Erich Fromm (1900-1980) was a German social psychologist and psychoanalyst known for his theories on human behavior and social interaction. He is best known for his book The Art of Loving (1956) and his concept of ‘humanistic psychoanalysis’. He was one of the most influential psychoanalytical thinkers of the 20th Century.
Fromm’s theories were largely based on the works of Sigmund Freud, Karl Marx and Friedrich Nietzsche. Fromm was heavily influenced by the Frankfurt School of critical theory, and believed that humans must be understood in a social context. He argued that the human condition is characterized by alienation and anxiety, and that self-awareness is essential to understanding one’s place in the world.
Fromm’s theories can be divided into three categories: his psychoanalytical theory of character, his social-psychological theory of social character, and his humanistic theory of self-realization. Fromm’s psychoanalytical theory of character focused on the individual’s relationship with the world and how he or she interacts with it. He argued that humans are driven by an innate desire to express their personality in the world, and that this is what motivates them to pursue their goals and desires.
Fromm’s social-psychological theory of social character focused on the way that individuals interact with one another in a social context. He argued that our behavior is shaped by how we interact with others, and that our interactions are determined by our underlying character structure. Fromm believed that our characters are formed by our interactions with others, and that our behavior is influenced by our environment.
Finally, Fromm’s humanistic theory of self-realization focused on the development of human potential. He argued that humans must strive to become fully self-aware in order to reach their full potential. He believed that humans should strive to be authentic and free, and to live in harmony with the world around them.
Fromm’s theories have had a lasting impact on psychology and social theory. His work is still widely cited today, and his ideas have been used to develop psychoanalytical and social-psychological theories of human behavior.
References
Fromm, E. (1956). The Art of Loving. New York: Harper & Row.
Friedman, L. (2009). Erich Fromm: Social psychologist and psychoanalyst. In L. Friedman (Ed.), The Routledge Companion to Psychoanalysis. London: Routledge.
Robinson, J.P. (2003). Erich Fromm. In Encyclopedia of Psychology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Sarason, S.B. (1996). Erich Fromm: Prophet of humanistic psychology. American Psychologist, 51(11), 1030-1036.