What were freuds assumptions towards the nature vs. nurture theory?
Actually, he took both routes. The thing about both is that they are outside influences on the individual and on personality. It was the general assumption in his day (1890s – 1910s) that personality was caused by such outside forces. So it came as a surprise and delight when, in 1910, he told all his followers that they MUST agree with him, that sex (an internal force) is the only determinant of both normal and neurotic personality. A dozen or so did not agree, led by Freud’s co-worker and equal (NEVER his student, follower, or disciple!) Dr. Alfred Adler. In February of 1911 Adler debated Freud on the influences on personality disorders and development. Among other things, he spoke of the “masculine protest” that women, and some men, had to make against their definition as females/males by the dominant male social structure. Also, Adler confronted the thinking that insisted on outside forces as determining personality and psychological character. He said that while nature, nurture, e
