Erich Fromm viewed human beings as basically social beings who strive for freedom, justice, and truth. According to Fromm, character traits develop from :

Experiences with other individuals

In contrast to Freud's emphasis on biology, Fromm formulated his theory from a social perspective. He perceived human beings as fundamentally social beings, whose understanding could be derived from their relationships with others. Fromm asserted that psychological qualities, such as personal growth and the fulfillment of one's potential, stemmed from a longing for freedom, as well as the pursuit of justice and truth. Fromm posited that our character traits and personality develop through our interactions and experiences with other individuals.