Psychoanalytic Therapy: Sigmund Freud, Essay Example

Abstract

Sigmund Freud founded a psychoanalytic theory that formed a basis for psychoanalytic therapy in which a person’s childhood experiences determines his or her later personality. This therapy is based on the unconscious motivation, insight, biological and instinctual drives.

Historical Context

In late 1800s, Sigmund Freud developed a theoretical basis of psychoanalysis. Freud originally worked as a neurologist for patients with depression and anxiety which were seen as degenerative brain disorders. He applied the usual treatments such as massage, hydrotherapy and stimulation that were common by then in treating his patients. Through the observations he had made on his patients and the recognition that the disorders were of psychological origin, he discovered that the treatments were not useful and thus proposed a new cure of disorders by psychological means. The theory focuses on the exploration of the human nature. Freud’s development of the theory received much of influence from Jean Martin Charcot (his mentor) (Franz &Thomas 1980).

Major Contributors of Psychoanalytic Theory

The Freudian Framework of psychoanalysis theory received many developments and among the major contributors were; Anna Freud (Freud’s daughter), E. H Erikson, H. Kohut and M. Klein. Anna Freud made innovations in the field of mechanisms of defense and ego. She looked at resistance to treatment as a defense mechanism against instinct. Erikson extended Freud’s theory and focused on the entire lifespan, from birth to adult age. He stressed on the psychosocial aspect of development and associated a “virtue” to a related developmental stage. He believed that early childhood experiences had an effect in later life .Unsuccessful solution to a crisis in any developmental stage would lead to a negative quality that could interfere with further development. This can be only manifested psychologically.

Klein was also an important in psychoanalysis development. She emphasized on the pre-oedipal stages and on her writings she focused on issues that are associated with oral and anal stages. According to Corey (2009), “She theorized that these early issues made imprints on later psychic development.” Lastly, Kohut was a central figure of psychoanalysis movement and he focused on self formation as an independent issue in Freud’s structural concepts.

Key Concepts of the Psychoanalysis Theory

The key concepts of this theory include the economic, dynamic, developmental, structural and adaptive components. The economic part of the theory tries to quantify the instinctual power by focusing on psychic energy. The biologically based energy which is always available is invested towards instinctual goals in maximizing the pleasure within an individual. Franz &Thomas (1980) describes dynamic component as dealing with instinctual forces (the Eros and Thenatos). Eros (sexual instincts) is necessary for the creation and sustenance of life. The Thenatos on the other hand represents death and aggression. Both the instincts are the motivating principles of the mental realm since they energize the functions of the mind.

In the developmental component of this theory, we see normal development as a result of a successful completion of the psychosocial stages in the development within an individual otherwise he or she will be fixated. Freud’s model consists of the following five stages: oral, anal stage, phallic, latency stage and lastly the genital stage. The oral stage runs within the first year of psychosexual development and its primary focus is in the mouth, lips or oral cavity. The source of gratification here is through eating or sucking. During the anal stage which occurs between ages one and three years, the child’s source of pleasure is the anal area. The phallic stage focuses on the genitals. Boys suffer from Oedipus while girls suffer from Electra complex. During the latency stage there is loss interest in sexual gratification and in the last stage of the psychosexual development (the genital stage), all the sexual feelings are revived.

Freud addressed the adaptive elements that relates to the outside world. Ego acts in order to balance one’s psyche with reality in order to gain or retain some long term happiness. Lastly, in structural component, personality is viewed to consist of the id, ego and superego. All these three function as a whole rather than as different parts. The id, a source of psychic energy, is aimed at reducing tension and for immediate gratification through the pleasure principle. The ego controls and regulates personality by making realistic and logical thinking through the reality principle. The superego on the other hand concerns itself with a person’s moral code by judging what is right or wrong (Gerald 2008).

Evaluation of the Psychoanalysis Theory

The contributions of this theory in understanding that behavior is motivated by the unconscious thoughts, memories and feelings should be appreciated. The bible describes how the unconscious influences behavior. Proverbs 23:7 states, “As he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Other views of the bible also describe conditions whereby the conscious thoughts of a person, doesn’t reflect reality. The deterministic aspects of psychoanalysis theory are biological and instinctual and therefore it fails to account for free will of man and spiritual nature.

References

Corey G. (2009). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole.

Franz A. &Thomas M. (1980). Psychoanalytic Therapy: Principles and Application. US: University of Nebraska Press.

Gerald C. (2008). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. New York: Wadsworth Publishers.