Both Freud and Fromm defined psychoanalysis as the art of making
the unconscious conscious, both recognize that we resist knowing the truth and
that resistances must be overcome. Their views of resistance vary however. Fromm
believed repression is a constantly recurring process. He believed a person
resists perceiving and knowing out of fear of seeing more than society allows or
because the truth would force one to experience one’s irrationality or
powerlessness. Freud defined resistance more narrowly. He described it as
repressed, unconscious wishes to maintain infantile sexual fantasies, and the
childhood fear of being punished because of one’s libidinal impulses, act as
resistance to memory. These repressions cause neurotic patterns. Freud believed
the key to analyzing and overcoming resistance is transference. The patient
transfers desire and fear onto the analyst who becomes a substitute for figures
of the past. Resistance will be overcome only if the “acting out” within
analysis is interpreted and transformed into memories which can be worked
through and reintegrated into a more mature psyche. Fromm proposed a broader
concept of transference. He believed the analyst represents infantile authority,
like the mother who solves all of her child’s problems or the father who is
never satisfied with his son’s accomplishments. Instead of facing reality
independently the patient continues to transfer interpersonal struggles and
wishes. Fromm’s approach tended to strengthen this type of transference and with
it the patient’s resistance to remembering. Freud’s approach to technique could
be more democratic than Fromm’s, especially since Freud did not try to force fit
the patient into a formula. Freud did advocate rules in the doctor-patient
relationship, in part to protect himself. Freud did not like to be stared at all
day; thus the patient lies on a couch and cannot see the analyst. Fromm on the
other hand liked the humanistic face to face encounter. Sometimes his piercing
eyes would freeze the patient and his intensity could provoke defensive
reactions. Freud saw the analyst as a professional with technical training who
should have a love of truth, a broad education in the arts and sciences, and
knowledge of his own unconscious. Another subject that Fromm and Freud had
different opinions on was religion. Fromm has been described as deeply
religious, but still not believing in God. His childhood included a strong
Jewish influence, but he rejected it because he wanted no part of organized
religion. The most important aspect of religion for Fromm personally was the
hope it offered.
“He praised “loving thy neighbor as thyself” as the most
important standard for living.”( Ewen 202) Fromm did contend that religion could
have harmful effects. He felt religious organizations prohibition of birth
control, could stifle healthy growth and development. He did not like the idea
of so many different religions preaching different beliefs. He preferred to
emphasize the commonness of all humanity. Freud regarded religious beliefs to be
extremely harmful to the individual and society. “He viewed religion as a
regression to infancy, when a helpless baby needed protection of an all-powerful
parent.”( Ewen 60) He hated religious ideas such as life continues after death
and that all good is r
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