SIGMOND FREUD

Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory is one of the most influential and widely studied
psychological theories of the 20th century. His work has significantly impacted the field of
psychology and continues to be relevant today.

At its core, Freud's psychoanalytic theory emphasizes the role of the unconscious mind in
shaping human behavior and experiences. According to Freud, the human psyche is composed of
three parts: the id, ego, and superego. The id is the primitive, instinctual part of the psyche that
operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification for its needs and desires. The
ego is the rational, conscious part of the psyche that mediates between the id and the external
world, seeking to balance the demands of reality and the desires of the id. The superego is the
moralistic, socialized aspect of the psyche that internalizes societal values and standards, serving
as a kind of internal moral compass.

Freud also proposed that human behavior is influenced by unconscious conflicts, defense
mechanisms, and unresolved issues from childhood experiences, particularly in relation to
psychosexual development. Freud believed that individuals go through a series of psychosexual
stages (oral, anal, phallic, latent, and genital) that shape their personality and behavior, and that
unresolved conflicts during any of these stages can lead to psychological problems in adulthood.

To help individuals address and resolve these unconscious conflicts, Freud developed a form of
talk therapy known as psychoanalysis. In psychoanalysis, the therapist helps the patient explore
their unconscious thoughts, feelings, and experiences, often through techniques such as free
association, dream analysis, and transference.

While Freud's theory has been criticized and debated by many psychologists over the years, its
impact on the field of psychology cannot be overstated. Freud's ideas have influenced countless
other theories and approaches to psychology, and his concepts and terminology have become a
part of the common language of our culture.

Id, ego, and superego are three components of the human psyche as proposed by Sigmund
Freud's psychoanalytic theory.

The id is the most primitive and instinctual part of the psyche. It operates on the pleasure
principle and seeks immediate gratification for its needs and desires. The id is not bound by
social norms, morality, or logic and is driven purely by impulses and instincts.

The ego is the conscious, rational, and realistic part of the psyche that mediates between the id
and the external world. The ego seeks to balance the demands of reality and the desires of the id.
The ego helps individuals make decisions and act in ways that are acceptable to society while
also satisfying their basic needs and desires.
The superego is the moralistic, socialized aspect of the psyche that internalizes societal values
and standards. It represents the individual's internalized sense of right and wrong and serves as a
kind of internal moral compass. The superego strives for perfection and is responsible for
feelings of guilt and shame when one does not meet the standards of morality or social norms.

In Freud's theory, the id, ego, and superego are constantly in conflict with each other, with the
ego striving to balance the conflicting demands of the id and superego. This conflict can lead to
psychological problems when an individual is unable to resolve or cope with the conflicts arising
between these components of the psyche.

Here are some examples or illustrations to help understand the concept of Id, ego, and
superego:

1. Eating Habits

 Id: The id is responsible for our basic instincts and impulses, such as hunger. When we
feel hungry, the id will immediately urge us to eat whatever is available, without
considering whether it's healthy or not.

 Ego: The ego will weigh the options and decide whether it's appropriate to eat at that
particular moment, considering factors such as time, place, and availability of food.

 Superego: The superego will consider the moral and social implications of eating certain
types of food. For example, if someone is on a diet and trying to eat healthily, the
superego may override the id's impulse to eat junk food.

2. Buying Decisions

 Id: The id may urge someone to make impulsive buying decisions, such as buying
something they cannot afford or do not need, just because it provides immediate pleasure.

 Ego: The ego will consider the consequences of the buying decision and determine
whether it is a rational choice or not.

 Superego: The superego may play a role in the buying decision by considering moral and
ethical considerations. For example, the superego may prevent someone from buying a
product that was produced through unethical means.

3. Interpersonal Relationships

 Id: The id may encourage someone to act on their sexual impulses without regard for the
consequences or feelings of others.
  Ego: The ego will consider the feelings and needs of others and make decisions that are
appropriate to the situation and context.

 Superego: The superego will consider the moral and social implications of engaging in
certain behaviors, such as adultery or other forms of infidelity, and may prevent someone
from acting on their impulses.

B.F. Skinner was an American psychologist who developed the theory of behaviorism, which
focused on the study of observable behaviors and how they are shaped and controlled by
environmental factors.

Skinner believed that behavior is influenced by its consequences, meaning that if a behavior is
followed by a desirable consequence, it is more likely to be repeated in the future. Conversely, if
a behavior is followed by an undesirable consequence, it is less likely to be repeated in the
future. This process of shaping behavior through reinforcement or punishment is known as
operant conditioning.

Skinner's work led to the development of behavior analysis, which is a scientific approach to
understanding and changing behavior. Behavior analysts use a variety of techniques to study
behavior, including observation, data collection, and experimentation. They focus on identifying
the antecedents and consequences of behavior, and use this information to develop strategies for
behavior change.

Behavior analysis has been applied in a wide range of settings, including education, healthcare,
and business. It is often used to help individuals overcome behavioral challenges, such as those
associated with autism, addiction, or mental health disorders.
Understanding the Id, Ego, and Superego.

Human personality is complex and consists of various layers. According to Sigmund Freud, the
human personality consists of three parts: id, ego, and superego. Together, these three
components create complex human behaviors. Moreover, these components add to one’s
personality in different ways. According to Freud's theory, certain aspects of personality are
more dominant than others and might make you act upon your most basic urges. On the other
hand, some parts of your personality work to counteract those urges.

Let us look at the three significant components of personality and how they work together to
balance your attitude and overall personality.

The Components of Personality

 The Id

The id is the primary component of personality and is believed to be the source of all psychic

energy. It is present since birth and determines how you will react when expressing your desires.
It majorly contains aggressive drives and hidden memories. If the desires expressed by the id are
not satisfied on time, it may lead to anxiety or tension. For example, if you are hungry, not filling
your tummy with nutritious food may make you furious. Also, the id determines the behavior of
a baby and helps in fulfilling their needs. If a baby is hungry or experiences discomfort, they will
cry until their demands are satisfied. Eventually, people learn to control their id, but this part of
personality remains the primal force throughout life.

 The Ego

The ego is an extended part of the id and helps you express your desire more acceptably. It deals
with reality and majorly functions in the conscious, subconscious, and unconscious mind. The
ego functions based on the reality principle and takes the cost and benefits of action into
consideration before performing a particular action. According to Freud, the id is like a horse,
and the ego is like the horse rider. A horse rider trains the horse and guides them. Likewise, the
horse provides power and motion to the rider.

 The Superego

The superego tends to develop after the age of five years. These consist of the morals and values
that you inherit from your parents and society. It helps you make better judgments and keep you
aligned with your values.

The superego majorly consists of two parts:

 1. Conscience: It includes information on things that are not considered good or acceptable
by society and your family. Getting indulged in such behavior may make you feel guilty.

2. Ego ideal: It includes the rules and standards for behaviors.

Superego is crucial as it helps you exhibit proper behavior according to societal standards. It tries
to work between the impulsive behavior of the id and the realistic principles of the ego.

The interaction of id, ego, and superego

The id, ego, and superego are not separate entities; instead, they work together to shape your
personality. These aspects are dynamic and lay the foundation of your personality and attitude.
There might be conflicts among the id, ego, and superego. However, these components function
properly even when the dueling forces act among them.

What happens when there is an imbalance among the id, ego, and superego?

A charismatic personality requires a balance between the id, ego, and superego. If the ego can
manage the demands of the id and superego, you will get a well-balanced personality. Likewise,
a disturbance or imbalance among the three may lead to a maladaptive personality. For example,
a dominant id may make a person impulsive and uncontrollable. Likewise, if the superego
dominates all other components of your personality, you are more likely to become moralistic
and judgmental.

Your personality and attitude make you different from others. It is the total of how you behave,
react, and make decisions under a given circumstance. Freud’s theory tells how different
components of your personality interact and behave in a situation. It also gives an idea of how
the personality is structured. According to him, there should be a balance in the interaction
among the id, ego, and superego. If all the components are balanced, you will get a healthy
personality. However, there are training and special sessions to develop your persona.
Personality development is crucial because it helps you build confidence and boosts your morale.
Moreover, it improves your skills and helps you lead a better life.
Social Bond Theory:

Social Bond Theory, proposed by Travis Hirschi in his 1969 book "Causes of Delinquency,"
argues that the strength of an individual's social bonds with others is the key factor in preventing
them from engaging in deviant behavior. Hirschi posited that individuals who have strong social
bonds are less likely to engage in criminal or delinquent behavior, as they have greater
investment in conventional society and are more likely to internalize societal norms and values.

According to Hirschi, the four components of social bonds that prevent individuals from
engaging in deviant behavior are:

Attachment: the extent to which an individual has emotional connections to others, such as
family, friends, and colleagues.

Commitment: the extent to which an individual has invested time, effort, and resources in
conventional activities such as education, career, and community involvement.

Involvement: the extent to which an individual is engaged in conventional activities, such as

sports, clubs, and hobbies, that occupy their time and energy.

Belief: the extent to which an individual accepts and internalizes societal norms and values.

Hirschi's theory has been influential in criminology and has been applied to various forms of
deviant behavior, such as drug use, gang involvement, and white-collar crime. However, some
criticisms have been leveled against the theory, such as its focus on individual-level factors and
its failure to account for social structural factors, such as poverty and inequality.

References:

Hirschi, T. (1969). Causes of delinquency. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Hirschi, T. (1977). Theoretical propositions of symbolic interactionism. In J. Turner (Ed.),

Theory building in sociology: Assessing theoretical cumulation (pp. 271-303). New York:
Greenwood Press.
Akers, R. L. (1991). Self-control as a general theory of crime. Journal of Quantitative
Criminology, 7(2), 201-211.

Sampson, R. J., & Laub, J. H. (1990). Crime and deviance over the life course: The salience of
adult social bonds. American Sociological Review, 55(5), 609-627