Sigmund Freud

Structural Theory Of Mind

Freud arrived at knowledge of physical apparatus by studying individual development of human being. Physical provinces are given names of "Id" that is present at the time of birth. Id performs the task of gaining control of the demand of the instincts by deciding whether they are to be allowed, satisfaction or by suppressing their excitation totally.From what was originally cortical layer supported with the organs for receiving stimuli, and with arrangements for acting as a defensive shield against stimuli, a special organization has arisen that acts as an intermediatory between the Id and the external work. This region of our mind is known as Ego. The ego has voluntary movements at its command between the sense, perception and the muscular action. Ego strives after pleasure and seeks to avoid displeasure.The long period of childhood, when the growing human being lives on dependence on his parents leaves behind it a precipitated formation in his ego of a special agency in which the parental influence is prolonged. This is known as superego. It transpires that Id and Superego have one thing in common. Both of them represent the influences of the past - Id is the influence of hereditary, Superego is influence of really what is taken over from other people, whereas the Ego is stressed by individual's experience i.e. by eventual and contemporary events.

Theory Of Sexuality

In 1905, he wrote Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality. He stated that between the ages of 3 and 5, the children reach a turning point where they felt that strong attraction towards the parent of opposite sex. This was known as Oedipal and Electra-complexes.Generally at the end of 5th year, early period of child sexual comes about to end. This period is succeeded by latency. During latency period an ethical restrains are developed so that it can work as valid defense against the desire of Oedipus complex. Oedipus Complex is animated in unconsciousness that embarks variations when puberty takes place. On attaining puberty period that sexual instincts develop to full intensity or gravity. This is biological peculiarity. That is a determining factor of origin of neurosis. Freud's another "Bold Psychoanalytic theory" was not popular at that time and was thought to be scandalous.

Theory of Hypnosis

In 1885, Freud went to Paris where he became familiar with the technique of hypnosis. During 1890, he founded the Psychoanalytic theory. He then realized the effect of hypnosis as temporary, he adopted the alternative theory of treatment suggested by his friend Joseph Breuer and Freud together published their theory in studies in Hysteria in 1894. They also jointly formulated that a patient needs to confront these past issues in order to overpower phobia. Their findings were considered Revolutionary.

Ego Defense Mechanism

According to Freud's model of the mind, the unconscious parts of the mind are continually trying to break through, to dominate the unconsciousness, but they are held back by the ego. The ego, therefore, experiences three sources of threat those from the id those from the super-ego and those from reality itself. In order to cope with these, it uses defense mechanisms some of the major ego-defense mechanisms outlined by Freud are : Denial, Repression, Regression, Projection, Reaction Formation, Identification with aggressor.