PERSONALITY episode 2: The psychoanalytic theory
To all the A-level psychology students reading this, I am sure you are all familiar with Sigmund Freud's psychodynamic approach
Here is a summary of Freud's psychodynamic theory:
The Mind's Structure: Divided into three parts:
Id – pleasure-seeking part (present from birth).
Ego – the rational part that mediates between the id and reality.
Superego – the moral conscience, representing the moral standards of the child's same sex parents
Psychosexual Stages: Freud proposed that children go through five stages of development (oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital), and unresolved conflicts at any stage can affect adult personality.
Defense Mechanisms: The ego employs these mechanisms, such as repression, denial, and projection, to mitigate anxiety caused by conflicts between the id and superego.
HOWEVER, I WANT YOU TO CONSIDER THIS ONE BIG QUESTION:
How does Freud’s theory of personality account for extreme variations in personality traits or behaviors?
According to Freud, extreme variations in personality, such as personality disorders, stem from negative childhood experiences. Traumatic memories are repressed in the unconscious.
However, as Freud famously said, “unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways.” This suggests that unresolved internal conflict can manifest later in life, particularly in relationships, social interactions, and daily functioning—through anxiety, irrational behaviors, or maladaptive coping strategies.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO EVALUATE EACH IDEA DISCUSSED IN PSYCHOLOGY
SO THE QUESTION IS ... is Freud's theory applicable to the real world?
Although influential, Freud's explanation of personality can be criticized in many ways:
His theories are not FALSIFIABLE (difficult to scientifically test or measure)
They rely heavily on case studies and subjective interpretation.
Some of his concepts (like the psychosexual stages) are culturally biased, so they lack cultural application This doesn't mean there is no practical value in Freud's psychoanalytic theory. Freud's theory is most useful for understanding the emotional roots of behavior, particularly in therapy. While it may not explain all aspects of personality disorders or extreme traits today, it laid the groundwork for deeper exploration of how early life and the unconscious shape us.