Freud
Summary of Freud’s Psycho-analytic theory of human development
Probably the best way to summarise Sigmund Freud’s theory is the idea that all of our behaviour (from birth to adolescence), is ruled not only by conscious but also unconscious processes.
The most basic of these is an instinctual sexual drive he called the libido, present at birth and the driving force behind virtually everything we do – all of our behaviours.
Even more unconscious behaviour is evident over time by the development of our defense mechanisms. You know those automatic, normal and unconscious actions we take to avoid or reduce our anxiety levels on a daily basis. Things we can identify as repression or denial or projection. When we receive a letter that we think may have bad news so we don’t open the letter, maybe even throw it away. When we get into trouble as children, or do something dumb at work and know we will be in trouble. There are so many examples that we will discuss and brainstorm.
I suspect that many of you have heard of the term ‘Defense mechanism’. It is important that you understand that Freud thought of defense mechanisms not only as unconscious but also perfectly normal.
For example. Imagine you have applied for your dream job. You interview well in your opinion and you couldn’t see how they could turn you down. Then the letter arrives…… It is a rejection letter…you know the kind….in this stance you have been unsuccessful.
Of course you feel some degree of anxiety after this rejection and to deal with the rejection Freud says our natural defense mechanism kicks in unconsciously. We can’t help it. All of our defense mechanisms distort reality to some extent but they vary in the amount of distortion involved. At one extreme end is denial. I might deny that I ever applied for the job. I might even tell my friends; No, I couldn’t be bothered applying. Just a little on from denial is projection in which I push the blame onto someone else. ‘They,
Probably the best way to summarise Sigmund Freud’s theory is the idea that all of our behaviour (from birth to adolescence), is ruled not only by conscious but also unconscious processes.
The most basic of these is an instinctual sexual drive he called the libido, present at birth and the driving force behind virtually everything we do – all of our behaviours.
Even more unconscious behaviour is evident over time by the development of our defense mechanisms. You know those automatic, normal and unconscious actions we take to avoid or reduce our anxiety levels on a daily basis. Things we can identify as repression or denial or projection. When we receive a letter that we think may have bad news so we don’t open the letter, maybe even throw it away. When we get into trouble as children, or do something dumb at work and know we will be in trouble. There are so many examples that we will discuss and brainstorm.
I suspect that many of you have heard of the term ‘Defense mechanism’. It is important that you understand that Freud thought of defense mechanisms not only as unconscious but also perfectly normal.
For example. Imagine you have applied for your dream job. You interview well in your opinion and you couldn’t see how they could turn you down. Then the letter arrives…… It is a rejection letter…you know the kind….in this stance you have been unsuccessful.
Of course you feel some degree of anxiety after this rejection and to deal with the rejection Freud says our natural defense mechanism kicks in unconsciously. We can’t help it. All of our defense mechanisms distort reality to some extent but they vary in the amount of distortion involved. At one extreme end is denial. I might deny that I ever applied for the job. I might even tell my friends; No, I couldn’t be bothered applying. Just a little on from denial is projection in which I push the blame onto someone else. ‘They,