Sigmund Freud's Theory of Human Nature

Freud's theories on human nature were based mainly on his personal experience in life. He also developed some of his famous theories on id, ego, superego, life and death instincts, and psychoanalysis while treating patients in Vienna. It's important to note that his theories were widely influential and invited criticism from people who opposed his ideas. However, his views have hugely impacted our culture and have laid the foundation of many significant departments of studies in psychology. Key Ideas of Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalysis According to Sigmund Freud's theories based on psychoanalytic investigation, human nature comprises characteristics and traits that go back in the past and are linked to a person's childhood. The Postulation of the Unconscious Freud believed that our minds contain preconscious states – states that we're not conscious of but can recall if and when needed, as well as unconscious states – states that cannot become conscious under any circumstance.

Freudian view of human nature states that our minds have elements we aren't aware of, but these elements exert influence on us nonetheless. These elements may at some point have been conscious but were eventually repressed to be pushed into the unconscious. For example, an individual may no longer want to remember a traumatic childhood event. Under this idea, Freud advanced his famous three-part division of the structure of the mind: • Id – instinctual drives that seek impulsive satisfaction as per the pleasure principle. He emphasized that to understand any individual, you need to know about the various experiences of their childhood. He pointed out that the love shared between parents and children laid the foundation of adult love and what an individual expects (Dr.

John Messerly, 2014). Diagnosis of Mental Harmony and Repression Freud believed that an individual's well-being or happiness depends on a harmonious relationship between the many different parts of the mind and between the individual and society. Many factors within these identify the cause of unhappiness and mental uneasiness. The pressure to behave a certain way, do a sure thing, or appear a certain way paves the way for most repressions among people. The stress of unrealistic expectations can drastically affect an individual's mind. Summing It Up Freud's psychoanalysis of human nature puts forward an exciting light on understanding how a human mind works in ways that are difficult to comprehend but mostly have their roots tied deep within. Bibliography Dr John Messerly (2014) Summary of Freud's Basic Ideas - https://reasonandmeaning.