● Thanatos (Death Instincts) – The
Theory unconscious drive toward aggression,
destruction, and self-sabotage.
Framework: The theory explains behavior as a result of conflicts
between the id, ego, and superego. For example, a
person may experience anxiety due to repressed
Sigmund Freud desires, which can manifest in defense mechanisms
like denial or projection.
Development: How does the theory explain
between human development, from infanity to
old age?
Structure: What is the structure of personality Psychosexual Stages of Development
according to the theory?
Freud proposed that personality develops through
The Three Components of Personality five psychosexual stages:
According to Freud, personality is structured into 1. Oral Stage (0-1 year) – Focus on mouth
three parts: activities (sucking, biting). Fixation may
lead to dependency or habits like smoking.
● Id (Unconscious, Primitive Desires) – 2. Anal Stage (1-3 years) – Focus on bowel
Operates on the pleasure principle and seeks control. Fixation may result in obsessive
immediate gratification of instincts. cleanliness (anal-retentive) or disorderliness
● Ego (Reality-Oriented, Rational) – (anal-expulsive).
Functions on the reality principle, balancing 3. Phallic Stage (3-6 years) – Identification
the demands of the id and the constraints of with same-sex parent, resolution of
reality. Oedipus/Electra complex.
● Superego (Moral and Ethical Standards) – 4. Latency Stage (6-12 years) – Sexual energy
Represents internalized societal values, is repressed, and focus shifts to social and
acting as the conscience that guides intellectual skills.
behavior. 5. Genital Stage (12+ years) – Mature sexual
relationships and development of adult
These three components interact constantly, shaping personality.
a person’s thoughts, emotions, and actions.
Unresolved conflicts at any stage can lead to fixation,
Dynamics: What motivates behavior according influencing adult personality.
to the theory? How does the theory explain why
a person does what she/he is doing? Psychopathology: What abnormal behavior
patterns develop according to the theory?
Motivation Behind Behavior
Abnormal Behavior Patterns
Freud believed that behavior is driven by
unconscious forces, particularly: According to Freud, psychological disorders arise
from unconscious conflicts and repressed thoughts.
● Eros (Life Instincts) – The drive for Common issues include:
survival, pleasure, love, and sexual
reproduction ● Neuroses (e.g., anxiety, phobias, OCD) –
Due to unresolved unconscious conflicts.
, ● Hysteria and Conversion Disorders – ● Psychotherapy – Laying the foundation for
Physical symptoms without medical cause, modern therapeutic approaches.
linked to repressed emotions. ● Defense Mechanisms – Providing a
● Fixations – Unresolved psychosexual framework for understanding coping
conflicts affecting personality (e.g., oral behaviors.
fixation leading to excessive dependency). ● Influence on Other Theories – Inspiring
Neo-Freudians (e.g., Jung, Adler, Erikson)
Defense mechanisms (e.g., repression, displacement, and later personality theories.
regression) are used to cope with unconscious
conflicts but can lead to maladaptive behaviors Though controversial, Freud’s theory remains
fundamental in psychology, shaping research on
Psychotherapy: What intentions for addressing personality, mental health, and human behavior.
personality disorder are proposed by the
theory? Sigmund Freud developed several key theories
that shaped the field of psychology, particularly in
Psychoanalysis as Treatment personality, development, and psychotherapy.
Freud proposed psychoanalysis to uncover His most influential theories include:
unconscious conflicts and resolve psychological
distress. Techniques include: Psychoanalytic Theory of Personality
● Free Association – Encouraging Freud's psychoanalytic theory proposes that personality is
spontaneous speech to reveal unconscious shaped by unconscious conflicts between three structures of
thoughts. the mind:
● Dream Analysis – Interpreting dreams as
● Id – Primitive instincts (pleasure principle).
symbols of hidden desires. ● Ego – Rational self (reality principle).
● Transference – Patients projecting ● Superego – Moral conscience (internalized
unconscious feelings onto the therapist. societal values).
The goal is to bring repressed material into Personality develops through these conflicting forces, often
consciousness, helping individuals gain insight and influenced by early childhood experiences.
resolve conflicts.
Psychosexual Theory of Development
Applications: What are the contribution of the
theory in the developing field of personality Freud believed that personality develops through five
psychology? psychosexual stages, where pleasure is focused on
different erogenous zones:
Contributions to Personality Psychology
1. Oral Stage (0-1 year) – Pleasure from the mouth
(sucking, biting).
Freud’s psychoanalytic theory has significantly 2. Anal Stage (1-3 years) – Focus on bowel control
influenced psychology, contributing to: (toilet training).
3. Phallic Stage (3-6 years) – Identification with
● Understanding the Unconscious Mind – same-sex parent (Oedipus/Electra complex).
Highlighting the role of unconscious 4. Latency Stage (6-12 years) – Sexual energy is
motives in behavior. dormant; focus on social and intellectual skills.
● Developmental Psychology – Introducing 5. Genital Stage (12+ years) – Mature sexual
the concept that childhood experiences relationships develop.
shape personality.
Fixation at any stage can lead to personality issues in
adulthood.
Theory unconscious drive toward aggression,
destruction, and self-sabotage.
Framework: The theory explains behavior as a result of conflicts
between the id, ego, and superego. For example, a
person may experience anxiety due to repressed
Sigmund Freud desires, which can manifest in defense mechanisms
like denial or projection.
Development: How does the theory explain
between human development, from infanity to
old age?
Structure: What is the structure of personality Psychosexual Stages of Development
according to the theory?
Freud proposed that personality develops through
The Three Components of Personality five psychosexual stages:
According to Freud, personality is structured into 1. Oral Stage (0-1 year) – Focus on mouth
three parts: activities (sucking, biting). Fixation may
lead to dependency or habits like smoking.
● Id (Unconscious, Primitive Desires) – 2. Anal Stage (1-3 years) – Focus on bowel
Operates on the pleasure principle and seeks control. Fixation may result in obsessive
immediate gratification of instincts. cleanliness (anal-retentive) or disorderliness
● Ego (Reality-Oriented, Rational) – (anal-expulsive).
Functions on the reality principle, balancing 3. Phallic Stage (3-6 years) – Identification
the demands of the id and the constraints of with same-sex parent, resolution of
reality. Oedipus/Electra complex.
● Superego (Moral and Ethical Standards) – 4. Latency Stage (6-12 years) – Sexual energy
Represents internalized societal values, is repressed, and focus shifts to social and
acting as the conscience that guides intellectual skills.
behavior. 5. Genital Stage (12+ years) – Mature sexual
relationships and development of adult
These three components interact constantly, shaping personality.
a person’s thoughts, emotions, and actions.
Unresolved conflicts at any stage can lead to fixation,
Dynamics: What motivates behavior according influencing adult personality.
to the theory? How does the theory explain why
a person does what she/he is doing? Psychopathology: What abnormal behavior
patterns develop according to the theory?
Motivation Behind Behavior
Abnormal Behavior Patterns
Freud believed that behavior is driven by
unconscious forces, particularly: According to Freud, psychological disorders arise
from unconscious conflicts and repressed thoughts.
● Eros (Life Instincts) – The drive for Common issues include:
survival, pleasure, love, and sexual
reproduction ● Neuroses (e.g., anxiety, phobias, OCD) –
Due to unresolved unconscious conflicts.
, ● Hysteria and Conversion Disorders – ● Psychotherapy – Laying the foundation for
Physical symptoms without medical cause, modern therapeutic approaches.
linked to repressed emotions. ● Defense Mechanisms – Providing a
● Fixations – Unresolved psychosexual framework for understanding coping
conflicts affecting personality (e.g., oral behaviors.
fixation leading to excessive dependency). ● Influence on Other Theories – Inspiring
Neo-Freudians (e.g., Jung, Adler, Erikson)
Defense mechanisms (e.g., repression, displacement, and later personality theories.
regression) are used to cope with unconscious
conflicts but can lead to maladaptive behaviors Though controversial, Freud’s theory remains
fundamental in psychology, shaping research on
Psychotherapy: What intentions for addressing personality, mental health, and human behavior.
personality disorder are proposed by the
theory? Sigmund Freud developed several key theories
that shaped the field of psychology, particularly in
Psychoanalysis as Treatment personality, development, and psychotherapy.
Freud proposed psychoanalysis to uncover His most influential theories include:
unconscious conflicts and resolve psychological
distress. Techniques include: Psychoanalytic Theory of Personality
● Free Association – Encouraging Freud's psychoanalytic theory proposes that personality is
spontaneous speech to reveal unconscious shaped by unconscious conflicts between three structures of
thoughts. the mind:
● Dream Analysis – Interpreting dreams as
● Id – Primitive instincts (pleasure principle).
symbols of hidden desires. ● Ego – Rational self (reality principle).
● Transference – Patients projecting ● Superego – Moral conscience (internalized
unconscious feelings onto the therapist. societal values).
The goal is to bring repressed material into Personality develops through these conflicting forces, often
consciousness, helping individuals gain insight and influenced by early childhood experiences.
resolve conflicts.
Psychosexual Theory of Development
Applications: What are the contribution of the
theory in the developing field of personality Freud believed that personality develops through five
psychology? psychosexual stages, where pleasure is focused on
different erogenous zones:
Contributions to Personality Psychology
1. Oral Stage (0-1 year) – Pleasure from the mouth
(sucking, biting).
Freud’s psychoanalytic theory has significantly 2. Anal Stage (1-3 years) – Focus on bowel control
influenced psychology, contributing to: (toilet training).
3. Phallic Stage (3-6 years) – Identification with
● Understanding the Unconscious Mind – same-sex parent (Oedipus/Electra complex).
Highlighting the role of unconscious 4. Latency Stage (6-12 years) – Sexual energy is
motives in behavior. dormant; focus on social and intellectual skills.
● Developmental Psychology – Introducing 5. Genital Stage (12+ years) – Mature sexual
the concept that childhood experiences relationships develop.
shape personality.
Fixation at any stage can lead to personality issues in
adulthood.
