Three Contributions to the Theory of Sex

<p>Freud's psychoanalytic theory, inspired by his colleague Josef Breuer, posited that neuroses had their origins in deeply traumatic experiences</p><p> that had occurred in the patient's past. He believed that the original occurrences had been forgotten and hidden from consciousness. </p><p>His treatment was to empower his patients to recall the experience and bring it to consciousness, and in doing so, confront it both </p><p>intellectually and emotionally. He believed one could then discharge it and rid oneself of the neurotic symptoms. Some of Freud's most</p><p> discussed theories included: </p><p><br></p><p>Id, ego and superego: These are the three essential parts of the human personality. The id is the primitive, impulsive and irrational </p><p>unconscious that operates solely on the outcome of pleasure or pain and is responsible for instincts to sex and aggression. The ego is </p><p>the "I" people perceive that evaluates the outside physical and social world and makes plans accordingly. And the superego is the moral</p><p> voice and conscience that guides the ego; violating it results in feelings of guilt and anxiety. Freud believed the superego was mostly </p><p>formed within the first five years of life based on the moral standards of a person's parents; it continued to be influenced into adolescence </p><p>by other role models.</p><p><br></p><p>Psychic energy: Freud postulated that the id was the basic source of psychic energy, or the force that drives all mental processes. I</p><p>n particular he believed that libido, or sexual urges, was a psychic energy that drives all of human actions; the libido was countered </p><p>by thanatos, the death instinct that drives destructive behavior.</p><p><br></p><p>Oedipus complex: Between the ages of three and five, Freud suggested that as a normal part of the development process all kids are</p><p> sexually attracted to the parent of the opposite sex and in competition with the parent of the same sex. The theory is named after</p><p> the Greek legend of Oedipus, who killed his father so he could marry his mother.</p><p><br></p><p>Dream analysis: In his book The Interpretation of Dreams, Freud believed that people dreamed for a reason: to cope with problems the</p><p> mind is struggling with subconsciously and can't deal with consciously. Dreams were fueled by a person's wishes. Freud believed that by </p><p>analyzing our dreams and memories, we can understand them, which can subconsciously influence our current behavior and feelings.</p>