Describe his/her personality from ONE of the following perspectives: Trait perspective, Cognitive/Behavioral Perspective, Psychoanalytic Perspective, or The Social-Learning Approach

Assignment Brief

From the vignette provided below

1. Include an Introduction identifying the scope of your paper.
2. Briefly introduce your subject.
3. Describe his/her personality from ONE of the following perspectives: Trait perspective, Cognitive/Behavioral Perspective, Psychoanalytic Perspective, or The Social-Learning Approach (Use a heading to make it clear which perspective you are describing).
4. Highlight the significant terms associated with your chosen perspective. For example, in discussing the subject from a psychoanalytic perspective, you will stress important terms such as "the unconscious," "the id,"the ego," "the Super Ego,"defenses," and so forth.
5. Use your chosen perspective to inform a case conceptualization (i.e., your understanding of the client’s issues).
6. Use your chosen perspective to develop a plan for counseling this client.
7. Include a summary of your paper.

Incorporate 5-7 peer reviewed, academic sources. Sources must be recent, i.e., published within the past 10 years. This paper must be in APA format. The paper should be 2,750 words (+/- 275 words) excluding title and reference pages. The highest quality academic source you can access is a peer-reviewed, scholarly journal article. For a quick definition of peer-review, please see this brief video tutorial: What is a Journal and a Peer Review Article? Contact the librarian for search advice if you require additional support: pgraham@yorkvilleu.ca.

The Case of Jane

Jane is an only child. She was born naturally with no complications at birth. Jane’s parents divorced when she was eight years old. Her father was an alcoholic and had regularly beaten her and her mother. Jane describes both parents as very critical of her behavior and emotions. She reports one experience where she was forced to sit in a closet for hours because she cried when her pet goldfish died. After the divorce, according to Jane, neither parent wanted her so she went to live with an aunt who remained distant and aloof toward her, only meeting her basic needs for food and shelter. Jane began cutting her arms and legs with a razor blade after the move. She did poorly academically. She would often threaten to kill herself but no one took these threats seriously. Jane had difficulty maintaining friendships. Her former friends describe her as unpredictable and intense. For example, she would often yell at them, “You don’t really want to be my friend so get out of here” and other times she would beg them to stay with her. They report that Jane would get upset if she did not get her way. Jane reports that she enjoys being around others and longs for companions. She attends as many parties as she can, even ones she has not been invited to. She explains that she feels “more alive” when around others. Jane reports that she is frequently bored and often feels empty inside. She likes to drive her car as fast as she can on back country roads. She often turns off the headlights and flies through four-way stops and reports that she likes the thrill. She has been married twice, both times very passionate but stormy relationships. She once tried to stab her second husband during one of her violent rages because she wanted to sell their home and buy a houseboat and he did not. She had just watched a TV show where a couple had done this. Jane shops frequently, especially when she is stressed or depressed which seems to occur quite often. She has declared bankruptcy numerous times in her life and blames the credit card companies for letting her buy so many items on credit. She has tried a number of drugs over the years, but mainly uses alcohol to “deaden the pain.” Jane has been fired from numerous jobs due to issues with getting along with co-workers, customers, and managers. She was also caught stealing from one of her employers. Jane often reports feeling anxious and unhappy.

Sample Answer

Understanding Jane: A Psychoanalytic Case Conceptualization

Introduction

This paper explores the personality and behaviour of a fictional case subject, Jane, through the lens of the Psychoanalytic Perspective. Drawing on Sigmund Freud’s theory of personality development, this perspective provides insight into how Jane’s early experiences, unconscious conflicts, and defense mechanisms contribute to her current psychological distress. The scope of this paper includes an overview of Jane’s background, an analysis of her personality through psychoanalytic terms, a case conceptualisation explaining her maladaptive behaviours, and a counseling plan based on psychodynamic principles. The aim is to provide a coherent explanation for Jane’s symptoms and propose therapeutic interventions grounded in psychoanalytic theory.

Subject Overview

Jane is a 30-year-old woman with a traumatic childhood marked by parental neglect and abuse. Following her parents` divorce at age eight, she was placed in the care of an emotionally distant aunt. Jane began engaging in self-harm, exhibited suicidal ideation, and struggled with emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships. Her behaviour is characterised by impulsivity, intense mood swings, a need for social validation, and a chronic sense of emptiness. Jane has a history of unstable romantic relationships, financial mismanagement, substance misuse, and occupational difficulties. She also displays reckless behaviour, such as dangerous driving and impulsive spending, which suggests deeper psychological conflicts and unresolved trauma.

Psychoanalytic Perspective

The Psychoanalytic Perspective, first developed by Sigmund Freud and later expanded by theorists like Melanie Klein and Otto Kernberg, centres on the idea that human behaviour is largely influenced by unconscious processes. Freud proposed that personality consists of three components, the id, ego, and superego, which operate in dynamic tension. The id is the source of instinctual drives, the ego mediates reality, and the superego incorporates moral standards. Psychological distress arises when these components are in conflict, particularly when the ego is unable to manage the demands of the id and superego.

In Jane’s case, psychoanalytic theory can help explain her impulsivity, emotional instability, and reckless behaviour. These are likely manifestations of an overactive id and a weak ego, which lacks the capacity for effective self-regulation. Additionally, defense mechanisms such as projection, splitting, and acting out are evident in her interactions and coping strategies.

Significant Psychoanalytic Concepts

• The Unconscious: Jane’s traumatic childhood experiences, particularly the abuse and neglect by her parents, likely reside in her unconscious mind, influencing her present behaviour without her full awareness.

• Id, Ego, and Superego: Jane`s impulsive acts (e.g., reckless driving, substance use) are indicative of id dominance. Her ego appears underdeveloped, unable to manage internal conflicts or adhere to societal expectations. The harsh criticisms from her parents may have contributed to an overly punitive superego, resulting in chronic anxiety and guilt.

• Defense Mechanisms: Jane employs acting out (e.g., self-harm, shopping sprees), splitting (idealising or devaluing others), and projection (blaming credit card companies) to cope with overwhelming emotions.

• Object Relations: Jane’s early relationships have shaped her internalised views of self and others. The lack of consistent nurturing may have resulted in unstable internalised object relations, leading to her fear of abandonment and difficulty maintaining relationships.

Case Conceptualisation

From a psychoanalytic standpoint, Jane’s behaviour reflects early developmental arrest, possibly during the oral or anal stages of psychosexual development. The unresolved trauma of parental rejection and abuse, coupled with emotional deprivation from her aunt, may have impeded the formation of a stable ego. Her intense need for social interaction and validation suggests a fixation at the oral stage, where dependency needs were unmet.

Her borderline personality features, such as mood swings, unstable relationships, and identity disturbances, can be viewed through the lens of object relations theory. Kernberg (1975) proposed that borderline personality organisation arises from splitting of self and object representations, an adaptive mechanism in children exposed to neglect or inconsistent caregiving. Jane’s interpersonal volatility and fear of abandonment support this conceptualisation.

Moreover, Jane’s compulsive behaviours (e.g., shopping, substance use) serve as temporary relief from unconscious anxiety and a sense of emptiness. Her reckless driving and suicidal ideation may be understood as repetition compulsion, where she unconsciously re-enacts her trauma in an attempt to gain mastery over it. These behaviours are expressions of intrapsychic conflict, especially between pleasure-seeking drives and moral constraints internalised from critical caregivers.

Counseling Plan Based on Psychoanalytic Therapy

A psychodynamic approach would be most appropriate in treating Jane. This involves exploring unconscious conflicts, strengthening ego functions, and working through early relational trauma. The following plan is proposed:

Therapeutic Alliance

Establishing a strong therapeutic relationship is crucial. Given Jane’s fear of rejection and emotional volatility, the therapist must maintain consistent boundaries and a non-judgmental stance, offering empathic attunement to her distress.

Continued...