OUGD501 Context of Practice Comparison between Interactionist Theories and Psychoanalytical Theories Study Task 01

Freud's psychoanalytical theory of the ego/id/super ego, explores a similar approach to the mind (to interactionist theories) in that he theorises the layers of consciousness that both Stryker and McCall and Simmons draw attention to. What makes this interesting is the examination of how this develops. Freud cites the fact that all of us start out as completely instinct and self preservation (id) and the ego and the super ego are developed through environmental and social interaction. In much the same way that McCall and Simmons discuss the 'negotiation' of identities as part of social 'interaction' tailoring the inner self to what the situation calls for. Stryker's variation on interactionist theory differs slightly in the way it approaches the sense of self; the identity portrayed is the identity inside, or one of them at least. This difference of an external and internal self is what makes McCall and Simmons' theory much closer in nature to that of Freud. Freud's theory of the ego ideal also relates closely to McCall and Simmon's Theories; they cite the concept of the ideal self, which is what identities in the salience hierarchy are measured up against and shaped around. Freud's ego ideal is what the central ego spends its time attempting to become, these are obviously kin concepts. Their understanding of role identities also plays into this same area, outlining them as parts that we all play depending on our social position and the expectations of those around the individual. Stryker's interactionist theory surrounding how social expectations shape the identities in our salience hierarchy can also feed into this. This is because our 'ideal self' or 'ego ideal' is shaped around our social and career goals and the people that surround us and their expectations.

Lucan expands on Freud's ideas in his famous theory of 'the mirror stage'. This also explores the development of this sense of a layered identity from this (id) origin at which we all start. The graduation from Freud's all id to a mix of id, ego and super ego, is sign posted and catalysed by the recognition of ones self in mirrors; advanced form of self recognition and self awareness. This understanding of the self completely dependent on external forces seems to be the major theme throughout these identity and psychoanalytical theories.