Refelction 12

Sigmund Freud is probably one of the most known men in the field of psychology. His very intensive and descriptive work are still widely used and accepted today. Despite his popularity, many people don’t deem his work to be such genius. Freud’s theories on personality are by far one of the most studied theories’ today as well. In his theory he explains that humans are driven by emotions and behaviors. Sex and aggression are the major factors of this study. They are the base of the motivation that all human beings experience and use. Sex isn’t the sex definition that it is today. Sex is meant in the means of procreation and giving life. Sex is needed in order to continue lineage. Like in animals, sex is the primary source of survival. Aggression on the other hand is said to be our “protective” instinct. It is the drive for us to procreate and to ensure survival and safety. At birth, according to Freud, We are all born with ID. This ID, allows us to get food and be known. Example, when a newborn is hungry, he will cry out to be fed. The child will also do this when it is cold, tired, thirsty, emotional, etc. after a few years the child will develop what Freud calls EGO. EGO is different from ID because it focuses on the reality. They tie hand in hand because now reality comes into play. The needs of the ID are still met, but now there is reality in the equation. Example, a child might cry for food at 2 am, but they parents are asleep and therefore reality sets in. Around the ages of 5 years old, the child will develop SUPEREGO. This is developed as a moral part tied with our parents, guardians or caregivers. The superego helps the human decide what is right and what is wrong. The human Psyche is modeled like an iceberg. The Unconscious on the bottom of the berg, is the ID. The Non conscious, ties in with the Ego as a free floating among all the levels. The Preconscious state is related with the Superego. And finally, at the tip of the ice berg is the Conscious state of the Human Psyche. Personally, I really find Freud a little hard to swallow. He was very sexist when it came to understanding and portraying the role of women. He was very male dominate in his studies. This makes it hard for me to be keen on because as a woman, I want to find something that is not excluded or expelled from the theory because of gender difference. I also find that the personality theory is a bit primitive and animalistic. But with personal feelings aside, I can compare it to real life. Looking at people all around, you can see a hint of primitive behavior even in the most civilized of places.