Sigmund Freud and Psychoanalysis

Introduction

• Sigmund Freud: Austrian neurologist; pioneer of psychoanalysis.
• Believed behavior driven by unconscious desires and early experiences.

Freud's Theories

Iceberg Theory (Topographical Model of the Mind)

• Conscious: What we are aware of.
• Preconscious: Can become conscious.
• Unconscious: Primary source of human behavior.
  • Most important part of the mind, like an iceberg.
  • Influences feelings, motives, decisions.
  • Past experiences stored here.

Unresolved Conflicts and Psychoanalysis

• Psychological issues originate from unconscious conflicts.
• Psychoanalysis: Aims to resolve conflicts by bringing them to conscious awareness.
  • Form of talk therapy for mental disorders.
  • Involves dialogue between patient and psychoanalyst.
  • Focus on uncovering unconscious thoughts and feelings.

Method of Psychoanalytic Therapy

• Patient relaxes on a couch; analyst takes notes.
• Emphasis on dreams and childhood memories.

Emphasis on Childhood Experiences

• Early experiences and relationships shape unconscious mind and adult personality.
• Early trauma/unresolved issues: Lead to neuroses or dysfunctional adult behavior.

Freud's Psychosexual Stages

• Personality develops through childhood stages:
  1. Oral Stage: Pleasure from the mouth; fixation can lead to oral-oriented behaviors (e.g., smoking, nail-biting).
  2. Anal Stage: Focus on bowel control; may lead to anal-retentive traits (e.g., tidiness, punctuality).
  3. Phallic Stage
  4. Latency Stage
  5. Genital Stage
• Unresolved conflicts at any stage affect adult personality traits and behaviors.

Examples

• Oral Stage Fixation: Leads to behaviors like smoking, overeating.
• Anal Stage Fixation: Result of early praise for bowel control, leading to traits like tidiness.

Conclusion

• Freud's theories emphasize the significant impact of unconscious processes and early childhood experiences on adult behavior and personality.