Sullivan: Interpersonal Theory
CHAPTER 8 Sullivan: Interpersonal Theory B Overview of Interpersonal Theory B Biography of Harry Stack Sullivan B Tensions Needs Anxiety Energy Transformations B Dynamisms Malevolence Intimacy Lust Self-System Sullivan B Personifications Bad-Mother, Good-Mother B Psychological Disorders Me Personifications B Psychotherapy Eidetic Personifications B Related Research B Levels of Cognition The Pros and Cons of “Chums” for Girls and Boys Prototaxic Level Imaginary Friends Parataxic Level B Critique of Sullivan Syntaxic Level B Concept of Humanity B Stages of Development B Key Terms and Concepts Infancy Childhood Juvenile Era Preadolescence Early Adolescence Late Adolescence Adulthood 212 Chapter 8 Sullivan: Interpersonal Theory 213 he young boy had no friends his age but did have several imaginary playmates. TAt school, his Irish brogue and quick mind made him unpopular among school- mates. Then, at age 81/2, the boy experienced an intimate relationship with a 13-year-old boy that transformed his life. The two boys remained unpopular with other children, but they developed close bonds with each other. Most scholars (Alexander, 1990, 1995; Chapman, 1976; Havens, 1987) believe that the relationship between these boys—Harry Stack Sullivan and Clarence Bellinger—was at least in some ways homosexual, but others (Perry, 1982) believed that the two boys were never sexually intimate. Why is it important to know about Sullivan’s sexual orientation? This knowl- edge is important for at least two reasons. First, a personality theorist’s early life his- tory, including gender, birth order, religious beliefs, ethnic background, schooling, as well as sexual orientation, all relate to that person’s adult beliefs, conception of humanity, and the type of personality theory that that person will develop.
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