was now independent, rich and had no need for dependency anymore. This change in circumstances enabled him to react aggressively toward anyone who made his safety feel threatened. This example illustrates the cause of Tysons unacceptable behaviour when his safety was under threat. Therefore it should be expected from this that a person would behave in an acceptable manner when their safety was not threatened. This concept is apparent when considering the point made by Hoffer, (1998) He stated that Tyson had the happiest and most content years of his life with his adopted Father Cus DMato. It is extremely noticeable that Tyson did not find himself in trouble during this particular period in his life. Arguably he felt loved, wanted and special by DMato and his family and as his feelings of safety were not under threat, he behaved in an acceptable manner. This illustration goes some way to uphold Horneys theory that a safe and loving environment can have a positive effect on behaviour. However, considering this argument from a Freudian perspective would be quite radically different.