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The Psychoanalytic Theory 2538050
Sigmund Freud first termed psychoanalysis, a theory of personality. Freud’s theory has
contributed massively to the discipline of psychology. He believed that when one taps into
their unconscious mind, solutions to problems can be found. It additionally helps explain
reasons behind behaviours. However, numerous critiques have been made against Freud and
his theory. In this essay, issues surrounding psychoanalysis will be covered such as what it
incorporates, its strengths and weaknesses and said strengths and weaknesses within the
South African context.
According to Freud, a person’s personality is determined by their innate sexual and
aggressive impulses (instincts) which are repressed, as they are forbidden in society. There
are two instincts; the life instinct (eros) and the death instinct (thanatos) (Freud, 1901, as
cited in Swartz et al., 2016). The life instinct wishes to ensure survival. This could involve
obtaining food, money, or sex. When one fulfils these innate wishes, psychic energy is
generated (libido). The death instinct can be described by for example, the thought of
jumping off the bridge one is standing on. It suggests that one wants to unconsciously return
to a preconscious state – before birth. It is repressed but conveyed in forms of aggression like
being violent and self-harming (Schultz & Schultz, 2016, p. 44).
Freud’s theory initially presented ‘levels of personality’ which was often likened to an
iceberg (Schultz & Schultz, 2016). The ‘tip of the iceberg’ is the conscious; the thoughts and
sensations which one is aware of. The preconscious exists between the conscious and
unconscious. It includes memories, thoughts, and experiences that can be recalled. The
largest part of the iceberg, ‘beneath the surface’, is the unconscious. Here lies repressed
memories, emotions, thoughts, and instincts. As mentioned before, the theory suggests that
the unconscious drives us and our behaviours.
Later, Freud redeveloped these ‘levels of personality’ into the ‘structure of personality.’ As
per Schultz and Schultz (2016, pp. 45-47), this included the id - the most basic part of our
personality, which is also completely unconscious. The life and death instincts are situated
here. It operates according to the pleasure principle – more pleasure, less pain. The id feels
something and immediately wants gratification, irrespective of the circumstances. It has no
sense of reality and as such is irrational. This is also known as primary process thought. It
also wishes to always be in homeostasis – a state of equilibrium. When out of homeostasis,
tension is developed, which the id finds unideal and so it immediately wants to relieve that
tension (Swartz et al., 2016).
The Psychoanalytic Theory 2538050
Sigmund Freud first termed psychoanalysis, a theory of personality. Freud’s theory has
contributed massively to the discipline of psychology. He believed that when one taps into
their unconscious mind, solutions to problems can be found. It additionally helps explain
reasons behind behaviours. However, numerous critiques have been made against Freud and
his theory. In this essay, issues surrounding psychoanalysis will be covered such as what it
incorporates, its strengths and weaknesses and said strengths and weaknesses within the
South African context.
According to Freud, a person’s personality is determined by their innate sexual and
aggressive impulses (instincts) which are repressed, as they are forbidden in society. There
are two instincts; the life instinct (eros) and the death instinct (thanatos) (Freud, 1901, as
cited in Swartz et al., 2016). The life instinct wishes to ensure survival. This could involve
obtaining food, money, or sex. When one fulfils these innate wishes, psychic energy is
generated (libido). The death instinct can be described by for example, the thought of
jumping off the bridge one is standing on. It suggests that one wants to unconsciously return
to a preconscious state – before birth. It is repressed but conveyed in forms of aggression like
being violent and self-harming (Schultz & Schultz, 2016, p. 44).
Freud’s theory initially presented ‘levels of personality’ which was often likened to an
iceberg (Schultz & Schultz, 2016). The ‘tip of the iceberg’ is the conscious; the thoughts and
sensations which one is aware of. The preconscious exists between the conscious and
unconscious. It includes memories, thoughts, and experiences that can be recalled. The
largest part of the iceberg, ‘beneath the surface’, is the unconscious. Here lies repressed
memories, emotions, thoughts, and instincts. As mentioned before, the theory suggests that
the unconscious drives us and our behaviours.
Later, Freud redeveloped these ‘levels of personality’ into the ‘structure of personality.’ As
per Schultz and Schultz (2016, pp. 45-47), this included the id - the most basic part of our
personality, which is also completely unconscious. The life and death instincts are situated
here. It operates according to the pleasure principle – more pleasure, less pain. The id feels
something and immediately wants gratification, irrespective of the circumstances. It has no
sense of reality and as such is irrational. This is also known as primary process thought. It
also wishes to always be in homeostasis – a state of equilibrium. When out of homeostasis,
tension is developed, which the id finds unideal and so it immediately wants to relieve that
tension (Swartz et al., 2016).
