Sigmund Freud: the
Basics
• Freud invented psychoanalysis.
– This involves talking to
patients to find out what
they’re thinking.
• Freud is considered to be the
father of modern psychology.
• Freud’s ideas were almost
universally accepted until the
1970s.
• Nowadays, most psychologists
have issues with Freud’s
theories.
• Freud, an Austrian, lived from
1856 to 1939. He died (probably
assisted suicide due to oral
cancer) in London.
• Many of Freud’s descendants are
prominent in British life and
culture.
Freudian Psychosocial
(Psychodynamic) Theory
• Freud developed this theory
between 1894 and 1920. What
else were people developing
around this time?
• Freud divided our conscious
and subconscious mind into
several parts, each of which
plays an important role in our
behavior.
• This theory has NO scientific
basis.
RED:
Stop now.
It’s unsafe
to go.
SUPEREGO
YELLOW:
Go, but be
careful
EGO
GREEN:
Don’t stop
until you hit
Vegas
ID
Freudian Personality Theory (1894-1920)
Freudian Personality Theory (1894-1920)
Ego: based on reality
Superego:
made up of
2 parts
Id: 2 sources of
energy
HEDONISM
Conscience
The
difference
between
right and
wrong.
Ego-Ideal
Your
“perfect”
future
self.
Eros
The urge
to have
sex.
Thanatos
(after
1918)
The urge
to destroy
yourself.
Freud Criticisms:
1. No experimentation; theories cannot be proven or
disproven
2. Cocaine addiction
3. No self-analysis (except Jung)
4. Multiple affairs, incl Minna Bernays (SIL)
5. Small number of case studies (ex. Little Hans)
6. Misogyny