Introduction
His supporters regard Sigmund Freud as the father of psychology. Freud claimed in the early twentieth century that individual personality and drive are created by conscious and subconscious factors that are heavily impacted by childhood events. Freud believed that other psychologists could solve human dysfunctions through psychoanalysis. The psychodynamic approach was named after the way of uncovering the psychological forces impacting human functioning and personality. Many of Freud's theories are considered repulsive in the present society. However, Sigmund Freud's views were extremely influential. A sample of Freud's theory includes those that focus on a conscious and unconscious mind which he believed behaviour and personality are derived from the constant interaction of the psychological forces. The forces are operating at different levels of awareness. His significant works focused on preconscious, unconscious and conscious mind (Saul, 2007). Some of his theories are also based on psychosexual stages of human life.
Freud's Influence
Freud pioneered some issues that were incredible. However, he couldn't do them all by himself. He suggested an account of therapy which may be viewed incorrect or lacking effectiveness, there was no record of such a revolutionary framework that was involved with the study of human preoccupations. Neither was there a framework studying human taboos or their relationships with others. Freud's study tended to discuss literature by adequately psychoanalyzing the authors and their characters. The work of other psychologists like Kristeva could not have been a success without Freud.
Understanding the Human Psyche
Freud came up with a fundamental understanding of the human psyche where he focused on the knowledge of conscious and unconscious mind before developing the three ideas of human psyche: id, ego and superego (Sigmund, 1939). He came up with sexist theory since he lived in time considered to be masculine dominated and sexually repressive. His theory stands to be criticised by academia since they exhibit misplaced quantification of movement towards human experience. Freud in his theories focused on conflict and psychic forces and thing that were beyond human reach except the person undergoing the experience.
Freud's Impact
He is a true father of psychology and empirics since I think he physically approached people and recorded their responses before documenting them. The impacts of Freud's theory are still seen in propaganda and advertising industries. Advertisers make use of the unconscious drives and principles of motivation in convincing their clients to buy items while at the same time; the theory mocks unconsciousness and psychic energy.
Freud's Contribution to Psychotherapy
In my opinion, the most significant opinion by Sigmund Freud was that he further developed Joseph Braurer. He developed a talking cure which consists of all kinds of psychotherapy in the modern world. Some of the examples include cognitive behavioural therapy, commitment therapy and schema therapy. The therapies are useful in remedying mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety and fear.
Criticism and Modern Perspectives
In my view, Sigmund Freud did not score everything right, but what he achieved so far is outlining the universal principles of mental functioning in humans (Saul, 2007). Freud is not very popular in certain sectors of both clinical and academia. For instance, he did not wholly contribute to the development of psychotherapy. At the moment, there is the good amount paid for psychoanalysis. For those who do not understand points communicated by Freud, it's worth wondering there is psychoanalysis in the modern day. It is therefore important to read his writings in chronological order to understand the evolution of his thinking.
Freud's Arrogance and Limitations
On Freud's arrogance, many people disagree with his forceful personality. Conversely, when introduced the state of psychology was at a lower point. Insights provided by Freud were so advanced and were viewed in a manner likely to be the truth. In the early period, it did not matter that that Freud's work lacked scientific inquiries. As time advanced, other theories emerged. I must agree to the fact the Freud's theories failed to explain the psychological mysteries of human life. Instead, psychoanalysis offered to understand the function of human mind and personality. Theorists like Maslow and Rogers came up with models trying to solve mysteries of life. While considering the Freudian approach, a patient seeking to treat a moderate non-psychotic condition is not a candidate for the theory. Freud's theory is criticised for not being a cognitive-based approach. The approaches also depend on time and cost constraints.
Freud's Sexism and Alternative Theories
In my opinion, Freud was a potential sexist. The idea of sexism normally flows between the genders. Men are sexists in a similar manner to women. Given the culture of Freud, and the way of his days, it's easy to think of him as a sexist. The charges for Freud's sexism are due to the development of Oedipus complex, and it shows several opinions of his opinions.
Evaluating Freud's Theories
There are several developments of theories explaining the human personality and Freud is not only the valid theorist. It does not mean that his theories should be rejected out of hand by interpretations of impacts on an individual. The rejection should be done by solid scientific stand rather than blindly accepting the points.
References
Saul McLeod. (2007). Psychodynamic Approach. Retrieved on 16 Oct, 2017
from https://www.simplypsychology.org/psychodynamic.html
Sigmund Freud (1939). The Psychodynamic Approach. Retrieved on 16 Oct,
2017 http://www.loreto.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/Psychodynamic-PPT.pdf
