Sigmund Freud

One major criticism of Freud's theories of personality is the lack of empirical evidence to support many of his concepts, such as the Oedipus complex and the unconscious mind. Critics argue that Freud's theories are based more on speculation and clinical observations rather than scientific research. Additionally, some critics have raised concerns about the patriarchal and sexist assumptions underlying Freud's ideas on human development.

Sigmund Freud was the founder of psychoanalysis and the psychodynamic approach to psychology. This school of thought emphasized the influence of the unconscious mind on behavior. Freud believed that the human mind was composed of three elements: the id, the ego, and the superego.

The Superego

The superego makes up a large part of our unconscious. It is the part of us that makes us conform to particular rules, that makes us "behave." It judges us, criticizes us, and makes us feel bad when we do something "wrong." It is what makes us feel guilty and ashamed. It is our "inner critic" or "inner judge."

It judges us for whether or not we conform to the rules. Next to making us feel guilty and ashamed, it makes us feel stupid, idiotic, foolish, thick, dense, and a loser. That is, if we do not suppress these painful feelings.

We usually hardly notice the superego controlling us. We just "know" we shouldn't do certain things, and we shy away from them, or we just know that we "must" do things. Most of it is, in fact, unconscious.

Formation of the superego

Most of the superego is formed during our upbringing. Our parents taught us what is right and wrong, what we should and shouldn't do, what is normal and what not. To get us to accept the rules, we were forced in various subtle and not so subtle ways, like by punishment, being shamed, or being degraded for doing something wrong. This is what's formed into the superego.

It's not only our parents, but, in fact, many other people too in our early environment that pressured us to abide by certain rules. Adults in positions of authority, as well as other children. And people still pressure us to when we are adults, when they act out their superegos on us, as we do on them.

The superego is kind of the sum of all people that have tried to make us behave according to certain rules in the past.

The need for the superego

Children aren't much capable of themselves to see the consequences of their actions. They need to be taught to abide by certain rules, or else they or others get hurt or worse, things get damaged, or things go wrong. They need to be taught to take responsibility.

Therefore, it is unavoidable and beneficial that children develop a superego. There is a need for it to be a guide through people's lives.

When the superego works against us

Sometimes we feel that we are guilty of something, when in truth there is nothing wrong with what we did. We may feel guilty for being lazy, when there really is no work to do. We can feel stupid for not knowing how to do something, when we never actually had an opportunity to learn it. Children are known to feel irrationally guilty for the death of relatives, or for parents divorcing.

The superego isn't particularly precise. It may tell us not to do certain things when there is objectively nothing wrong with doing them. Thus, it is an aspect of us that can limit us more than necessary.

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Adler rejected Freud's theory primarily because he disagreed with Freud's emphasis on sexual impulses as the driving force behind behavior. Instead, Adler proposed that feelings of inferiority and the desire for power and recognition were the primary motivators of human behavior. Adler also believed in the importance of social factors and the individual's ability to shape their own future, while Freud focused more on unconscious processes.

Freud believed that the taboo originated from the Oedipus complex, where a child develops unconscious desires for the parent of the opposite sex and feelings of rivalry and jealousy toward the same-sex parent. The taboo represents the prohibition of acting on these forbidden desires, leading to guilt and internal conflict within the individual. Freud argued that the taboo is crucial for maintaining social order and regulating relationships within a society.

Freud believed that the phallic stage (ages 3-6) was the most important in his psychosexual development theory. This stage is when children experience the Oedipus or Electra complex, which involves their attraction to the opposite-sex parent and rivalry with the same-sex parent. Resolving conflicts at this stage is crucial for healthy development.

Each of these men approached psychology very differently. Ivan Pavlov, who was Russian, first studied physiology and veterinary medicine. Jean Piaget, who was Swiss, studied philosophy, sociology, and developmental psychology. Wilhelm Wundt, who was German, is regarded as one of the founders of modern psychology: he too first studied physiology as well as anatomy and medicine. And Sigmund Freud, who was Austrian, first studied philosophy, physiology, zoology, and neurology.

In Freudian theory, Eros represents the life instinct or the drive for love, creativity, and self-preservation. It is associated with positive energy and the urge for connection with others. Thanatos, on the other hand, symbolizes the death instinct or the drive towards aggression, destruction, and self-destructive behaviors. It is linked to negative impulses that can manifest as violence or self-harm. Freud believed that these two forces are in constant conflict within individuals, shaping their behavior and personality.

Mechanistic determinism, as proposed by Freud, suggests that human behavior is determined by internal psychological forces and drives, particularly the unconscious mind. Freud argued that these unconscious drives, such as the id, ego, and superego, influence our thoughts, emotions, and actions. Essentially, mechanistic determinism posits that our behavior is not entirely within our conscious control but is rather shaped by these unconscious forces.

Yes, Erik Erikson did work with Sigmund Freud. He was initially associated with Freud's psychoanalytic circle in Vienna before branching off and developing his own psychosocial theory of development.

Freud's theory has influenced modern psychology by introducing concepts such as the unconscious mind, defense mechanisms, and the role of childhood experiences in shaping personality. Although some of his ideas have been revised or replaced by more contemporary theories, Freud's work continues to serve as a foundation for understanding human behavior and informing therapeutic approaches like psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy.

Freud's theory can be applied in understanding employee behavior through concepts like the id (basic desires driving behavior), ego (decision-making based on reality), and superego (internalized rules and norms). For example, an employee may showcase aggressive behavior (id) due to unresolved conflicts, while the ego helps in managing this behavior within workplace norms. Understanding these dynamics can help in addressing underlying issues affecting employee conduct.

Sigmund Freud's theory of psychoanalysis can help me better understand my unconscious thoughts, desires, and behaviors. By examining my dreams, memories, and slips of the tongue, I can gain insight into my motivations and emotions. Overall, applying Freud's theory can aid in self-reflection and personal growth.

Freud's organismic account refers to his view that psychological processes are influenced by both conscious and unconscious factors, as well as biological drives and instincts. He believed that the mind operates like an organized system, with different parts interacting to regulate behavior and thoughts. Freud's emphasis on the importance of unconscious drives and conflicts in shaping behavior distinguishes his organismic account from more deterministic theories of human behavior.

Little Hans was a young boy Freud studied while developing his theory of the Oedipus complex. Hans had a phobia of horses, and Freud concluded that this was actually a sign of Hans going through the Oedipus complex. He was actually afraid of his father castrating him, which he displaced onto a fear of horses.

Watson disagreed with Freud's emphasis on unconscious processes and the importance of early childhood experiences in shaping personality. Watson believed that behaviorism should focus on observable behaviors that could be scientifically studied and manipulated, rather than on subjective experiences like those proposed by Freud. Watson's approach was more focused on environmental factors influencing behavior, while Freud's psychoanalytic theory emphasized inner conflicts and unconscious desires.

Surrealism was the Early Modern artistic trend influenced by Sigmund Freud to explore the subconscious mind and inner emotions. Artists like Salvador Dali and Rene Magritte used dream-like imagery and symbolism to depict the complexities of the human psyche.

One common objection to Freud's hypothesis on dreaming is that he saw all dreams through the single filter of sexual urges. Later psychologists (particularly Carl Jung) took into consideration more aspects of the human experience.

Freud believed that dreams were a way for the subconscious mind to express desires and fears that were repressed in waking life. He argued that dreams contained hidden meanings and symbols that could reveal insights into a person's inner conflicts and motivations, shedding light on their real-life experiences and emotions. Freud saw dreams as a bridge between the conscious and unconscious mind, offering a window into the deeper layers of a person's psyche.

Freud's theory on behavior is centered around the idea that unconscious drives and desires influence human behavior. He believed that behavior is shaped by the interplay of three components of the mind: the id, ego, and superego. Freud also emphasized the role of early childhood experiences in shaping an individual's personality and behavior.

Freud has been criticized for his theories being too focused on sexual and aggressive instincts, lacking empirical evidence, being overly focused on the unconscious mind to the exclusion of other factors, and being based on subjective interpretations of patients' experiences. Additionally, his theories have been criticized for being culturally biased and not applicable to all individuals.

Experiences during childhood, such as exposure to trauma or positive reinforcement, can shape personality according to Freud's stages. Social interactions and relationships with caregivers during the early stages of development can impact one's ability to form trust and develop a sense of self according to Erikson's theory.

Sigmund Freud, an Austrian psychologist, focused on unconscious factors and developed psychoanalysis, which relies on the case study method to explore an individual's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Freud believed that unconscious conflicts and desires greatly influence a person's behavior and mental health.

Sigmund Freud called Vienna, Austria his home for most of his life. He worked and lived in Vienna, establishing his practice and making significant contributions to the field of psychology.

Sigmund Freud wrote several influential books, but one of his most famous works is "The Interpretation of Dreams," where he introduces his theory of unconscious desires and the role of dreams in revealing these desires.