Sigmund Freud’s Psychodynamic Approach as an Explanation of Human Behaviour
The purpose of this essay is to describe and evaluate the theories of Sigmund Freud’s psychodynamic approach as an explanation of human behaviour, comprising of the id, superego and the ego, giving examples of the ego defence mechanisms. It will cover the origins of Freud and will discover the theory of personality. The psychosexual stages of development will also be explored and strengths and weaknesses will be evaluated throughout. This essay will explain Freud’s case study methods and will look at the treatments he suggested. Finally, this essay will look at an alternative explanation of human behaviour from the behaviourist perspective. (Inkson, 2012)
Sigmund Freud was born in Freiberg, Moravia in 1856. At the age of four he moved to Austria’s capital, Vienna, where he spent the majority of his life. He attended medical school at the age of seventeen; upon receiving his medical degree in 1881 he decided to go into private practice in neurology, becoming the most influential and controversial thinkers of the 20th century. (Allpsych, 2011)
Freud became the founder of psychoanalysis; its purpose is to treat mental disorders through therapy, identifying the cause of the problem which is then discussed and resolved. Freud had a bias sample of patients, as he mainly treated middle aged, Viennese women who were suffering from hysteria. Freud became very interested in the condition, convinced that unconscious mental causes were responsible. (Inkson, 2012)
This is when Freud devised the iceberg analogy. The tip of the iceberg consists of the conscious - our current awareness, perceptions and sensations. The preconscious is located on the waterline, storing information and knowledge not currently on our mind. The greater mass below the waterline represents the unconscious which stores impulses and shameful experiences that affect our behaviour and thoughts. (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2009)
The structure and development of personality is Freud’s major contribution to
Sigmund Freud was born in Freiberg, Moravia in 1856. At the age of four he moved to Austria’s capital, Vienna, where he spent the majority of his life. He attended medical school at the age of seventeen; upon receiving his medical degree in 1881 he decided to go into private practice in neurology, becoming the most influential and controversial thinkers of the 20th century. (Allpsych, 2011)
Freud became the founder of psychoanalysis; its purpose is to treat mental disorders through therapy, identifying the cause of the problem which is then discussed and resolved. Freud had a bias sample of patients, as he mainly treated middle aged, Viennese women who were suffering from hysteria. Freud became very interested in the condition, convinced that unconscious mental causes were responsible. (Inkson, 2012)
This is when Freud devised the iceberg analogy. The tip of the iceberg consists of the conscious - our current awareness, perceptions and sensations. The preconscious is located on the waterline, storing information and knowledge not currently on our mind. The greater mass below the waterline represents the unconscious which stores impulses and shameful experiences that affect our behaviour and thoughts. (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2009)
The structure and development of personality is Freud’s major contribution to