Personality Theory Person Analysis free essay sample

The client I chose, George Costanza, showed me many behaviors and characteristics that I could use to explain and assess his personality. I observed him five times and decided that the best theory to describe his personality was the Psychoanalytic Social Theory by Horney. This theory focuses on anxiety and neurosis, both of which I believe George experiences a great deal of. Horneys theory argues that childhood and parental indifference is the main cause of neurosis in adulthood. George Costanza displays almost of all the neurotic needs which categorize neurosis and are used to fight the anxiety he feels. To start, Horney says that personality development is largely based on the amount and form of parental involvement. In one of my observations, George called his mother to tell her that he had gotten engaged. She asked to speak to his fiance, Susan, and immediately said â€Å"May I ask why? †, when Susan claimed her love for George. We will write a custom essay sample on Personality Theory Person Analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Georges father, also unsupportive, asked George if his fiance was even a woman. This is just one example of how George doesnt feel warmth and love from his parents. In my other observations, when George is in the presence of his parents, there is constant bickering, fighting and arguing. I would assume that, throughout Georges childhood, he had an unsupportive, cold childhood that did not allow him to feel wanted. Horneys theory states that if a person doesnt have their needs met as a child, this will lead to basic hostility which, in turn, leads to basic anxiety. Neurotic adults try to combat anxiety by imploring different types of neurotic needs. In one of my observations, George broke up with his girlfriend because she beat him in a simple game of chess. When Jerry asked him why he did this, George claims that he wouldnt be able to perform sexually in front of her now. In another observation, George is expecting an apology from an old friend who is on step 9 in Alcoholics Anonymous. Although, all of his friends get apologies, George still does not. This angers him greatly and he shows up at this mans job and loudly demands an apology that is not sarcastic and actually includes the word â€Å"sorry† in it. In both of these examples, George is displaying his need for power and control over others. This is just one of the neurotic needs displayed in Georges behaviors to fight anxiety. George also illustrates a great need for approval and affection. After George broke up with the girlfriend that beat him in chess, his best friend, Jerry, ponders why they break up with women for silly reasons. Together, they decide that theyre going to change their lives and attitudes towards women. George sits by the beach, alone, and sadly stares at all the happy couples he sees. At this point, he has a deep need for affection. Immediately after, he runs to Susans (a woman he knows) apartment and proposes at her door step. It seemed that his need for affection had been met. However, the next day Jerry tells George that he broke up with his current girlfriend. George is visibly hurt by this because together they had decided to make commitments to women. George also asks Jerry if he thinks Susan is good looking. George is desperately seeking approval from his best friend and feels isolated without it. At the end of this observation, George mopes out of Jerrys apartment with his need for approval not met. In my observations, I noticed a strong need for George to use others for his own benefit and exploit others to make life easier for himself. For example, George had to give a lecture on risk management for work. This required him reading a text book on the subject, except he didnt want to read it, he wanted to listen to it on tape. Although he thought they didnt make textbooks on tape, he finds out that blind people can get anything made on tape. He deliberately fails an eye test to be able to gain access to the textbook on tape. Not only does he display his neurotic need to exploit others, he also displays the need for social recognition and prestige at his job. In another observation, George is seen again exploiting others in order to fight his own anxiety. George is hoping to get a new apartment but the tenants board will be giving it to a man that survived a boat wreck about 50 years ago. The tenant board decided to hear both of their stories to decide whose was more tragic. George makes up a completely false story about a terrible life he had as a child. Although, Georges parents werent warm and affectionate at all, George makes up extravagant lies in order to get this apartment. In the end, George does not get the place, making his attempt at exploiting someone unsuccessful and creating additional anxiety. In general, I would say that George deals with his anxiety in a compliant way. He usually goes along with others, which is deepened by his need for approval and acceptance. When George began to date a woman, whom his friends said looked like Jerry, he panicked and broke up with her because of his friends jokes and thoughts. Georges compliant personality is also exemplified in the situation where Jerry and George decide to commit to women. George only adapted this new attitude because Jerry suggested it and encouraged it. However, the need for exploitation and social recognition follow the pattern of an aggressive personality. In both ways, neurotic needs are displayed and dealt with through Georges life. George Costanzas childhood was a typical environment for a neurotic adult to have been raised. His parents lacked warmth and understand as they constantly fought and whined at each other. Because of this, George developed basic anxiety and has to use ways to protect himself from feelings of isolation. Horneys neurotic needs are obvious in Georges actions and thoughts, which would be the main way I would assess Georges issues. Displaying these neurotic needs, according to Horney, would constitute George as a person having neurosis. George uses these needs to defend himself and make himself feel wanted. I would currently recommend more counseling because George is clearly still neurotic and his neurotic needs are interfering with, what could be, a happy, satisfying life.