Psychology – Theories of Personality
Study Guide
Western Mindanao State University
I. Overview of Fromm’s Humanistic Psychoanalysis
Erich Fromm’s humanistic psychoanalysis looks at people from the perspective of psychology,
history and anthropology. Influenced by Freud and Horney, Fromm developed a more culturally
oriented theory than Freud’s and much broader theory than Horney’s.
II. Biography of Erich Fromm
Erich Fromm was born in Germany in 1900, the only child of orthodox Jewish parents. A
thoughtful young man, Fromm was influenced by the bible, Freud and Marx, as well as by
socialist ideology. After receiving his Ph.D., Fromm began studying psychoanalysis and became
an analyst by being analyzed by Hanns Sachs, a student of Freud. In 1934, Fromm moved to the
United States and began a psychoanalytic practice in New York, where he also resumed his
friendship with Karen Horney, whom he has known in Germany. Much of his later years were
spent in Mexico and Switzerland. He died in 1980.
III.Fromm’s Basic Assumptions
Fromm believed that humans have been torn away from their prehistoric union with nature and
left with no powerful instincts to adapt to a changing world. But because humans have acquired
the ability to reason they can think about their isolated condition-a situation Fromm called the
human dilemma.
IV. Human Needs
According to Fromm, our human dilemma cannot be solved by satisfying our anima needs. It
can only be addressed by fulfilling our uniquely human needs, an accomplishment that moves
us toward a reunion with the natural world. Fromm identified five of these distinctively human
or existential needs.
A. Relatedness
First is relatedness, which can take the form of (1) submission, (2) power and (3) love. Love, or
the ability to unite with another while retaining one’s own individuality and integrity, is the only
relatedness need that can solve our basic human dilemma.
B. Transcendence
Being thrown into the world without their consent, human have to transcend their nature by
destroying or creating people or things. Humans can destroy through malignant aggression, or
killing for reasons other than survival, but they can also create and care about their creations.
C. Rootedness
Rootedness is the need to establish roots and to feel at home again in the world. Productively,
rootedness enables us to grow beyond the security of our mother and establish ties with the
outside world. With the nonproductive strategy, we become fixated and afraid to move beyond
the security and safety of our mother or a mother substitute.
Study Guide
Western Mindanao State University
I. Overview of Fromm’s Humanistic Psychoanalysis
Erich Fromm’s humanistic psychoanalysis looks at people from the perspective of psychology,
history and anthropology. Influenced by Freud and Horney, Fromm developed a more culturally
oriented theory than Freud’s and much broader theory than Horney’s.
II. Biography of Erich Fromm
Erich Fromm was born in Germany in 1900, the only child of orthodox Jewish parents. A
thoughtful young man, Fromm was influenced by the bible, Freud and Marx, as well as by
socialist ideology. After receiving his Ph.D., Fromm began studying psychoanalysis and became
an analyst by being analyzed by Hanns Sachs, a student of Freud. In 1934, Fromm moved to the
United States and began a psychoanalytic practice in New York, where he also resumed his
friendship with Karen Horney, whom he has known in Germany. Much of his later years were
spent in Mexico and Switzerland. He died in 1980.
III.Fromm’s Basic Assumptions
Fromm believed that humans have been torn away from their prehistoric union with nature and
left with no powerful instincts to adapt to a changing world. But because humans have acquired
the ability to reason they can think about their isolated condition-a situation Fromm called the
human dilemma.
IV. Human Needs
According to Fromm, our human dilemma cannot be solved by satisfying our anima needs. It
can only be addressed by fulfilling our uniquely human needs, an accomplishment that moves
us toward a reunion with the natural world. Fromm identified five of these distinctively human
or existential needs.
A. Relatedness
First is relatedness, which can take the form of (1) submission, (2) power and (3) love. Love, or
the ability to unite with another while retaining one’s own individuality and integrity, is the only
relatedness need that can solve our basic human dilemma.
B. Transcendence
Being thrown into the world without their consent, human have to transcend their nature by
destroying or creating people or things. Humans can destroy through malignant aggression, or
killing for reasons other than survival, but they can also create and care about their creations.
C. Rootedness
Rootedness is the need to establish roots and to feel at home again in the world. Productively,
rootedness enables us to grow beyond the security of our mother and establish ties with the
outside world. With the nonproductive strategy, we become fixated and afraid to move beyond
the security and safety of our mother or a mother substitute.
