Early Explorations of the Social Development of Personality
By:
THEODORE MILLON and
Seth Grossman
Carrie Millon
Sarah Meagher
Rowena Ramnath
Erich
Fromm (1947) was one of the early theorists to reinterpret Freud along social
lines. Although constructing his model in accordance with the same themes,
Fromm questioned the relevance of biological forces as the prime element in character
development. Instead, he emphasized the interpersonal transactions between
parent and child. For example, the compulsive pattern was seen to result not
from frustrations experienced at the anal stage, but from the behavioral models
exhibited by a rigid and meticulous parent.
According
to Fromm, four problematic character orientations develop from early
interpersonal learning experiences.
The
first, the receptive character, is characterized by a deep need for external
support from parents, friends, and authorities. All things that are good or necessary
are found outside the self.
The
second, the exploitative character, extracts what it wants from others, either
by force or cunning. Pessimistic, suspicious, and angry, these characters feel
incapable of producing on their own.
The
third, the hoarding character, achieves a sense of security by saving and
keeping. Rigid and orderly, they are miserly about their possessions and thoughts,
sharing almost nothing.
Finally,
the marketing orientation is ever ready to adapt itself to what others expect
or require. As such, they have little that is stable and genuine in their own
makeup because they are always “selling” themselves to others.
References
Personality Disorders in Modern Life,
second edition, 2000, 2004 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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