Psychoanalysis: Freud's theory

• Analysis of basic concepts and principles of major social science ideas

Psychoanalysis

• Psychological theory and therapeutic approach developed by Sigmund Freud
• Focuses on exploring unconscious thoughts, desires, and past experiences to understand and treat mental disorders

Three Levels of Mind

• Conscious is what one is actively thinking about at any given moment
• Preconscious is not in immediate awareness but can be easily brought to consciousness
• Unconscious operates without conscious awareness, influencing thoughts, emotions, and behaviors

Components of Personality

• Id(pleasure) refers to primitive and instinctual desires like pleasure, aggression, and hunger
• Ego(reality) makes rational decisions, balances the id and reality
• Superego(morality) has moral values and internalized societal norms

Rational Choice

• Decision-making is based on self-interest and rational calculation which is logical and strategic
• Individuals make decisions by weighing costs and benefits to maximize their self-interest
• Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) is a decision-making process where individuals, businesses, and governments weigh the costs and benefits of an action before deciding

Cost

• Money, Time, Effort and risks

Benefit

• Profit, convenience, happiness, and efficiency

Institutionalism

• Institutions, like rules, norms, and structures, are important in shaping human behavior, social order, and decision-making
• Education Systems like schools and universities shapes knowledge and skills based on institutional rules

Government & Politics

• democratic institutions (elections, courts) enforce political order

Religious Organizations

• religious traditions shape social norms and behaviors

Types of Institutions

• Formal institutions are established, structured, and enforceable through laws, regulations, and formal policies
• Informal institutions are social norms, customs, and traditions that influence behavior but are not legally enforced

Feminist Theory

• Framework that analyzes gender inequality, power structures, and social norms that shape the experiences of women and marginalized genders
• The main focus is gender inequalities and the social structures that perpetuate them

Core Principles of Feminist Theory

• Equality means men, women, and non-binary people should have equal rights and opportunities in all aspects of society
• Equity recognizes different groups face unique challenges and need tailored solutions, not just equal treatment
• Justice seeks to eliminate systemic barriers that limit gender equality
• Inclusion emphasizes diversity by considering race, class, disability, and sexuality in feminist struggles
• Critique of Power Structures analyzes how institutions maintain male dominance and social inequality
• Agency & Choice means every individual has the right to make decisions about their own life without coercion

Issues Addressed by Feminist Theory

• Gender Inequality
• Patriarchy & Power Structures
• Workplace Discrimination & Wage Gap
• Reproductive Rights & Body Autonomy
• Violence Against Women & Gender-Based Violence
• Intersectionality & Multiple Forms of Oppression
• Education & Access to Opportunities

Hermeneutical Phenomenology

• Hermeneutics (Interpretation) is where meaning is constructed through interpretation, influenced by history, culture, and language
• Phenomenology (Lived Experience) emphasizes the subjective experiences of individuals
• A philosophical approach focuses on interpreting and understanding human experiences rather than just describing them
• Education is where a teacher interprets students' struggles based on their backgrounds, emotions, and learning styles rather than just test scores
• Healthcare is where a doctor examines a patients' illness not just medically but by considering their personal and emotional experience

Human-Environment Systems

• Dynamic relationship between humans and their environment
• How people interact with, modify, and depend on ecosystems, while also being affected by environmental changes
• Human systems are the social, economic, and political structures that govern human activities
• Environment systems include natural processes and ecosystems that sustain life
• Laws play a crucial role in regulating the interaction between human and environmental systems, ensuring sustainable resource use, environmental protection, and the well-being of future generations