rely heavily on the tests when making diagnoses (Wood, Garb, Lilienfeld, &
Nezworski, 2002). Instead, projective test results should be viewed as butone source of information about a client. They should be taken into consider-
ation along with information collected through interviews, observations, case
histories, and other psychological tests.
STRENGTHS AND CRITICISMS OF FREUD ’S THEORY
None of the approaches to personality covered in this book can spark an ar-
gument as quickly as Freudian theory. Every clinical psychologist and person-
ality researcher has an opinion on the value and accuracy of Freud ’s ideas.
Although few accept all of Freud ’s observations and postulates unquestion-
ingly, adherents of the Freudian view strongly defend the basic assumptionsFreud made about the nature of human functioning. Critics tend to be equallypassionate in their evaluations.
Strengths
Even if all of Freud ’s ideas were to be rejected by modern personality theor-
ists, he would still deserve an important place in the history of psychology.Freud ’s was the first comprehensive theory of human behavior and personal-
ity. Most subsequent personality theorists have found it necessary to point
out where their theories differ from or correct weaknesses in Freud ’s works.
Many of these psychologists built their theories on the foundation laid by
Freud, borrowing key psychoanalytic concepts and assumptions. As discussed
in Chapter 5, many of those who studied with Freud or were trained in the
Freudian tradition went on to develop and promote their own versions ofpsychoanalytic theory. In short, Freud’ s observations set the direction for
subsequent personality theory and research. Even recent approaches to per-sonality, although far removed from psychoanalytic theory, are probablyinfluenced in many ways by Freud’ s ideas.
Freud also can be credited with developing the first system of psychother-
apy. Today, treating psychological disorders through discussions with a ther-
apist is an accepted and widely practiced procedure. Although psychotherapy
might have evolved without Freud, it certainly would not have evolved the
way it did. Techniques such as free association, hypnosis, and dream inter-
pretation have become standard tools for many therapists. Indeed, some cli-
ents are disappointed to find their therapist has no couch and does not plan
to hypnotize them or interpret their dreams. Nonetheless, surveys reveal that
a large number of young as well as experienced psychotherapists identify
their perspective as “psychoanalytic ”(Mayne et al., 1994; Smith, 1982;
Spett, 1983).
In addition, Freud can be credited with popularizing and promoting im-
portant psychological concepts. For example, anxiety plays a key role in the
work of many psychotherapists, personality theorists, and researchers from
numerous areas of psychology. As discussed in Chapters 4, 6, and 16, many
of the topics researched by psychologists today have their roots in one or
more of Freud ’s concepts, even if they no longer carry much of the Freudian“Freud ’s greatest
achievement proba-
bly consisted in tak-
ing neurotic patientsseriously. ”
Carl JungStrengths and Criticisms of Freud ’s Theory 63