“From error to error, one discovers the entire truth.”

Sigmund Freud

Called ‘The Master of Psychoanalysis’ , Sigmund Freud was an Austrian Neurologist best known for inventing and developing the technique of psychoanalysis. he deduced 3 theories about the human psyche (personality) ; to sum it up , the theory promotes the ideology that people have thoughts, memories, desires which they are unaware of and that therapy should be used to access the mind’s repressed experiences through talk therapy. But was he correct?

To get a better understanding of Freud, let’s delve a bit deeper into his theories. Freud believed that people developed through a series of phases – the id, the ego and the superego (each developing in a different stage of life) – and that humans had a conscious, an unconscious and a preconscious mind. He found that when some memories were often too frightening for his patients they locked this information away in the unconscious mind.

Freud assumed the ID operated at an unconscious level according to the pleasure principle (gratification from satisfying basic instincts). The id comprises two kinds of biological instincts (or drives) which Freud called Eros and Thanatos.

Eros, or life instinct, helps the individual to survive; it directs life-sustaining activities such as respiration, eating, and sex (Freud, 1925). The energy created by the life instincts is known as libido.

In contrast, Thanatos or death instinct, is viewed as a set of destructive forces present in all human beings (Freud, 1920). When this energy is directed outward onto others, it is expressed as aggression and violence. Freud believed that Eros is stronger than Thanatos, thus enabling people to survive rather than self-destruct.

The ego’s goal is to satisfy the demands of the id in a safe a socially acceptable way. In contrast to the id, the ego follows the reality principle as it operates in both the conscious and unconscious mind.

The superego develops during early childhood and is responsible for ensuring moral standards are followed. The superego operates on the morality principle and motivates us to behave in a socially responsible and acceptable manner.

The basic dilemma of all human existence is that each element of the psychic apparatus makes demands upon us that are incompatible with the other two. Inner conflict is inevitable.

Where does the controversy begin?

Freud believed that children were born with a sexual desire and went though a no. of phases during childhood. If any of these stages were skipped out or not completed properly, they could develop ‘Mental Abnormalities’. He believed that the adult personality was derived from the experiences of one’s childhood.

Freud’s research isn’t believed to be a credible source as they are mostly based on the unconscious mind which is hard to test and thus lacks scientific evidence. his theories fail to realize the ability to change ,i.e, the plasticity of human behaviour.

There are many on the field of psychology who have disagreed with Freud’s theories. Carl Jung an influential psychologist initially held belief in his theories but slowly departed from the believer’s club. Alfred Alder, Karen Horney and Erik Erikson too were vary of Freud’s theory. They have been referred to as Non-Freudians as their belief is more inclined towards the personality developing based on the social and cultural environment surrounding a person rather than focusing on sexual or aggressive motives for behaviour like Freud.