Biological Theory and Psychoanalytic Theory

There are many different theories that attempt to explain nature versus nurture, environmental influences and pathology. Many theories have shared approaches or ideas but two which differ significantly are psychoanalytic theory and the biological perspective. Psychoanalytic theory explores how unconscious desires, childhood experiences, and inner conflicts shape human behavior. Biological theory on the other hand, explains behavior and mental processes through biological factors, including genetics, brain structures, neurotransmitters, and the nervous system.  These are worth exploring as both have impacted various adjunct therapies such as nervous system regulation and their key tenants have found their way into popular science and deeply impacted how we see ourselves and our minds in the Western world.

Nature versus Nurture  

Nature versus nurture is an age-old debate in which health scientists of all disciplines still engage. It is also a debate in which one could argue that psychoanalytic proponents and biological psychology proponents exist on opposite sides of the spectrum. Psychoanalytic theory "emphasizes a dominant role of unconscious processes” (Shiraev, 2016, p. 106). This emphasis on unconscious processes means that psychoanalytic theorists fall into the “nurture” camp as they believe that the unconscious is something that develops over time as the result of internal relationships with various components of the ego. Psychoanalytic theorists believe that upbringing, parental relationships, and repressed memories influence personality development (Shiraev, 2016). Freud believed strongly that the unconscious mind was the progenitor of behavior and personality, although he did acknowledge the impact of the id which some could say functions much like “nature” (Freud, 1923). Proponents of biological psychology are solidly of the belief that nature has the largest impact on development (Pinel, 2017). Biological psychiatry suggests that biological factors, such as inherited traits and neurochemical imbalances, are primary determinants of behavior (Pinel, 2017). The emphasis on heritable traits and their influence on development lands them solidly in the nature camp. However, most biological psychologists will also acknowledge the impact of environmental factors (also known as nurture) on development (Powledge, 2011). This is being explored in the field of epigenetics (Powledge, 2011).  

Pathology   

Much like their different views of nature versus nurture, these two theories differ in their views of pathology. Psychoanalysts, including Freud himself, would point to unconscious conflicts and childhood trauma as key causes of pathology (Freud, 1923). Their focus would be on psychological and emotional experiences and therapy would often look like psychoanalysis or talk therapy (Shiraev, 2016). Biological psychologists however would argue that pathology arises from brain chemistry, genetics or neurological dysfunction (Pinel, 2017). Their approaches to treatment would reflect this commitment. They would likely utilize medication or brain-based interventions to treat abnormal behavior or maladaptive personalities (Hooley, 2019).   

Environmental influences   

Psychoanalysts and biological psychologists would also differ in their understanding of the environmental influences at play. As we reviewed above, each theory has its own understanding of environmental influences (also known as the “nurture” element). The primary focus of psychoanalytic theory is on social interactions and early life experiences (Shiraev, 2016). Biological psychologists, however, might disregard those factors and focus instead on brain changes and genetic responses to chemical influences within and without the body (Pinel, 2017). This manifests as a focus on unconscious conflict and defense mechanisms by psychoanalysts and neurotransmitters and epigenetics by biological psychologists. For example, when considering depression psychoanalysts would likely believe that the environmental factor at play was childhood trauma leading to repressed emotions. However, biological psychologists would likely feel the environmental factor was a trigger that altered brain chemistry and stress hormones.   

While these two theories differ on many of their ideas and views they do share some common ground. Both theories understand that ultimately a person’s mental health is not a manifestation of a moral failing but is largely impacted by factors beyond their control be it their genetics or the behavior of their caregivers in early life. They also both share an understanding that by taking an active role in one’s health be it through therapy or medical interventions, a person can take steps to more adaptive and healthy development and more resilient mental health.   

Relevance to Somatic Therapies

In somatic therapies like nervous system regulation and yoga therapy, skillful therapists often bring their own training and ideologies which may differ significantly from Western psychological theories. However, there is often a shared understanding in somatic therapies that both the emotional body and the physical body are significantly impactful on a person's health. A relevant framework in yoga is the consideration of koshas. Koshas are a tool yoga therapists can use to visualize and consider the various different levels of the self. The koshas consist of the physical body, the energy body, the mind-body, the wisdom body and the bliss body. As with the aforementioned Western frameworks of thought, therapists differ in their degree of utilization of the koshas, but the koshas inherently take into account elements of both biological theory and psychoanalytic theory.

Ultimately, many therapists across modalities agree that each person is a multifaceted being and generally, the best therapists are able to soften any dogmatic components of their chosen frameworks in order to cultivate a skillful and supportive relationship with their client.

References 

Shiraev, E. (2016) Personality Theories. 1st edn. SAGE Publications, Inc. Available at: https://www.perlego.com/book/2034417 (Accessed: 1 February 2025). 

Freud, S. (1923). The Ego and the Id. Vienna: Internationaler Psychoanalytischer Verlag. 

Pinel, J. P. J. (2017). Biopsychology (10th ed.). Pearson. 

Powledge, T. M. (2011). Behavioral epigenetics: How nurture shapes nature. BioScience, 61(8), 588–592. https://doi.org/10.1525/bio.2011.61.8.4  

Hooley, J. M., Nock, M. K., & Butcher, J. N. (2019). Abnormal Psychology (18th ed.). Pearson Education (US). https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9780135191033