A Psychobiography

John Lennon: A Psychobiography Dayana Osorio Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree MAGISTER ARTIUM IN PSYCHOLOGY In the Department of Psychology at the Faculty of the Humanities University of the Free State Bloemfontein 2016 Supervisor: Prof. J. P. Fouché Photograph of John Lennon Photograph retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/melissa4071gmai/the-greatest- band-everthe-beatles/ i Acknowledgements This research is the result of the continued support from influential people, I wish to express my gratitude and thankfulness to: Professor Paul Fouché, for initiating my interest in the field of psychobiography as well as for his encouragement, guidance and patience throughout this study. Dr Pravani Naidoo, for her assistance and contribution in the proposal for this study. Ms Jenny Lake, for the editing of this dissertation. My parents, Juan and Yolayda as well as sisters, Grettel and Julia for their continuous support and encouragement. Wiets Botes for igniting my interest in the music and culture of the Beatles. ii Declaration by Language Editor I hereby declare that I language edited a Master’s dissertation authored by Ms Dayana Osorio with the title: “John Lennon – A psychobiography”. Jennifer Lake Accredited Professional Text Editor, SATI (APEd) Membership no: 1002099 iii Student Declaration I declare that the dissertation hereby submitted by me for the degree Magister Artium in Psychology at the University of the Free State is my own independent work and has not been previously submitted by me at another university or faculty. I also concede copyright of the dissertation in favour of the University of the Free State. 03 March 2016 ________________________ ___________________ Signature of student Date (D. Osorio) This work has been evaluated for originality through the turnitin service (Submission ID: 638522961) iv Table of Contents Photograph of John Lennon ......................................................................................... i Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ii Declaration by Language Editor .................................................................................. iii Student Declaration ......................................................................................................iv Table of Contents .......................................................................................................... v List of Tables ................................................................................................................. x Abstract ..........................................................................................................................xi Chapter 1 ........................................................................................................................ 1 Introduction and Problem Statement .......................................................................... 1 1.1 Chapter Preview ................................................................................................. 1 1.2 General Orientation of the Study ........................................................................ 1 1.3 Problem Statement and Rationale ..................................................................... 2 1.4 Research Aim ..................................................................................................... 4 1.5 Theoretical Orientation ....................................................................................... 4 1.6 Overview of the Study ........................................................................................ 5 1.7 Chapter Summary .............................................................................................. 5 Chapter 2 ........................................................................................................................ 6 The Psychosocial Developmental Theory of Erikson ................................................ 6 2.1 Chapter Overview .................................................................................................. 6 2.2 Erik Erikson ............................................................................................................ 6 2.3 Erikson’s Psychoanalytic Beginnings ..................................................................... 7 2.4 Erikson and Personality Development ................................................................... 9 2.5 Psychosocial Theory ............................................................................................ 10 2.6 Eight stages of Psychosocial Development Theory ............................................. 10 2.6.1 Stage one: Basic trust versus mistrust (0–1 year) ......................................... 12 2.6.2 Stage two: Autonomy versus shame and doubt (1–3 years).......................... 14 2.6.3 Stage three: Initiative versus guilt (3–6 years) ............................................... 15 2.6.4 Stage four: Industry versus inferiority (6–12 years) ....................................... 17 v 2.6.5 Stage five: Identity versus role confusion (12–20 years) ............................... 18 2.6.6 Stage six: Intimacy versus isolation (20 - 30 years) ....................................... 20 2.6.7 Stage seven: Generativity versus stagnation (50 - 60 years)......................... 21 2.6.8 Stage eight: Integrity versus despair (65 years and onwards roughly) .......... 22 2.7 Erikson’s Ninth Stage ........................................................................................... 24 2.8 Unsuccessful resolution of Erikson’s stages ........................................................ 24 2.8.1 Basic mistrust ................................................................................................ 25 2.8.2 Shame and doubt .......................................................................................... 25 2.8.3 Guilt ............................................................................................................... 26 2.8.4 Inferiority ........................................................................................................ 26 2.8.5 Role confusion ............................................................................................... 26 2.8.6 Isolation ......................................................................................................... 27 2.8.7 Stagnation ...................................................................................................... 27 2.8.8 Despair .......................................................................................................... 27 2.9 Erikson and Psychobiography .............................................................................. 28 2.10 Critique of Erikson’s Theory ............................................................................... 28 2.11 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 29 Chapter 3 ...................................................................................................................... 30 Theoretical Overview of Psychobiographical Studies ............................................. 30 3.1 Chapter Overview ................................................................................................ 30 3.2 Psychology and Biography ................................................................................... 30 3.3 Psychobiographical Definitions and Descriptions ................................................. 32 3.4 Psychobiography and Related Concepts ............................................................. 34 3.4.1 Autobiography and biography ........................................................................ 34 3.4.2 Life histories and life stories ........................................................................... 34 3.4.3 Psychohistory, historical psychology and historiography ............................... 35 3.4.4 Personality assessment ................................................................................. 35 3.5 Psychobiography as Case Study Research ......................................................... 36 3.5.1 Case study epistemology ............................................................................... 36 3.5.2 Case research objective ................................................................................ 37 3.5.3 Case research design .................................................................................... 38 vi 3.5.4 Case research method .................................................................................. 39 3.6 History and Trends in Psychobiography .............................................................. 40 3.7 Value of Psychobiographical Research ............................................................... 43 3.7.1 Individual case within the whole ..................................................................... 43 3.7.2 Subjective reality ............................................................................................ 43 3.7.3 Socio-historical context .................................................................................. 43 3.7.4 Process and pattern over time ....................................................................... 44 3.7.5 Theory testing and development .................................................................... 44 3.8 Chapter Summary ...............................................................................................

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