Chapter 8 Fromm: Humanistic Psychoanalysis 253Key Terms and Concepts
∙ (^) People have been torn away from their prehistoric union with nature and
also with one another, yet they have the power of reasoning, foresight,
and imagination.
∙ (^) Self-awareness contributes to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and
homelessness.
∙ (^) To escape these feelings, people strive to become united with others and
with nature.
∙ (^) Only the uniquely human needs of relatedness, transcendence,
rootedness, sense of identity, and a frame of orientation can move
people toward a reunion with the natural world.
∙ (^) A sense of relatedness drives people to unite with another person
through submission, power, or love.
strivings for happiness and health, which are part of the natural equipment
of [people]” (p. x).
On the dimension of free choice versus determinism, Fromm took a mid-
dle position, insisting that this issue cannot be applied to the entire species.
Instead, he believed that individuals have degrees of inclinations toward freely
chosen action, even though they are seldom aware of all the possible alterna-
tives. Nevertheless, their ability to reason enables people to take an active part
in their own fate.
On the dimension of causality versus teleology, Fromm tended to
slightly favor teleology. He believed that people constantly strive for a frame
of orientation, a road map, by which to plan their lives into the future.
Fromm took a middle stance regarding conscious versus unconscious
motivation, placing slightly more emphasis on conscious motivation and con-
tending that one of the uniquely human traits is self-awareness. Humans are
the only animal that can reason, visualize the future, and consciously strive
toward self-erected goals. Fromm insisted, however, that self-awareness is
a mixed blessing and that many people repress their basic character to avoid
mounting anxiety.
On the issue of social influences versus biological ones, Fromm placed
somewhat more importance on the impact of history, culture, and society
than on biology. Although he insisted that human personalities are histori-
cally and culturally determined, he did not overlook biological factors, defin-
ing humans as the freaks of the universe.
Finally, whereas Fromm placed moderate emphasis on similarities among
people, he also allowed room for some individuality. He believed that although
history and culture impinge heavily on personality, people can retain some
degree of uniqueness. Humans are one species sharing many of the same
human needs, but interpersonal experiences throughout people’s lives give them
some measure of uniqueness.