Psychology

Eric Fromm is a psychology theorist who sought to explain human nature in relation to the notion of freedom. Drawing from Freud and Marxs points of view, Fromm analyzed mans personality not only as a biological entity but also as a societal character. This paper seeks to analyze a case study which depicts Fromms personality theory. The paper will describe the present case scenarios in respect to Fromms perspectives on freedom.

1.
According to Fromm, Marla and her mother exhibit a symbiotic family pattern. This sort of pattern is seen in families where individuals are not capable of developing their own personalities and instead are assimilated by others within their families. This results in a dependant relationship which is often a reflection of what the dominant family member wants or desires. In respect to the case study, this pattern can be seen in the relationship between Marla and her mother. Marla has no individual personality and her life revolves around making her mother happy. Initially a favorite child to her mother, Marla has since then made it her lifes purpose to serve her mother and do everything according to her. Another characteristic which can be observed from their relationship is how Marla relies on her mother to make decisions for her and even when she makes them it is only to include her mother in the process. When she is invited for a trip by Andrea, she cannot afford to live her mother behind and suggests that the mother joins them on the trip.  This relationship has led to the isolation of other family members like Marlas sister Andrea.

Fromm attributes this patterns occurrence to the societal characteristics which have often defined the roles and places individuals are meant to have in the society. In traditional societies, young girls grow up attached to their mothers who are representative of an ideal societal figure. These girls want to be associated with their mothers and often go to great lengths to please them. As a result, the young girls grow up in an environment which does not value the people that they are and this bars them from developing individual personalities. Fromm asserts in (Boeree, 2006), that freedom is quite complex and not all people are capable of taking responsibility for this freedom. This explains why symbiotic family patterns may occur. Some individuals unable to deal with their freedom cling on to others whom they trust to take responsibility.

2.
According to Fromms theory, the receptive orientation best describes Marlas personality. This personality manifests mostly in individuals in symbiotic family patterns. The submissive partner in the relationship expects to have their needs fulfilled by elements from outside themselves. Marla is not only submissive to her mother but she also expects the mother to hold all the answers to her questions, to make decisions on her behalf and to satisfy all her needs. At the mercy of her mother, Marla never seeks to fulfill her needs from within her being because she trusts her mother to be the ultimate provider. These sorts of personalities are found especially in low class societies where the people are dependent on the upper class to provide for them.

3.
Fromm outlines various existential needs which must be met for life fulfillment. The existential needs which have been met for Marla are relatedness and rootedness. On the other hand, the unmet needs are those of creativity, need for sense of identity and frame of orientation. Relatedness refers to the human desire to be linked to another person. This union allows individuals to overcome the separateness which naturally exists amongst human beings. Often illustrated as love, the need for relatedness can only be love when the individuals involved do not lose their individuality but instead maintain its integrity. Marlas need for relatedness has been met but in an unhealthy manner. Fromm accounts for such scenarios by explaining that this need for relatedness can exhibit ones desperateness to acquire it. Thus persons are prompted to find easier ways of establishing such relationships. Marla shares a strong bond with her mother. She relies on her mother for her wants and also takes cues from her on the right decisions to make in her life. In the true sense, Marlas need for relatedness has only been met partially as it has not resulted in a healthy relationship.

The existential need for rootedness emanates from the basic human desire to belong. This need is only fulfilled when individuals find a home where they feel that they truly belong. Marlas need for rootedness has been met but has also resulted in an unhealthy development. Fromm claims that the easiest way for human beings to gain rootedness is to maintain their links with their mothers. Marla remains close to her mother and feels safe and protected under the mothers care. However, instead of establishing other roots as an adult Marla still remains tied to her mother. Marlas is thus clinging to the only roots which she feels she has and this can be seen in the way she isolates herself from others and will only relate to her mother.

Marla has not developed a sense of identity mainly because she has sought to escape from her freedom by being dependent on her mother. Her life is not under her control but her mothers and this has led to her deformed personality. Fromm states that peoples need for identity can be quite overwhelming and they may be forced to conform to other peoples status in order to establish their own niche. Marla has a pretend sense of identity as it is not truly hers but it is a reflection of her mothers individuality. Also, Marlas need for creativity is unmet because she has not yet formed her own family and has no children. This is one of the many ways that human beings seek to transcend. Marla has not yet experienced this because she has not adapted to an individual identity which would allow her to seek outside relations which would prompt the desire for children. Her symbiotic relationship with her mother is the greatest barrier to the fulfillment of the need for creativity.

Another unmet need is the existential need for a frame of orientation. This is the need to develop an understanding of the world and life in general. Moreover, this understanding must be rational and one which provides individuals with meaning. Fromm relays that an individuals desperateness to seek meaning in life may lead them to accepting false rationalizations as the truth. Marla does not possess any affiliations which would assist her in understanding life since she is always attached to her mother. In addition, her unhealthy relationship with her mother lives no room for her mother to help her develop an understanding of the world.

4.
Marla has adopted the authoritarianism mechanism in order to escape from freedom. This mechanism allows individuals to blend with others in a hierarchical authoritarian system. Marla has submitted to her mothers authority by conforming to the mothers way of life. She is dependent on her mother and Marla has identified with her structural providence.  In playing the parental role, Marlas mother establishes rules for her daughter and sees to it that they are followed. On the other hand, Marla has learnt to submit to her mothers wishes and will make sure she follows the rules to the letter. Apart from this passive mechanism, Fromm also notes that there is an extreme side o the authoritarian mechanism. This is the masochistic version where individuals assert their structures to others as a way of escaping their individual identities.

From the above analysis, it is evident that the paper has provided an illustrative evaluation of Fromms personality theory. Marla, the main subject of the case study provides a suitable example in describing Fromms depiction of freedom. Emerging form a symbiotic family, Marla has no individual identity and uses the authoritarianism mechanism in order to escape from her identity. Fromms existential needs have also been outlined with the conclusion that only the needs for relatedness and rootedness have been satisfied in Marlas case. Furthermore, Marla has been described as having a receptive orientation personality. This has been derived from her characteristic of being dependent on her mother for the fulfillment of her needs and wants.