Sigmund Freud's theories and their influence on modern psychology

¶ … Therapies and Influences

In the world of psychology there are number of different thinkers, who have such profound impact, that their ideas have become a part of the core foundation of this field of study. One such person is Sigmund Freud, who is largely credited with helping to provide a basic foundation for modern day psychology. However, to fully understand the impact of his ideas requires: examining how they became such an influence. This will be accomplished through looking at: Freud's theories, how they influenced our culture and how he is viewed in modern times. Together, these different elements will provide the greatest insights, as to overall impact of Freud's ideas on psychology and society.

Freud's Theories

The basic belief of Freud's theories is that everyone's personality is developed, based upon their childhood experiences. This is important, because it would underscore two of the biggest contributions that Freud would make to the world of psychology. Where, he would help to map the human mind and develop the basic foundation, for how various disciplines would take shape. The way the theory worked, is Freud would use a process called free association, to have the patient open up about what thoughts were on their mind. This is where they would openly discuss the various thoughts that would come into their mind, by blurting out words. At which point, the patient is encouraged to begin discussing what feelings and ideas are associated with these thoughts. During this process, is when the patients would tie the same kind of emotional intensity what they experienced. Once this takes place, is when a patient will begin to discover transference. This is where the patient will begin to examine the childhood relationship between: siblings, friends and parents. Where, they would determine hidden levels of conflict that existed deep within the mind. At the heart of Freud's theories was the conflict that existed between the life drive (libido) and the death drive. The life drive is when someone is experiencing desire / emotions tied to a number of activities including: sex, hunger, survival, and thirst. The death drive is when someone is experiencing emotions towards death. At the same time Freud, theorized different ways that the mind is subdivided to include: id, ego and super ego. This is important, because this would paint a total picture of the underlying conflict that exists in the individual. Where, they will experience a number of forces, pulling them in different directions. For the trained mental health professional, their job is to explore these inner conflicts, in order to resolve the different issues. (Houser)

How Freud is Viewed in Modern Times

In modern times, Freud is viewed with increasing amounts of controversy. This is because Freud himself was: known to create controversy when he was alive. With him, calling for people to accept his ideas as fact, those who disagreed with him were: viewed as out of touch with reality or blind to what is happening. This would shape how people would view his ideas in the future. As new forms of psychology developed, these views would create competing fields of study. Over the course of time, this would lead to divisions, as to which thinkers had the most correct analysis of: how the mind can affect behavior. This would cause some to accept Freud's theories as scientific fact, while others would claim that his ideas were just theories. Therefore, his ideas are nothing more than beliefs about what he thinks, about the human mind. A good example of this can be seen with a during a 2004 speech by Fulbright Professor Peter Rudnytsky. Where, he would highlight how the ideas of Freud are theories and then would compare them, with other classic pieces of literature such as: Shakespeare. This is significant, because it shows how the ideas of Freud are: either accepted as fact or thought of as a basic starting point, for understanding the human mind. ("The Dismal Theory of Freud's Psychoanalysis")

Clearly, Freud's theories had a major impact upon the world of psychology and society itself. This is because he would provide a basic foundation for understanding the human mind, by claiming how repressed emotions from previous incidents are affecting our lives. This would have an impact upon the world of psychology, as various mental health professionals would use this, as just one way of being able to understand the mind. In modern times, these ideas are viewed as helping to provide a basic foundation, but not a scientific fact. This is because Freud himself called for everyone, to accept his ideas as fact and would become upset when they were questioned or rejected. As result, this would create a conflict that continues to this day, where a certain group of people will accept his ideas as fact, while others will claim that they are a good starting point. This has caused Freud, to be viewed as someone who presented ideas that would help create a foundation, but were not the only way of analyzing the human mind. Therefore, the ideas of Freud are often viewed, in a controversial light because of the conflict that exists.