moodle.esc.edu Let\'s talk about Freud: Give a brief synopsis of one of Freud\'s
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moodle.esc.edu Let's talk about Freud: Give a brief synopsis of one of Freud's theories (i.e. id/ego/superego, the sexual basis of development, or the 'death wish') and cite your source(s) In what ways does this theory present a helpful and valid description of developmental processes? · . In what ways has Freud's theory been shown to be invalid? On what basis? Subsequent developmental research? Neurological research? . What is the source of evidence for your opinions? Post your own response and comment on the response of at least one other personExplanation / Answer
Freud has been considered as a seminal influence in the orb of psychology for an immense amount of time, but the freudian paradigm has long since been a target of severe scrutiny as well, and, hence, has been claimed to be debunked by many scholars within this domain.
Many people have always proceeded to hate Freud without having an in depth nuanced analysis of his work: thus, not making an informed decision about his work. Hating Freud has been the new cool.
The Freudian theory has also been compared by juxtaposing his work alongside the work and theories of another great influence in the field, Freuds earlier colleague and later nemesis: Carl G Jung.
There is a general understanding amongst various researchers and psychologists alike that Freud had been, for a large chunk of his career, obsessed with the sexual queues of humans, and that he had solely been capitalizing on that particular aspect of human behavior - which consists of a multitude of other components.
One of his most known theories is the Oedipus and Complex:
Putting it simply, the theory speak about young boys having or developing sexual attraction for their respective mothers (Oedipus Complex), which leads the child in question to develop animosity towards the parent of the same sex (Father in this context); as there is a sense of competition for the affection of the concerned parent. And, the same context being adhered for the other sex, the girl developing sexual attraction towards her father (Electra Complex - later introduced by Carl G Jung). This stage was considered to be an important stage in the psychosexual development of an individual. And, according to Freud, the successful circumvention of these obstacles would signify lower levels of anxiety and prevent its spill over in adulthood in the from of neurosis.
The Super Ego, one of Freuds other coined terms, is something Freud thought aided an infant to circumvent the experience of lust for parent of the opposite sex.
Super Ego is that which consists of the values and morals inculcated within a child by either his parents, society or both. The Super ego is one of the main components that help demarcate desires in an individual i.e. it keeps the primitive drives and instincts of th ID at bay. ID primarily works on the function of satiating the primitive whims that chiefly include sexual aggression and desire. The Super Ego develops during the phallic stage (3rd stage in psychosexual development). There are two parts to the Super Ego: The conscience, which can induce feelings of remorse and guilt. The ideal self. which contains an individuals idea of self/ the portrayal of self to society.
Although this behavior (Oedipus complex) is only characteristic in the infantile stages, that is, from age 3 to 5/6 (The Phallic Stage) till the super ego intervenes.
Under this theory Freud laid down numerous apparent important concepts such as:
Castration anxiety, Phallic stage fixation, Phallus Envy, Repression etc.
But a lack of empirical evidence for the aforementioned theory has not done much to save it from being swept under the carpet. The only one case study that is often thought of in relation to the Oedipus complex was the one conducted by Freud called 'Little Hans.'
A plethora of psychoanalysts do disagree with Freudian theory of Oedipus complex, and consider it to be long defunct; but one has to understand that the various stages of development that he spoke of by interdiggitating it along with the concept of ego (ID, Ego, Super Ego) - he had been able to tackle numerous important variants of human behavior.
Psychology is a field that revels in empirical data and empirical analysis, which involves verification and retesting and reiteration of various facts and experiments by conducting them repeatedly in order to obtain a full fledged and well rounded theory without the presence of loopholes. Keeping everything else aside, the biggest drawback that was posthumously experienced by Freud was his inability to provide, and hence back his theories with sufficient empirical data. An important aspect that an entire domain thrives on, was very conveniently absent from Freuds edifice.
Although, one of Freuds theory does play an important role in therapy sessions used worldwide, which is psychoanalysis. He navigate the conduit of psychoanalysis by the concept of the unconscious; even though this term meets conflict yet gain. Freud has been blamed for plagiarizing the work of Pierre Janet who was originally known to have coined the term 'The Unconscious,' but there is a series of conflicting literature available where a few sources cite Freud being the one who took the concept and wrote prolifically about it, hence giving the term the importance and understanding it currently has; but there is also literature claiming for it to have been solely Pierre Janets work and efforts.
No theory in psychology can ever truly be completely debunked. It can definitely be considered weak or a few aspects of the theory, if not all, can be considered flawed, but it can't be discarded completely - as is the case with Freud. It can always be researched upon further and aid one in coming to novel conclusions, which can help psychology, as a discipline, prosper.
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