Interpersonal theory or sullivan theory

It is the personality development theory and behavior disorders related to relationship between persons. It includes concept, stages, etc.

1. INTERPERSONAL THEORY (SULLIVAN’S) BY- PREETI SHARMA MSC. NSG. 1 ST YR.

2. INTRODUCTION

3. DEFINITION The theory that personality development and behavior disorders are related to and determined by relationships between persons. Interper’sonal the"ory . Psychol. the theory that personality development and behavior disorders are related to and determined by relationships between persons. Interpersonal therapy.

4. MEANING The core of Sullivan's theory is based on communication as the operational element of psychiatry. It rests on the propositions that: A large part of mental disorder results from and is perpetuated by inadequate communication, the communicative processes being interfered with by anxiety

5. CONT… Each person in any two-person relation- ship is involved as a portion of an interpersonal field, rather than as a separate entity, in processes which affect and are affected by the field.

6. MAJOR CONCEPTS Anxiety: Sullivan believed that anxiety is the “chief disruptive force in interpersonal relations and the main factor in the development of serious difficulties in living”.

7. Satisfaction of needs: - Sullivan identified examples of these requirements as oxygen, food, water, warmth, rest, activity, sexual expression- virtually anything that, when absent, produce discomfort in the individual . Interpersonal security: - When all needs have been met, one experiences a sense of total well being, which Sullivan termed interpersonal security.

8. Self system: - Sullivan identified three components of the self system, which are based upon interpersonal experiences early in life:

9. THE ‘GOOD ME’ P art of the personality that develops in response to positive feedback from the primary caregiver . Feelings of pleasure, contentment and gratification are experienced.

10. THE ‘BAD ME’ -The part of the personality that develops in response to negative feedback from the primary caregiver. -The child learns to avoid these negative feelings by altering certain behaviors.

11. THE ‘NOT ME’ -Part of the personality that develops in response to situations that produce intense anxiety in the child. -These feelings having then been denied become ‘not me’, but someone else.

12. ASSUMPTIONS Human beings are essentially social beings . Human personality is determined in the context of social interactions with other human beings . Early life experiences with parents, especially the mother, influence an individual’s development throughout life.

13. STAGES Infancy : birth to 18 months Childhood : 18 months to 6 years Juvenile : 6 to 9 years Preadolescence : 9 to 12 years Early adolescence : 12 to 14 years Late adolescence : 14 to 21 years

14. INFANCY : BIRTH TO 18 MONTHS During this beginning stage, the major developmental task for the child is the gratification of needs. This is accomplished around activity associated with the mouth such as crying and thumb sucking.  

15. CHILDHOOD : 18 MONTHS TO 6 YEARS -The child learns that interference with fulfillment of personal wishes and desires may result in delayed gratification . -Tools of this stage include the mouth, language, the anus, experimentation, manipulation and identification .  

16. JUVENILE : 6 TO 9 YEARS The major task of this stage is formation of satisfactory relationship within the peer group. This is accomplished through the use of competition, co- operation and compromise.

17. PREADOLESCENCE : 9 TO 12 YEARS The tasks at this level focus on developing relationships with persons of the same sex. One’s ability to collaborate with and show love and affection for another person begins at this stage.

18. EARLY ADOLESCENCE : 12 TO 14 YEARS The major task is formation of satisfactory relationship with members of the opposite sex. emergence of lust in response to biological changes as a major force occurring during this period.

19. LATE ADOLESCENCE : 14 TO 21 YEARS The late adolescent period is characterized by tasks associated with the endeavor to achieve interdependence within the society and the formation of lasting, intimate relationship with a selected member of the opposite sex.  

20. APPLICATION TO NURSING Nurse patient one- to- one interaction or interpersonal process is based on Sullivan’s interpersonal theory. The use of interpersonal process recordings in the clinical aspect of psychiatric mental health nursing courses is also derived from Sullivan’s interpersonal theory

21. CONCLUSION Harry Stack Sullivan was the first American theorist to construct a comprehensive personality theory in which he believed that development of the personality occurred within the context of the social group. He explained the role of interpersonal relationships and social experiences in shaping personality.