Numerous psychologists from history have significantly influenced our understanding of psychology in contemporary times. This article will explore three of the most pivotal psychologists: Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud, and Abraham Maslow. Sigmund Freud was born in May 1856 in Austria to Galician Jewish parents. He was a neurologist who made many significant discoveries, but those discussed in this article will primarily focus on his theories surrounding the conscious and unconscious mind, psychosexual development, dream analysis, and psychoanalytic theory. Freud proposed that the mind comprised three distinct personalities: the id, ego, and superego. The id represented repressed desires driven by primal instincts, whereas the superego embodied the adherence to societal norms and ethics. The ego functioned as a mediator between the two, striving to realistically satisfy both. Furthermore, Freud observed that the ego formed around the age of 3, and the superego emerged at age 5 as the final personality constituent. He believed that an imbalance among these personalities could lead to anxiety, neurosis, and detrimental behavior. Freud’s subsequent theory on psychosexual development was viewed as uncomfortable and contentious, positing that an adult’s behavior and personality originated from psychosexual stages of growth during childhood. This indicated that a child would seek pleasure-driven urges from the id focused on specific body areas known as erogenous zones. These stages consisted of the oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital phases. Freud theorized that issues experienced in childhood could resurface and afflict the individual with mental disorders. In Freud’s work: The Interpretation of Dreams, he asserted that dreams emerge from the unconscious mind, signifying the id’s unsatisfied desires attempting to penetrate the conscious mind. He suggested that the purpose behind unrealistic dreams was to fulfill inappropriate wishes, utilizing symbolism to obscure and disguise what is considered unsuitable. Consequently, Freud devised various techniques to interpret and comprehend dreams. These techniques included condensation, displacement, representation, and secondary revision. Finally, the psychoanalytic theory elaborated on human behavior. In line with psychosexual development, Freud acknowledged that early childhood experiences shape adult personality, particularly regarding trauma. He theorized that these experiences could be hidden in our consciousness, potentially leading to future complications. As a result, he introduced psychoanalysis, reflected in the psychoanalytic theory, as a verbal therapy method for treating patients with mental issues by delving into these unexpressed emotions. Due to his contributions, he is recognized as the ‘father of psychoanalysis’.
A pivotal concept in psychoanalysis is defense mechanisms, which are unconscious tactics that support one’s ego, the rational component of the mind, in alleviating anxiety stemming from internal mental conflicts. These internal disputes occur between the impulses represented by the id and the moral standards of the superego, the segment of an individual’s mind that serves as a self-critical moral compass. These internal struggles and the strategies employed by the ego are said to drive one’s behaviors, as they reveal how a person subconsciously shields themselves from emotional distress and conflict. Typically, the ego modifies or redirects the thoughts and emotions generated by the id to conform to the superego. Common examples include projecting the id’s impulses onto others, allowing the mind to persuade the superego that they are above such primitive urges. Another defense mechanism is displacement, wherein an individual shifts unacceptable thoughts and feelings, often anger or jealousy, toward an object or person perceived as an acceptable target for the ego/superego. An alternative variety of projection is sublimation, where an individual channels their unconscious urges into constructive and more socially acceptable activities. For instance, a surgeon might be sublimating hidden aggression into performing surgeries that aim to heal individuals.
Freud introduced the concept of an unconscious life force or instinct known as libido, which was believed to energize or support the mental functions in the id. This instinct strives to evade emotional or physical pain, fulfill basic physical needs, and satisfy other intrinsic urges. This instinct constitutes the second fundamental principle of Freudian psychoanalytic theory, which posits that all human behavior is driven by sexuality; in this context, sexuality encompasses anything that can provide pleasure. As is the case for many dimensions of psychoanalysis regarding the unconscious, this instinct encounters opposition from the ego or superego, where this conflict influences aspects such as impulse control. For instance, an individual with a heightened libido and a poorly developed superego may exhibit a lack of remorse or critical awareness concerning the consequences of their actions in pursuit of their unconscious desires.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a renowned theory that elucidates the motivations of individuals, commencing with fundamental needs.