FREE ESSAY ON FREUDIAN THEORY

FREUDIAN THEORY

Freudian Theory 
Sigmund Freud was a Viennese physician, whose psychoanalytic theory is the best-known
psychodynamic approach today. He believed that behavior revealed unconscious internal
forces. His work shows there are probably three parts that make up individual
personality. All three parts are used for most behavioral decisions. This paper will go
over: the id; the ego; the superego; as well as interactions of the id, ego, and
superego.
The Id
The id is thought to be made up of natural biological instincts and urges. The id's
instincts and urges lie in the unconscious. They are all self-serving, impulsive, and
irrational. The id runs according to the pleasure principle (Dennis Coon pg. 465). That
means the id will try to act on any pleasurable experience it conceives of. The libido,
or energy of the id flows from life instincts or Eros. Freud thought the libido
emphasized the effort to live as well as have sex. He also believed we have a death
instinct, or as he called it Thanatos. This is where he suspected aggressive and
destructive urges came from. 
The Ego
One's ego powers direct behavior by adjusting the id's desires to real settings and
occasions. The ego functions on the reality principle using it consciously to operate
personality. The strategy of thinking, planning, problem-solving, and deciding all
happens in the ego (Dennis Coon pg. 465). The ego makes decisions based on both the id
and the superego.
The Superego
The superego serves as a judge or censor for thoughts and actions carried out by the ego.
The superego is what people today think of as a conscience. When the conscience's demands
are not met that person will have to bear guilt as penance. However, if that person were
to meet a goal set by the conscience they would feel pride (Dennis Coon pg.465). Dr.
Sigmund suspected the superego could make a difference in the life of that person. If the
superego was weak he said that person would become a delinquent, a criminal, or an
antisocial. If that superego was too harsh he said that would cause a person to become
repressed, stern, or feel unbearable guilt. 
Interactions of the Id, the Ego, and the Superego 
A person's interactions with the outside world must contain an equilibrium of power
between the id, the ego, and the superego. This is a short example of how they must
coexist.
Freud in a Nutshell 
Let's say you are sexually attracted to an acquaintance. The id clamors for immediate
satisfaction of sexual desires, but is opposed by the superego (which finds the very
thought of sex shocking). The id says, "Go for it!" The superego icily replies, "Never
even think that again!" And what does the ego say? The ego says, "I have a plan!" (Dennis
Coon pg. 466).
This example shows Freud's basic ideas at a simple level.
Freud's theory, although hard to confirm scientifically, has been somewhat accepted by
many psychologists. I believe he is right about how these three things work together, but
I did not agree with his theory of personality development. I do think that it has to do
with our surrounding environment and our parents, but it doesn't have that much to do
with sexuality until we hit puberty.