Freud's Theory (psychoanalytic theory)

Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory

Personality is shaped by unconscious drives and early childhood experiences.

Id

The part of personality that contains instinctual desires and operates on the pleasure principle.

Ego

The component of personality that mediates between the Id and reality, operating on the reality principle.

Superego

The aspect of personality that represents morality and conscience.

Oral Stage

The first psychosexual stage (0-1 yr) focused on sucking; fixation can lead to dependency and oral fixation.

Anal Stage

The second psychosexual stage (1-3 yrs), related to toilet training; fixation can result in control issues and OCD tendencies.

Phallic Stage

The third psychosexual stage (3-6 yrs) characterized by the Oedipus and Electra complexes; fixation can cause relationship issues.

Latency Stage

The fourth psychosexual stage (6-12 yrs) focused on social development, where sexual feelings are suppressed.

Genital Stage

The final psychosexual stage (12+ yrs) emphasizing mature sexual relationships.

Repression

A defense mechanism that involves pushing unwanted thoughts into the unconscious.

Denial

A defense mechanism characterized by refusing to accept reality.

Projection

A defense mechanism where one attributes their own feelings to someone else.

Displacement

A defense mechanism that involves redirecting emotions to a safer target.

Sublimation

A defense mechanism that channels impulses into acceptable activities.

Freud's View of Human Nature

Deterministic perspective where behavior is driven by unconscious forces.

Tension Reduction

Freud's belief that the goal of life is to reduce tension and attain pleasure.

Universal Personality Structures

The idea that all individuals possess an Id, Ego, and Superego.