3. Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory on Instincts, Motivation, Personality & Development

Freud's Psychosexual Development

Freud postulates five stages of chronological development that begin in infancy. These stages are oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital. Key developmental tasks are characteristic of each stage. Freud believed the first three stages are the most important. These three stages occur before the age of six and form the foundation for personality development.

Death instincts

Another type of motivational drive described by Freud. Death instincts account for our aggressive tendencies. Freud believed that managing this aggression is a major challenge of human nature.

Three Levels of Consciousness

1. Unconscious mind: Exists outside of your awareness at all times. 2. Preconscious mind: Includes all information that you are not currently aware of but that can be recalled. 3. Conscious mind: Your current state of awareness.

"Superego"

Exists in all three levels of consciousness. The superego is like the little angel. It is always concerned with what is socially acceptable. The superego pushes you to obtain the ego ideal, or your view of what is right. It also represents your conscience, or your view of what is considered to be wrong.

Lesson Summary

Freud's theories, especially his idea of the unconscious mind, have had a lasting impact on the field of psychology. He described three levels of consciousness: the unconscious, the preconscious, and conscious. He also described three parts of the personality. The first part of the personality to develop is the id, the ego develops next, and the superego develops last. These personality components work together to determine behavior. Behavior is motivated by instinct. There are two types of instinct described by Freud: life instincts and death instincts. Freud also formed a developmental theory he called psychosexual development. This theory includes five stages of chronological development.

Life instincts

One motivational drive described by Freud. He uses the term libido, or sexual energy, for life instincts. Life instincts serve the purpose of survival and encourage growth, development, and creativity. Freud considers all pleasurable acts life instincts.

Sigmund Freud

One of the most famous names in psychology. Even though most of his ideas have been abandoned by modern psychology, his psychoanalytic theory formed the basis for many current psychodynamic theories. Freud was the first to discuss the unconscious mind and its role in human behavior.

"Ego"

Operates in your preconscious and conscious mind. The ego is the part of the personality that makes your decisions. It makes the decision, and faces the consequences. It operates according to the reality principle.

"Id"

The biological component of the personality and includes your instincts. It operates in our unconscious mind. It is like the little devil sitting on the cartoon character's shoulder that is always selfish and needy. It operates according to the pleasure principle. The pleasure principle is the idea that all of your needs should be met immediately.

The reality principle

The idea that the desires of the id must be satisfied in a method that is both socially appropriate and realistic. The ego must mediate the demands of the id, the superego, and reality.

Freud's theory of personality

There are three parts to the personality according to Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory. These are the id, superego, and ego. The id is the first to develop, the ego is second, and the superego is the last to develop.