Sigmund Freud explored the human mind more thoroughly than any other who became before him. His contributions to psychology are vast. Freud was one of the most influential people of the twentieth century and his enduring legacy has influenced not only psychology, but art, literature and even the way people bring up their children. Freud later developed a more structured model of the mind containing the id, ego and superego (what Freud called “the psychic apparatus”). These are not physical areas within the brain, but rather hypothetical areas of important mental functions. Freud assumed the id operated at an unconscious level according to the pleasure principle.
The id comprises two kinds of biological instincts (or drives) which Freud called Eros and Thanatos.
Eros, or life instinct, helps the individual to survive; it directs life-sustaining activities such as respiration, eating and sex. The energy created by the life instincts is known as libido.
In contrast, Thanatos or death instinct, is viewed as a set of destructive forces present in all human beings. When this energy is directed outward onto others, it is expressed as aggression and violence. Freud believed that Eros is stronger than Thanatos, thus helping people to survive rather than self-destruct.
The ego develops from the id during infancy. The egos goal is to satisfy the demands of the id in a safe a socially acceptable way. In contrast to the id the ego follows the reality principle as it operates in both the conscious and unconscious mind.
The superego develops during early childhood (when the child identifies with the same sex parent) and is responsible for ensuring moral standards are followed. The superego operates on the morality principle and motivates us to behave in a socially responsible and acceptable manner.
The superego can make a person feel guilty if rules are not followed. When there is conflict between the goals of the id and superego the ego must act as a referee and mediate this conflict. The ego can deploy various defense mechanisms to prevent it from becoming overwhelmed by anxiety.
Psycho-Sexual Theory
In the highly repressive “Victorian” society in which Freud lived and worked women, in particular, were forced to repress their sexual needs. In many cases the result was some form of neurotic illness.
Freud sought to understand the nature and variety of these illnesses by retracing the sexual history of his patients. This was not primarily an investigation of sexual experiences. Far more important were the patient’s wishes and desires, their experience of love, hate, shame, guilt and fear – and how they handled these powerful emotions.It was this that led to the most controversial part of Freud’s work – his theory of psycho-sexual development and of the Oedipus comple
Freud believed that children are born with a libido – a sexual (pleasure) urge. There are a number of stages of childhood, during which the child seeks pleasure from a different ‘object’.
To be psychologically healthy, we must successfully complete each stage. Mental abnormality can occur if a stage is not completed successfully – the person becomes ‘fixated’ in a particular stage. This particular theory shows how adult personality is determined by their childhood experiences.
It is a little difficult trying to relate to the psycho-sexual theory because I have not ever experienced that before. I can however relate psychic apparatus. I have all three parts,id,ego,superego, I know that my "ego" is involved when I am trying to get something I want.I deal with my superego a lot because I get really nervous if I feel I might be doing something wrong. My superego makes me feel guilty a lot.
When I become a teacher I will have the knowledge of these theories which will help me in my career. Knowing what makes people do what they do will help me to understand how to help the situation. It is important for teachers to understand different development stages and theories, so they can understand their students.
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