The Theory of the Unconscious
- unconscious mental states
- deterministic principles applied to sphere of the mental
- human behavior is determined by mental state
- searching for cause of behavior in a persons mental state
- certain actions are attributed to mental states the the person themselves unaware of
- certain processes are governed by a hidden mental state which one can not control
- can only be derived by psychoanalysis
- Instincts - principal motivating force in mental realm
- Eros (the life instinct) - self-preserving and erotic instincts
- Thanatos (the death instinct) - aggression, self-destruction, and cruelty (not sexually motivated)
- Thanatos- irrational urge to destroy the source of all sexual energy in the annihilation of the self
Infantile Sexuality
- part of the theory of 'human personality'
- traumatic childhood events result in negative effects upon the adult individual
- Thesis : 'early childhood sexual experiences were the crucial factors in the determination of the adult personality'
- sexual energy - desire to release mental energy
- different stages: oral, anal, phallic,latent,genital
- Oedipus Complex - attracted to parents of opposite sex & hate for parent of same sex
- when complex's unresolved issues and disorders may arise in adulthood
The Structure of the Mind
- unconsciousness demonstrated by tripartite model
- three structural elements within the mind, which he called id, ego, and super-ego
- id - primitive and instinctive component of personality ; impulsive and unconscious part of personality; Eros & Thanatos; newborn is only ID. Concerned with only satisfaction and no logic. 'primary process thinking'
- ego - 'that part of the id which has been modified by the direct influence of the external world' (Freud 1923). Creates realistic bridge between id and the world. Decision making works around 'reality principle'. Concerned with social expectations and determining consequences. secondary process thinking'
- superego - conscious and ideal self.