Sigmund Freud
PSYCHOANALYST
Who was Sigmund Freud?
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) was an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis. His theories revolutionised our understanding of human consciousness, behavior, and mental health treatment. Born to Jewish parents in Freiberg, Moravia (now Czech Republic), Freud was the eldest of eight children. His father, Jakob, was a wool merchant, and his mother, Amalia, was Jakob's third wife and 20 years younger than her husband. The family moved to Vienna when Freud was four years old, where he would spend most of his life.
As a child, Freud was intellectually precocious and deeply attached to his mother, who called him her "golden Sigi." He excelled in his studies, graduating from the Leopoldstädter Kommunal-Realgymnasium with honors in 1873. Despite facing anti-Semitism and financial difficulties, he entered the University of Vienna at age 17, studying medicine.
During his university years, Freud conducted research in physiology under Ernst Brücke, who became an influential mentor. He graduated from medical school in 1881 and began working at the Vienna General Hospital. In 1886, he married Martha Bernays, with whom he would have six children.
“The only person with whom you have to compare yourself is you in the past.”
"The voice of the intellect is a soft one, but it does not rest until it has gained a hearing"
Professional Development
Freud's early career focused on neurology and the use of cocaine as an analgesic, though he later abandoned this controversial research. An important turning point came when he studied under Jean-Martin Charcot in Paris, where he became interested in hysteria and hypnosis. This experience led him to collaborate with Josef Breuer, developing the "talking cure" that would evolve into psychoanalysis.
Psychoanalysis = psychological theory that focuses on the unconscious mind, exploring how hidden desires, past experiences, and unresolved conflicts influence thoughts, emotions, and behavior.
Later Life Challenges
In 1923, Freud was diagnosed with oral cancer, likely due to his heavy cigar smoking. He underwent 33 operations over 16 years, wearing a prosthetic palate that made speaking and eating difficult. Despite his illness, he continued to write and see patients.
The rise of Nazism forced Freud and his family to flee Vienna in 1938. With the help of influential friends, including Princess Marie Bonaparte, they escaped to London. His four elderly sisters, who remained behind, perished in concentration camps.
In London, despite deteriorating health, Freud continued his work until his death. When his cancer became unbearable, he asked his doctor, Max Schur, to assist his death through morphine doses. He died on September 23, 1939, and his ashes are housed in a Greek urn at Golders Green Crematorium.
Major Theoretical Contributions:
Freud developed several fundamental theories about the human psyche:
The Structural Model of the Psyche
1. Id (”Unconscious")
Present at birth, instinctual, animalistic. Does not distinguish fantasy from reality. It operates according to the Pleasure Principle.
2. Ego (”Conscious”)
Developed out of the Id in infancy. It understands reality and logic. It is a mediator between id and superego. It is your conscious self.
3. Superego ("Intelectual")
Internalisation of society’s moral standards, responsible for guilt. It is the moral component developed through socialization.
Defense Mechanisms
They defend the ego from the terrible stuff that’s coming out from the Id.
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Displacement
Redirect energy and focus to more appropriate targets.
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Sublimation
You take desires that are unacceptable and you displace them to more valuable activities
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Projection
Reducing anxiety by taking these impulses you have that you're ashamed of and attributing them to somebody else (to think that other people might feel the same).
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Rationalization
You have certain anxiety-producing thoughts and you reason them away into more acceptable ways.
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Regression
Retreating to a mode of behavior characteristic of an earlier stage of development.
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Reaction Formation
Replacing threatening wishes and fantasies with their opposites.
Freud's Psychosexual Theory
THE 5 STAGES OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Sigmund Freud's psychosexual theory is one of the most well-known and controversial theories in psychology. Developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Freud believed that human development occurs in a series of stages, each focused on different erogenous zones (also known as libido). According to him, how we navigate these stages plays a very important role in shaping our personality and behaviors later in life.
1. Oral Stage (0-1 year): This stage is all about the mouth. Infants derive pleasure from sucking, biting, and chewing—activities that fulfill both their nutritional and emotional needs. Freud believed that if a child becomes fixated at this stage (due to too much or too little gratification), they might develop habits like nail-biting, smoking, or excessive dependency in adulthood.
2. Anal Stage (1-3 years): This stage focuses on the anus, with toilet training being the central conflict. Freud argued that how parents handle toilet training influences personality traits. A strict or overly lenient approach could lead to traits like excessive tidiness (anal retentiveness) or, on the other hand, messiness and disorganization (anal expulsiveness).
3. Phallic Stage (3-6 years): Here, children become more aware of their bodies and differences between genders. Freud introduced controversial ideas like the Oedipus complex, where boys supposedly develop unconscious desires for their mothers and feelings of rivalry with their fathers. For girls, he proposed a similar concept called the Electra complex. Successful resolution of these feelings helps children identify with their same-sex parent and form a healthy gender identity.
4. Latent Stage (6-12 years): Unlike the previous stages, Freud believed that sexual impulses are repressed during this time, allowing children to focus on developing friendships, social skills, and intellectual pursuits. This period is often seen as a time of emotional calm before adolescence.
5. Genital Stage (12+ years): As individuals enter puberty, their focus shifts toward mature sexual relationships. Freud argued that successful development at this stage depends on how well the earlier conflicts were resolved. A well-adjusted adult, according to Freud, is one who can form healthy romantic relationships and contribute to society.
Clinical Practice and Methods
Freud developed several revolutionary therapeutic techniques:
- Free Association: Patients speak freely about whatever comes to mind.
- Dream Analysis: Interpretation of dreams as expressions of unconscious desires.
- Transference: Understanding how patients project feelings onto their therapist.
Legacy and Influence
While some of Freud's theories have been challenged by modern research, his impact on psychology and psychiatry remains profound. He influenced:
- Development of psychotherapy and talk therapy
- Understanding of unconscious mental processes
- Recognition of childhood experiences in adult behavior
- Cultural analysis and criticism
His legacy lives on through the numerous psychoanalytic societies worldwide, and his theories continue to influence modern psychological thought and practice. The Freud Museum in London, his last home, preserves his study and famous couch, attracting visitors from around the world who wish to learn about the father of psychoanalysis.