Sigmund Freud's Psychodynamic Theory

Psychodynamic Theorist Paper
Angie Widman-Anderson
PSYCH 645
January 19, 2014
Denise Wiseman

Psychodynamic Theorist Paper
Sigmund Freud was a critical influence on the psychodynamic theory. This article will explain why Freud’s work is so influential. This article will also discuss two analysts that dissent from Freud’s viewpoint and why. And lastly this paper will discuss a few psychoanalytic concepts that are relevant to today’s culture.
Freud Background
Freud had training in medical sciences (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). He wanted to create a theory of persons (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). However, his approach to data was much different than other scientists (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). He never ran tests in a laboratory nor used psychological tests (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). He based his theories on clinical case studies (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). Freud believed that the mind is part of the body (Cervone & Pervin, 2010).
People know Freud as the father of psychology (Psychology Media Suite, 2015).
He researched into the human unconscious which was new territory and an area that people had not tried to discover (Psychology Media Suite, 2015). However, he has received mixed reviews many saw him as a genius, while other view him as arrogant and rigid (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). Even Freud himself knew that there were people who had doubts about his research (Psychology Media Suite, 2015). This debate still continues today and even fueled an exhibit at Washington 's Library of Congress (Psychology Media Suite, 2015). Freud has had a profound impact on the world (Psychology Media Suite, 2015). However, much of his work is unsupported (Psychology Media Suite,
2015).
Id, ego, and superego.
The heart of Freud’s theory is the id, ego, and superego (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). This concept was his revised model (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). The id, ego, and superego are each a unique mental system, with their separate functions (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). The id is considered the pleasure principle and provides the energy (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). The superego is the opposite of the id (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). The superego is our voice of reason (Cervone & Pervin, 2010).The superego handles our ethical standards (Cervone & Pervin, 2010).
The ego takes its assignments from the reality principle (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). The function of the ego is to allow pleasure with little consequences (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). The ego is weaker than its counterparts (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). It can also understand the difference between fantasy and truth (Cervone & Pervin, 2010).
Freud Challengers
As Freud became well known he attracted more followers (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). However, many of these followers began to reject his theories (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). Alfred Adler and Carl G. Jung were among the many analysts to break from Freud. Both Adler and Jung went on to create their theories (Cervone & Pervin, 2010).
Alfred Adler
“Perhaps most significant in Adler’s split from Freud was his greater emphasis on social urges and conscious thoughts than on instinctual sexual urges and unconscious processes” (Cervone & Pervin, 2010, p. 134). Adler became interested in how people compensate for body weakness (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). Adler believed that people may feel inferior and will make attempts to compensate for their inferiority (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). For example, a person, who stutters as a child, may aspire to become a public speaker as an adult (Cervone & Pervin, 2010).
This theory of thinking is not limited to those with disabilities (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). This theory applies to all people because all individuals struggle with inferiority at some point (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). All children struggle with inferiority (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). As children, we watch adults or older children who can do things we are not yet capable of (Cervone & Pervin, 2010).
Carl G. Jung Jung first became impressed with Freud early in his career as a physician (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). After reading Freud’s work, they met (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). Jung and Freud developed a personal relationship (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). “Freud came to view Jung as his ‘crown prince’—the person who would carry on Freud’s psychoanalytic tradition after Freud’s death” (Cervone & Pervin, 2010, p. 136).
However, the relationship began to decline (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). Jung felt that Freud exaggerated sexuality (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). Jung viewed the libido not in a sexual nature but as life energy (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). “Although sexuality is a part of this basic energy, the libido also includes strivings for pleasure and creativity. To Jung, this reinterpretation of the libido was the primary reason for his break with Freud” (Cervone & Pervin, 2010, p. 137). Jung held the position of president of the International Psychoanalytic Association until he resigned in 1914 (Cervone & Pervin, 2010).
Current psychoanalytic concepts
One psychoanalytic concept in studied today is motivated unconscious processes (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). Drew Westen and Joel Weinberger conducted a study to see if people would defend their political views (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). “In sum, the two experiments together supported the psychoanalytic view of motivated unconscious processing of information” (Cervone & Pervin, 2010, p. 82).
Another psychoanalytic concept in use today is the impact of a neurobiological study on psychoanalytical treatment. Most psychoanalysis theorists believe that research has an adverse effect on treatment (Taubner, Buchheim, Rudyk, Kächele, & Bruns, 2012). During the study, patients reported that the study impacted their treatment in a positive manner (Taubner, et al., 2012). “However, study participation was conflictual for the psychoanalysts and forced them to carefully reflect on their unconscious and conscious involvement to establish a psychoanalytic stance independent from empirical research” (Taubner, et al., 2012, para. 1).
A cast current psychoanalytic concept in use today involves the study of violence. Psychoanalytic theory contributes violence to loss and trauma (Yakeley & Meloy, 2012). “Although intensive psychoanalytic treatment is usually not appropriate for violent individuals, the authors assert that a comprehensive understanding of violent behavior from a psychoanalytic perspective is of relevance for all mental health practitioners interested in the nature of human aggression” (Yakeley & Meloy, 2012, para. 1).
Conclusion
Whether people feel Freud is a genius or a fraud he was still a significant contributor to the field of psychology (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). Almost every psychology student will have read about Freud. Many of the studies and research, we do today, are a reflection of his work.

References:
Cervone, D., & Pervin, L. A. (2010). Personality: Theory and research (11th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Psychology Media Suite. Films On Demand. Films Media Group, 2008. Web. 18 Jan. 2015. <http://digital.films.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=7967&xtid=35671>.
Taubner, S., Buchheim, A., Rudyk, R., Kächele, H., & Bruns, G. (2012). How does neurobiological research influence psychoanalytic treatments?--clinical observations and reflections from a study on the interface of clinical psychoanalysis and neuroscience. American Journal of Psychoanalysis, 72(3), 269-86. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/ajp.2012.17
Yakeley, J., & Meloy, J., Understanding violence: Does psychoanalytic thinking matter?, Aggression and Violent Behavior, Volume 17, Issue 3, May–June 2012, Pages 229-239, ISSN 1359-1789, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2012.02.006.