Describe and Evaluate the Theories of Sigmund Freud
Describe and evaluate the theories of Sigmund Freud’s psychodynamic approach as an explanation of human behaviour. In the evaluation summarise and evaluate one other approach as an alternative explanation of human behaviour.
This essay aims to describe in detail the theories of Sigmund Freud’s psychodynamic approach to the explanation of human behaviour. The writer will evaluate these theories and present them in terms of their strengths and weaknesses. The essay will also include a brief description and evaluation of the behaviourist approach as an alternative explanation of human behaviour.
Sigmund Freud was born Sigismund Freud in Freiberg, Moravia, now Pribor, Czech Republic, on 6th May 1856. He was born into a Jewish family although Freud himself was non-practicing. They moved to Vienna, Austria in 1860 where he began his education. (www.freudfile.org) When leaving school Freud studied medicine at Vienna University, he graduated in 1881 and in the following year began his medical career in the psychiatric clinic at Vienna General Hospital. Freud entered private practice in 1886 and specialised in treatment of nervous disorders. He was diagnosed with cancer of the jaw in 1923 after being a prolific smoker and underwent more than 30 operations to try and rid him of it. In 1938 Freud, his wife Martha and daughter Anna moved to London, shortly after the Nazis annexed Austria. The following year Freud died after a long battle with cancer. (www.bbc.co.uk/history)
The writer will now describe Sigmund Freud’s theories in detail beginning with his belief that all humans have two basic instincts. He theorised that all humans are born with the basic instincts Eros, sexual drive or creative life force and Thanatos, the death force or destructiveness. These are based on mythical characters and are representations of the two primary outlets of biological energy. Freud proposed that the two forces were in a constant battle throughout the life span of the person.
This essay aims to describe in detail the theories of Sigmund Freud’s psychodynamic approach to the explanation of human behaviour. The writer will evaluate these theories and present them in terms of their strengths and weaknesses. The essay will also include a brief description and evaluation of the behaviourist approach as an alternative explanation of human behaviour.
Sigmund Freud was born Sigismund Freud in Freiberg, Moravia, now Pribor, Czech Republic, on 6th May 1856. He was born into a Jewish family although Freud himself was non-practicing. They moved to Vienna, Austria in 1860 where he began his education. (www.freudfile.org) When leaving school Freud studied medicine at Vienna University, he graduated in 1881 and in the following year began his medical career in the psychiatric clinic at Vienna General Hospital. Freud entered private practice in 1886 and specialised in treatment of nervous disorders. He was diagnosed with cancer of the jaw in 1923 after being a prolific smoker and underwent more than 30 operations to try and rid him of it. In 1938 Freud, his wife Martha and daughter Anna moved to London, shortly after the Nazis annexed Austria. The following year Freud died after a long battle with cancer. (www.bbc.co.uk/history)
The writer will now describe Sigmund Freud’s theories in detail beginning with his belief that all humans have two basic instincts. He theorised that all humans are born with the basic instincts Eros, sexual drive or creative life force and Thanatos, the death force or destructiveness. These are based on mythical characters and are representations of the two primary outlets of biological energy. Freud proposed that the two forces were in a constant battle throughout the life span of the person.