Published on 27 October 2021

If Sigmund Freud Was Alive?

General Psychology IF-SIGMUND-FREUD-WAS-ALIVE
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Sigmund Freud is one of the most controversial and also influential figures in the world of psychology. He was an Austrian neurologist born to Galician Jewish parents in the Moravian town of Freiberg in the Austrian empire. He founded Psychoanalysis and initiated a clinical method for patients suffering from anxiety and depression. The issue is to treat psychopathology through dialogue between a psychoanalyst and a patient.

Sigmund Freud is known as one of the most influential thinkers of all time. His ideas on psychology, particularly regarding the human psyche and its complex inner workings, have significantly impacted both scientific circles and pop culture. Freud's work covered a wide range of topics, from dream analysis to psychotherapy to the concept of unconscious" processes.

Before he died, he introduced the term Psychoanalysis, which changed the world of psychology. He explained psychoanalysis as a dominating school of thought during his early psychology period, which remains dominant today.

In addition to his mastery of psychology, Sigmund's ideas have penetrated popular concepts and culture. Freudian slips, wish fulfillment, the ego, and the unconscious are even more commonly used in the tone everyone uses.

Id, Superego, And Ego In Psychology

The id, superego, and ego are the three main components of our personality, according to Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory. 

Id

The id is our most primitive instinctual impulse; it doesn't have a sense of right or wrong; it just wants immediate gratification for its desires. 

Superego 

The superego is the moral part of us (our conscience) that keeps us in check and ensures we follow society's standards; this comes mainly from parental influence as we grow up. 

Ego 

The ego is like a bridge between the two: it’s the negotiator that seeks pleasurable experiences while satisfying our morals at the same time. All these things combined make up who we are—pretty cool stuff!

Frequently asked questions

Sigmund Freud was born on May 6th, 1856 in Freiberg, Moravia (now known as the Czech Republic).,
Sigmund Freud is one of the most famous figures in psychology, but his theories have been highly controversial. Studies instead of empirical research and for disregarding gender and cultural differences between people. Freud also suggested that much human behavior is driven by sexual desires stemming from childhood experiences, which many considered too provocative at the time.

The Work Of Sigmund Freud

Psychology's most famous figure is also one of the twentieth century's most innovative, influential, and controversial thinkers. Sigmund Freud's work and theories helped give proper direction and shape to our views towards this term.

He made us change our views of personality, childhood, therapy, sexuality, and memory. After the explanation of his theories, many major thinkers approached their theories on psychoanalysis, which took the field of psychology to another level.

These major thinkers have contributed their efforts to growing out of Freud's legacy, while others also developed and initiated new theories to oppose his ideas.

His theories were enormously powerful and understandable, which influenced people positively. Every theory has some negative subject followed by continuous criticism by others; during his early years, he experienced a lot of hate and criticism for his theory, but he never left his ideas.

He popularized concepts such as the ego, Id (biological component), libido, defense mechanisms, dream analysis, and psychosexual development, among many others. In addition to his work on understanding the human psyche, he was also a pioneer in psychoanalysis, which helped individuals uncover motivations for their actions so they could understand why they behave in certain ways. 

Through his revolutionary contributions to science and medicine, we have improved methods for diagnosing mental illness and treating psychological disorders. Although the ideas that he came up with are becoming more interwoven into our culture. Some of the ideas are in terms like "denial" and "repression." Let's see in detail about Sigmund and psychology.

Sigmund Freud And Psychoanalysis

Before Psychoanalysis, behaviorism was known by many, and in the time of Freud, the term psychoanalysis was replaced by behaviorism. The learning theory is a prevalent concept that immediately focuses on how things are adapted and how students learn.

This learning theory states that behaviors are mostly learned from the environment and not from anywhere. It is said that Behavior is Inherited and intrinsic factors very less influence behavior. Reinforcement is a prevalent example of behaviorism.

When Freud came up with his ideas, they greatly impacted both psychotherapy and psychology. If he had been alive today, then we might take a hint that he would have taken psychoanalysis to another whole level. As powerful a mind as he had, he could have shaken the world by updating his ideas to make others look small. 

Freud's Contributions To Psychology

Sigmund Freud's groundbreaking work on the subconscious mind changed our understanding of psychology and continues influencing how we think and act today. His ideas also opened avenues for therapeutic treatment, such as his psychoanalytic approach, which encouraged individuals to discuss their issues and explore repressed memories. 

Additionally, his concepts of dream interpretation shaped how we view this mysterious form of expression, allowing us to greater understand its hidden meanings and implications. Ultimately it's fair to say that Sigmund Freud's innovative thought profoundly impacted the world that can still be felt today. Here are some contributions of Sigmund Freud:

The Unconscious

Freud's idea of “Unconscious” refers to thoughts, feelings, and memories that are outside of our conscious awareness. This can refer to experiences we may have forgotten about or things we've repressed to cope with emotions associated with the experience. 

Freud believed that the unconscious operated on many different levels; the preconscious contained information that was easy to reach our consciousness and only needed a small reminder to become conscious, while the deepest level was composed of primitive desires and fantasies which lay beyond conscious awareness. 

Psychoanalysis

Freud's idea of “Psychoanalysis” theory is that human behavior is rooted in the unconscious mind and can be understood through exploring inner thoughts and feelings. He believed that the unconscious contains repressed childhood experiences, conflicting desires, and unresolved issues which can manifest in our adult lives. He also thought that mental illness was caused by psychological conflicts caused by these repressed feelings. 

Thus, psychoanalysis focuses on making the unconscious conscious by addressing these issues through conversation between the client and therapist. This process is meant to help people gain self-awareness and insight into their behavior to live a better, healthy life.

Childhood Influence

Freud's “Childhood Influence” theory suggests that our childhood experiences can greatly impact how we develop as adults. Freud believed that the id, ego, and superego were all formed in early childhood and argued that some experiences could leave lasting impressions on us throughout our lives. 

According to this theory, if a child is deprived of nutrition or attention from parents or siblings during their formative years, they may be at a greater risk for later psychological issues. It is also suggested by Freud's theories that childhood traumas can lead to certain defense mechanisms used later in life to cope with difficult situations and feelings of Anxiety.

Literary Theory

Freud's “Literary theory” pioneered the understanding of the unconscious's role in producing art and literature. He argued that all texts are created from an author's unconscious, vocalizing desires and fears which remain hidden beneath their conscious thoughts. 

Freud also believed that common symbolic images such as water, fire and birds could be used to represent certain aspects of life, with every reader interpreting a work differently based on their own experiences. 

For example, while two people may read the exact text, they may perceive it differently due to the personal meanings attributed to certain symbols within the work.

Major Works Of Sigmund Freud

Sigmund Freud was a trailblazer in psychology and psychotherapy; his major works are still relevant today. "The Interpretation of Dreams," first published in 1899, laid the foundation for much of the psychoanalytical work that followed in the 20th century. 

In "Beyond the Pleasure Principle," he developed interesting ideas about unconscious motivations and behavior. 

Additionally, he wrote several other seminal works, such as "The Ego and the Id,"in which explored id-ego dynamics; "Civilization and Its Discontents," which delved into the psychic tolls of living responsibly within society; and "Moses and Monotheism," which investigated religious traditions. 

He was one of the key pioneers to help us understand how our psychological makeup impacts our daily lives. Here are some major books written by Sigmund Freud:

  • The Future of an Illusion
  • Civilization and Its Discontents
  • The Psychopathology of Everyday Life
  • Totem and Taboo
  • The Interpretation of Dreams

What Does A Dream Mean? Dream Interpretation

While many theories explain what a dream is, one could fully explain and understudy the dream's purpose. Freud explained that Dreams could be mysterious, but understanding the meaning of our dreams can be downright baffling.

Psychoanalysis looks to bring some unconscious information into the awareness to bring about catharsis. Emotional release can bring about relief from psychological distress.

Research has found that psychoanalysis can be an effective treatment for a number of mental health conditions. The involvement of self-examination in the therapy process could help many achieve improvement and long-term growth.

Some key points that could be added are that Freud highlighted the importance of the unconscious mind, as he had a great assumption that the unconscious mind governs behavior more properly than anyone suspects. He told everyone that the main motto of Psychoanalysis is to make the unconscious conscious.

Freud's Theory Is Relevant But As A Reference Point.

Freud's theories are still relevant but should be considered more as a reference than absolute truth. His work has been immensely influential, shaping how we understand ourselves, psychology and the problems we face. Freud revolutionized our understanding of unconscious processes and his effects are evident in many current psychological practices, such as psychoanalysis or dream analysis. 

However, it's important to remember that Freud's methods were often unreliable and his work has since been heavily criticized for its lack of scientific rigor. We should use Freud's theory as a starting point from which to explore modern issues in psychology further treating. It is not a definitive guide but a valuable resource that helps us build our knowledge around human behavior.

Freud's methods, conclusions, and techniques were questioned even to the point where some of his theories became more viewed as damaging to certain parts of the population. His views on women and homosexuality were the issue; some might point out his theory as irrelevant.

When And How Sigmund Freud Died?

Sigmund Freud died on September 23rd, 1939, at the age of 83. It is thought that he had experienced a prolonged decline in health due to jaw cancer and what was probably a carcinoma at the base of his tongue. 

He attempted surgery several times throughout his later years, but complications such as infection often prevented him from recovering for good. After months of pain and discomfort, including profound depression, Freud died peacefully in his sleep after finally opting to cease all medical treatments. 

By then, his doctors had warned him that their efforts to help him were no longer in vain. His legacy lives on through the continued study of psychoanalytic thought that serves as an important starting point for understanding the psychological foundation of the human condition.

Bottom Line From Practical Anxiety Solutions

The people all appreciate their theoretical achievements and the change he has brought to the psychological world. Theories that overtook the work of Freud could be effective, but we believe that if Sigmund Freud had been alive, then the theory of psychoanalysis could be more influential now.

No one could have explained every point on psychology; the way he elaborated on his ideas and directed the points toward nature or said to society was outstanding. He was known as the father of psychoanalysis based on his intelligence and work.