Theories_of_Personality 7th Ed Feist

Feist−Feist: Theories of
Personality, Seventh
Edition

II. Psychodynamic

Theories

8. Sullivan: Interpersonal
   Theory

© The McGraw−Hill^247

Companies, 2009

Chapter 8 Sullivan: Interpersonal Theory 241

competition, compromise, and cooperation—skills that will enable them to

move successfully through later stages of development.

• The most crucial stage of development is preadolescence(from intimacy
  with a best friend to the beginning of puberty). Mistakes made during this
  phase are difficult to overcome later.


• During early adolescenceyoung people are motivated by both intimacy
  (usually for someone of the same gender) and lust (ordinarily for a person
  of the opposite gender).


• People reach late adolescencewhen they are able to direct their intimacy
  and lust toward one other person.


• The successful completion of late adolescence culminates in adulthood,a
  stage marked by a stable love relationship.


• With Sullivan’s psychotherapy,the therapist serves as a participant
  observer and attempts to improve patients’ interpersonal relations.