Freud's Theory of the Self

Sigmund Freud and the Self

• Founder of psychoanalysis, significantly contributed to psychology as an Austrian neurologist.
• The concept of the self is a dynamic structure involving the interplay of three components: Id, Ego, and Superego.

Components of Human Psyche

• Id

  • Represents the primal, unconscious impulses.
  • Operates on the pleasure principle without considering reality or morality.

• Ego

  • The rational, conscious part of the self.
  • Mediates between the Id's desires and real-world constraints.

• Superego

  • Acts as the moral conscience.
  • Guides the Ego to align actions with societal and ethical standards.

Freud's View of the Self

• The self is depicted as a battleground of conflicting desires.
• Development occurs through a series of psychosexual stages: oral, anal, phallic, latent, and genital.
• The Ego employs defense mechanisms to cope with anxiety, including repression, denial, and projection.

Psychosexual Development Stages

• Oral Stage (0-1 years)

  • Focus on the mouth, with activities like sucking and biting.
  • Conflict related to weaning can lead to fixation, resulting in issues around dependency.

• Anal Stage (1-3 years)

  • Focus on bowel and bladder control.
  • Conflict arises from toilet training; fixation may lead to cleanliness obsessions or messiness.

• Phallic Stage (3-6 years)

  • Focus on genitals; children develop attractions toward parents (Oedipus or Electra complex).
  • Successful resolution fosters identification with the same-sex parent.

• Latency Stage (6 years to puberty)

  • Sexual feelings are dormant; focus on social skills and hobbies.
  • No specific conflict, leading to the development of self-confidence and communication skills.

• Genital Stage (puberty onward)

  • Focus on mature sexual intimacy; conflict revolves around forming healthy relationships.
  • Successful resolution allows for well-balanced relationships, while earlier unresolved conflicts can create difficulties.

Key Concepts

• Fixation: Inability to move past a psychosexual stage leading to personality issues.
• Oedipus/Electra Complex: Unconscious sexual desire for the opposite-sex parent and rivalry with the same-sex parent.
• Libido: The sexual energy driving behaviors through the stages of development.

Defense Mechanisms

• Psychological strategies used by the Ego to manage anxiety:
  • Repression: Unconscious blocking of painful memories or feelings.
  • Denial: Refusing to accept reality or facts.
  • Projection: Attributing one’s unacceptable thoughts or feelings to someone else.
  • Displacement: Redirecting emotions from the source to a substitute target.
  • Rationalization: Creating excuses for behaviors driven by irrational desires.
  • Regression: Reverting to earlier developmental behaviors in response to stress.
  • Sublimation: Channeling unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable activities.
  • Introjection: Adopting positive qualities from others into one's ego.

Carl Jung and Archetypes

• Introduced the concept of archetypes in analytical psychology, emphasizing the collective unconscious.

Major Archetypes Identified by Jung

• The Self: Represents the unification of conscious and unconscious aspects, symbolizing the quest for wholeness.
• The Shadow: Contains the darker, unacknowledged parts of personality; confronting it is vital for growth.
• The Anima/Animus: The feminine aspect in men and the masculine aspect in women, influencing relationships.
• The Persona: The social mask an individual presents to the world; over-identification can lead to disconnection from the true self.

Erik Erikson's Psychosocial Development Theory

• Focuses on social and cultural influences on human development through eight key stages:
  • Trust vs. Mistrust (0-1.5 years): Dependence on caregivers for needs.
  • Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (1.5-3 years): Exploration and growing independence.
  • Initiative vs. Guilt (3-6 years): Assertion of self through play and social engagement.