{"id":1162,"date":"2023-03-31T17:37:19","date_gmt":"2023-03-31T17:37:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/chapter\/freud-and-the-psychodynamic-perspective\/"},"modified":"2026-01-07T19:43:04","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T19:43:04","slug":"freud-and-the-psychodynamic-perspective","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/chapter\/freud-and-the-psychodynamic-perspective\/","title":{"raw":"Psychodynamic Approaches to Personality: Learn It 2\u2014Freud and the Psychodynamic Perspective","rendered":"Psychodynamic Approaches to Personality: Learn It 2\u2014Freud and the Psychodynamic Perspective"},"content":{"raw":"

Sigmund Freud and the Unconscious<\/h2>\r\n

Sigmund Freud (1856\u20131939) is one of the most famous\u2014and most debated\u2014figures in psychology. One helpful context: Freud trained as a physician and neurologist at a time when \u201cpsychology\u201d was not yet a modern academic profession. Even though many of his specific explanations are criticized today, Freud\u2019s lasting influence is that he pushed scientists and clinicians to take unconscious<\/strong> mental processes seriously.<\/p>\r\n

\r\n

A Case That Shaped \u201cTalk Therapy\u201d<\/h3>\r\n

Early in his career, Freud worked with Josef Breuer, a Viennese physician. Breuer treated Bertha Pappenheim (referred to in published writing by the pseudonym Anna O.<\/em>) for distressing symptoms that included paralysis-like episodes, headaches, vision changes, memory problems, and hallucinations (Launer, 2005). Breuer reported that when she was able to describe upsetting experiences and emotions out loud, her symptoms sometimes improved. Pappenheim reportedly called this the \u201ctalking cure\u201d (Launer, 2005).<\/p>\r\n

Freud never met Pappenheim, but her case strongly influenced his thinking and contributed to Studies on Hysteria<\/em> (1895), which he co-authored with Breuer. Based on Breuer\u2019s description of Anna O.\u2019s treatment, Freud concluded that hysteria was the result of sexual abuse in childhood and that these traumatic experiences had been hidden from consciousness. Breuer disagreed with Freud, which soon ended their work together. However, Freud continued to work to refine talk therapy and build his theory on personality. Notably, after her illness, Bertha Pappenheim became an influential social worker and advocate, particularly in her work supporting women and children.
\r\n
\r\nIn Freud\u2019s era, many unexplained psychological symptoms were labeled hysteria<\/em>\u2014a term now widely recognized as shaped by sexist assumptions about women\u2019s bodies and emotions (Illis, 2002). Today, modern diagnostic language has shifted. For example, the current DSM-5-TR description of what might be called \"hysteria\" is Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (with \u201cconversion disorder\u201d in parentheses).<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n

Levels of Consciousness<\/h2>\r\n
\r\n

Freud used an iceberg metaphor to explain mental life: a small portion is conscious (what you are aware of right now), while a much larger portion is outside awareness. Freud called this larger portion the unconscious<\/strong> (Freud, 1923).<\/p>\r\n

Modern psychology still supports the basic idea that mental processes can shape behavior without<\/em> conscious awareness\u2014though researchers explain this using cognitive and neuroscience frameworks (for example, automatic attention, memory, and emotion processes).<\/p>\r\n

Freud argued that some thoughts, urges, or memories are kept out of awareness through repression<\/strong>. In his view, repression protects the person from distress in the short term, but it can also create psychological tension that shows up in symptoms.<\/p>\r\n

\u201cFreudian Slips\u201d<\/h3>\r\n

Freud suggested that slips of the tongue (sometimes called \u201cFreudian slips\u201d) reveal hidden, often sexual or aggressive, unconscious urges. Today, most psychologists are more cautious: speech errors are common and often increase when people are tired, stressed, distracted, or juggling a lot mentally\u2014conditions that make language production more error-prone (Motley, 2002). In other words, a slip might<\/em> be meaningful, but it does not automatically prove a repressed desire.<\/p>\r\n

\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"345\"]\"The Figure 1<\/strong>. Freud believed that we are only aware of a small amount of our mind\u2019s activities and that most of it remains hidden from us in our unconscious. The information in our unconscious affects our behavior, although we are unaware of it.[\/caption]\r\n<\/figure>\r\n
\r\n

id, ego, and superego<\/h3>\r\n

Freud proposed that personality reflects an ongoing conflict between basic drives and internalized social rules. To explain that conflict, he described three interacting systems:<\/p>\r\n

    \r\n\t
  • \r\n

    id<\/strong>: the most primitive part of personality, present from birth. It contains basic drives (such as hunger, thirst, and sex) and follows the pleasure principle<\/strong>, pushing for immediate gratification.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t

  • \r\n

    superego<\/strong>: develops through socialization. It represents internalized rules about right and wrong\u2014like a conscience. It aims for perfection and can create pride or guilt.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t

  • \r\n

    ego<\/strong>: the rational, reality-oriented system that tries to balance the id and superego. The ego follows the reality principle<\/strong>, helping a person meet needs in realistic, socially acceptable ways.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    \"A
    \r\nFigure 2<\/strong>. The job of the ego, or self, is to balance the aggressive\/pleasure-seeking drives of the id with the moral control of the superego.<\/figure>\r\n<\/section>\r\n

    Balancing the system<\/h3>\r\n

    Freud argued that psychological health depends on a strong ego<\/strong> that can balance competing demands:<\/p>\r\n

      \r\n\t
    • If the id<\/strong> dominates, a person may act impulsively and ignore consequences.<\/li>\r\n\t
    • If the superego<\/strong> dominates, a person may become overly guilt-driven or rigid.<\/li>\r\n\t
    • If the ego<\/strong> becomes overly defensive or overcontrolled, a person may rely heavily on psychological \u201cworkarounds\u201d (defense mechanisms) instead of addressing emotional needs directly.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

      Freud used the term neurosis<\/em> to describe patterns of distress and anxiety that can emerge when this system is out of balance.<\/p>\r\n

      [ohm2_question height=\"650\"]4383[\/ohm2_question]<\/section>\r\n<\/section>","rendered":"

      Sigmund Freud and the Unconscious<\/h2>\n

      Sigmund Freud (1856\u20131939) is one of the most famous\u2014and most debated\u2014figures in psychology. One helpful context: Freud trained as a physician and neurologist at a time when \u201cpsychology\u201d was not yet a modern academic profession. Even though many of his specific explanations are criticized today, Freud\u2019s lasting influence is that he pushed scientists and clinicians to take unconscious<\/strong> mental processes seriously.<\/p>\n

      \n

      A Case That Shaped \u201cTalk Therapy\u201d<\/h3>\n

      Early in his career, Freud worked with Josef Breuer, a Viennese physician. Breuer treated Bertha Pappenheim (referred to in published writing by the pseudonym Anna O.<\/em>) for distressing symptoms that included paralysis-like episodes, headaches, vision changes, memory problems, and hallucinations (Launer, 2005). Breuer reported that when she was able to describe upsetting experiences and emotions out loud, her symptoms sometimes improved. Pappenheim reportedly called this the \u201ctalking cure\u201d (Launer, 2005).<\/p>\n

      Freud never met Pappenheim, but her case strongly influenced his thinking and contributed to Studies on Hysteria<\/em> (1895), which he co-authored with Breuer. Based on Breuer\u2019s description of Anna O.\u2019s treatment, Freud concluded that hysteria was the result of sexual abuse in childhood and that these traumatic experiences had been hidden from consciousness. Breuer disagreed with Freud, which soon ended their work together. However, Freud continued to work to refine talk therapy and build his theory on personality. Notably, after her illness, Bertha Pappenheim became an influential social worker and advocate, particularly in her work supporting women and children.<\/p>\n

      In Freud\u2019s era, many unexplained psychological symptoms were labeled hysteria<\/em>\u2014a term now widely recognized as shaped by sexist assumptions about women\u2019s bodies and emotions (Illis, 2002). Today, modern diagnostic language has shifted. For example, the current DSM-5-TR description of what might be called “hysteria” is Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (with \u201cconversion disorder\u201d in parentheses).<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

      Levels of Consciousness<\/h2>\n
      \n

      Freud used an iceberg metaphor to explain mental life: a small portion is conscious (what you are aware of right now), while a much larger portion is outside awareness. Freud called this larger portion the unconscious<\/strong> (Freud, 1923).<\/p>\n

      Modern psychology still supports the basic idea that mental processes can shape behavior without<\/em> conscious awareness\u2014though researchers explain this using cognitive and neuroscience frameworks (for example, automatic attention, memory, and emotion processes).<\/p>\n

      Freud argued that some thoughts, urges, or memories are kept out of awareness through repression<\/strong>. In his view, repression protects the person from distress in the short term, but it can also create psychological tension that shows up in symptoms.<\/p>\n

      \u201cFreudian Slips\u201d<\/h3>\n

      Freud suggested that slips of the tongue (sometimes called \u201cFreudian slips\u201d) reveal hidden, often sexual or aggressive, unconscious urges. Today, most psychologists are more cautious: speech errors are common and often increase when people are tired, stressed, distracted, or juggling a lot mentally\u2014conditions that make language production more error-prone (Motley, 2002). In other words, a slip might<\/em> be meaningful, but it does not automatically prove a repressed desire.<\/p>\n

      \n
      \"The
      Figure 1<\/strong>. Freud believed that we are only aware of a small amount of our mind\u2019s activities and that most of it remains hidden from us in our unconscious. The information in our unconscious affects our behavior, although we are unaware of it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n
      \n

      id, ego, and superego<\/h3>\n

      Freud proposed that personality reflects an ongoing conflict between basic drives and internalized social rules. To explain that conflict, he described three interacting systems:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n

        id<\/strong>: the most primitive part of personality, present from birth. It contains basic drives (such as hunger, thirst, and sex) and follows the pleasure principle<\/strong>, pushing for immediate gratification.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        superego<\/strong>: develops through socialization. It represents internalized rules about right and wrong\u2014like a conscience. It aims for perfection and can create pride or guilt.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        ego<\/strong>: the rational, reality-oriented system that tries to balance the id and superego. The ego follows the reality principle<\/strong>, helping a person meet needs in realistic, socially acceptable ways.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        \"A
        \nFigure 2<\/strong>. The job of the ego, or self, is to balance the aggressive\/pleasure-seeking drives of the id with the moral control of the superego.<\/figure>\n<\/section>\n

        Balancing the system<\/h3>\n

        Freud argued that psychological health depends on a strong ego<\/strong> that can balance competing demands:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • If the id<\/strong> dominates, a person may act impulsively and ignore consequences.<\/li>\n
        • If the superego<\/strong> dominates, a person may become overly guilt-driven or rigid.<\/li>\n
        • If the ego<\/strong> becomes overly defensive or overcontrolled, a person may rely heavily on psychological \u201cworkarounds\u201d (defense mechanisms) instead of addressing emotional needs directly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Freud used the term neurosis<\/em> to describe patterns of distress and anxiety that can emerge when this system is out of balance.<\/p>\n