Why did humanists object to psychoanalytic theories of personality?

• A. Because psychoanalytic theories focused too heavily on unconscious drives and ignored conscious experience and personal growth.
• B. Because psychoanalytic theories were based on scientific experimentation and objective measurement.
• C. Because psychoanalytic theories believed that all behavior was learned through conditioning.
• D. Because psychoanalytic theories emphasized the importance of free will and self-actualization.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the core focus of psychoanalytic theories, which emphasize unconscious drives, instincts, and early childhood experiences as primary influences on personality.
2. Step 2: Recognize that humanistic psychology emerged as a reaction to psychoanalytic and behaviorist approaches, emphasizing conscious experience, free will, and the inherent potential for personal growth.
3. Step 3: Identify that humanists objected to psychoanalytic theories because they believed these theories neglected the conscious mind and the individual's capacity for self-awareness and self-actualization.
4. Step 4: Compare the key differences: psychoanalytic theories focus on unconscious conflicts and deterministic forces, while humanistic theories highlight conscious choice and positive human potential.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the main objection from humanists was that psychoanalytic theories focused too heavily on unconscious drives and ignored conscious experience and personal growth.