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Basic Psychology

Introduction

One of the most significant people in the history of psychology is Austrian doctor and

psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. His groundbreaking study has had a lasting impact on the

discipline, influencing how we think about and behave and how the unconscious works. This

paper examines the many contributions of Sigmund Freud to psychology, emphasizing his

original ideas, effective treatment methods, and long-lasting influence on the field.

The Evolution of Psychoanalysis

Unquestionably, Freud's development of psychoanalysis is his most important

contribution to psychology. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, he established this

groundbreaking strategy for comprehending the human mind. An individual's unconscious mind

contains hidden impulses and conflicts that may be uncovered via psychoanalysis, a therapy

technique that aims to do just that. According to Freud, these unconscious forces were very

important in determining human behavior, emotions, and mental diseases. The structure of the

mind, which Freud divided into the conscious mind (thoughts and feelings we are currently

aware of), the preconscious mind (thoughts and feelings that are easily accessed with attention),

and the unconscious mind (thoughts and feelings that are hidden from conscious awareness but
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influence our behavior), is one of the cornerstone ideas in psychoanalysis. The complexity of

human awareness was eventually understood using this three-part mental paradigm (Zhang, pp.

229-232).

The Oedipus Complex

Freud also significantly contributed by developing the Oedipus complex, a key idea in

psychoanalytic theory. According to Freud, children go through several phases throughout the

early stages of psychosexual development that are distinguished by particular sexual impulses

and tensions. The Oedipus complex includes a child's unconscious yearning for their opposite-

sex parent and competition with the same-sex parent, and it develops throughout the phallic stage

(ages 3 to 6). According to Freud, the proper resolution of this complex was essential for the

child's general mental health and psychosexual development. The Oedipus complex provided a

fresh viewpoint on the causes of neuroses and personality development by shedding light on the

intricate interaction between sexuality and familial relations. Although the idea has undergone

criticism and modification throughout time, it is still a significant and thought-provoking

component of psychoanalytic theory.

Mechanisms of Defense

Another important addition to psychology is Freud's investigation of defensive

mechanisms. Various unconscious coping techniques used by people to deal with worry and

shield the ego from unpleasant thoughts and sensations were discovered by him. These strategies

include, among others, suppression, denial, projection, relocation, and rationalization. The

development of psychotherapy methods and the study of human behavior have benefited greatly

from understanding protective mechanisms. Therapists have found latent tensions and aided
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patients' recovery thanks to Freud's insights about how people instinctively guard themselves

from difficult facts.

Dream Interpretation

The publication of "The Interpretation of Dreams," one of Freud's most well-known

books, in 1899 brought about a revolutionary change in our understanding of the unconscious

mind. The concept that dreams are a window into the unconscious and contain hidden meanings

and symbols that might reveal suppressed impulses and conflicts was first presented by Freud in

this book. He suggested that dreams act as wish fulfillment, enabling people to mask and

symbolically fulfill their unmet wishes. In addition to improving our knowledge of the human

mind, "The Interpretation of Dreams" also established the principles for using dream analysis in

psychoanalysis. Modern psychotherapy and the study of dreams are still influenced by Freud's

methods of dream interpretation, such as free association, the analysis of symbols and hidden

content, and free association (Mcleod).

Early life experiences and their impact

Freud's focus on how early events shape personality and behavior was a revolutionary

shift from the preeminent psychological theories of the day. He said that early experiences and

conflicts, especially those that occur in the first five phases of psychosexual development (oral,

anal, phallic, latent, and genital), significantly influence how people turn out in adulthood. This

idea called the "psychodynamic" approach, redirected psychology's attention to investigating

hidden motivations, unresolved conflicts, and the long-lasting impact of early events on

behavior. Freud stressed the importance of early life experiences, which paved the way for the

creation of attachment theory and the study of developmental psychology (Mcleod).

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Therapeutic Approaches

Along with his theoretical contributions, Freud also invented groundbreaking therapeutic

methods that are now essential to contemporary psychotherapy. One of his most well-known

methods is free association, where patients are urged to express their emotions, memories, and

ideas without restraint. Freud thought the therapist may learn about the patient's unconscious

conflicts and motives via this procedure. Freud also popularized the concept of transference, a

phenomenon in which clients unintentionally project their sentiments and emotions from

previous relationships onto their therapists. Knowing about transference enabled therapists to

delve deeper into the patient's emotional past and unsolved problems. The therapeutic alliance

was another idea Freud established, highlighting the significance of a dependable and

sympathetic therapist-patient connection. This idea has grown to be a tenet of contemporary

psychotherapy, emphasizing the value of the therapeutic alliance in promoting recovery and

personal development (Diamond, pp. 665-720).

Controversies and Criticisms

Unquestionably, Sigmund Freud made advances in psychology, yet his ideas have also

drawn criticism and contention. According to Solms (pp.17-39), his views are unduly dependent

on subjective interpretations and lack factual support. His emphasis on sexuality and his male-

centric viewpoint have drawn criticism from others, who contend that his ideas may not fully

account for the experiences of women and people from other cultural backgrounds. Later

generations of psychologists have questioned and updated Freud's theories, leading to several

psychoanalytic schools of thought such as ego psychology, object relations theory, and self-

psychology. These schools have tried to improve and expand upon Freud's original ideas,

addressing some of the flaws and issues surrounding his work.

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Conclusion

The contributions made by Sigmund Freud to psychology are both lasting and

revolutionary. His contributions to the field include the creation of psychoanalysis, research into

the unconscious mind, and novel treatment approaches. Freud's discoveries into the complexity

of human psychology continue to influence the way we comprehend and address issues like

mental health, personality development, and the secrets of the unconscious mind, despite the

criticism and revisions his work has endured through time. The many psychological theories and

treatments that have continued to build on Freud's groundbreaking work bear his name, making

him a key role in the development of psychology.

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Works Cited

Diamond, Stephen A. "Existential therapy and Jungian analysis: Toward an existential depth

psychology." Journal of Humanistic Psychology 61.5 (2021): 665-720.

Mcleod, S. (2018). Sigmund Freud’s Theories. Simplypsychology.org; Simply Psychology.

https://www.simplypsychology.org/Sigmund-Freud.html

Solms, Mark. "An introduction to the neuroscientific works of Sigmund Freud." The pre-

psychoanalytic writings of Sigmund Freud. Routledge, 2018. 17-35.

Zhang, Songyang. "Psychoanalysis: The influence of Freud’s theory in personality

psychology." International Conference on Mental Health and Humanities Education

(ICMHHE 2020). Atlantis Press, 2020.