Numerous psychologists from history have influenced our current understanding of psychology. This article will explore three of the most significant figures in psychology: Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud, and Abraham Maslow. Sigmund Freud, born in May 1856 in Austria to Galician Jewish parents, was a neurologist who made several impactful observations; however, this article will focus on his theories related to the conscious and unconscious mind, psychosexual development, dream analysis, and psychoanalytic theory. Freud’s conception of the mind proposed that it consists of three distinct personas: the id, ego, and superego. The id represented hidden desires driven by human instinct, while the superego reflected the obligation to adhere to societal norms and morals. The ego served as a mediator between the two, striving to realistically satisfy both sides. Furthermore, Freud identified that the ego develops during childhood at the age of 3, with the superego forming by age 5 as the final personality. He posited that anxiety, neurosis, and destructive behavior arose from an imbalance among these personalities. Freud’s subsequent theory of psychosexual development was perceived as unsettling and contentious, asserting that an adult’s behavior and personality stem from psychosexual developmental stages throughout childhood. This indicated that a child derives pleasure-seeking impulses from the id at specific body areas known as erogenous zones. The stages include oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital. Freud theorized that problems faced during childhood could resurface and afflict the individual with mental disorders. In his book, The Interpretation of Dreams, Freud argued that dreams originate from the unconscious mind, representing the unfulfilled desires of the id attempting to express themselves in the conscious. The rationale for an unrealistic dream was explained as the fulfillment of inappropriate wishes through symbolism that censored and obscured what is deemed inappropriate. Thus, 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. Like psychosexual development, Freud noted that early experiences significantly shape an adult’s personality, particularly in relation to trauma. He suggested these experiences could be hidden in our consciousness, potentially leading to future issues. Consequently, he formulated psychoanalysis, characterized by the psychoanalytic theory, a verbal therapeutic approach to treat individuals with mental illnesses by probing these unexpressed emotions. Due to his contributions, he is often referred to as the ‘father of psychoanalysis.’
One important notion in psychoanalysis is defense mechanisms, which are unconscious tactics that support the ego, the rational segment of the mind, in alleviating anxiety generated by internal mental conflicts. These conflicts arise between the impulses granted by the id and the moral standards set by the superego, the segment of a person’s mind acting as a self-critical conscience. These internal disputes and the strategies utilized by the ego are considered the motivating factors behind one’s behaviors, as they unveil how an individual subconsciously shields themselves from emotional distress and conflict. Typically, the ego manipulates or channels the thoughts and feelings from the id to align with the superego. Common examples include projecting the impulses of the id onto others, allowing the mind to persuade the superego that they transcend such primal urges. Another defense mechanism is displacement, where a person redirects unacceptable thoughts and emotions, often anger or jealousy, towards an object or individual regarded as an acceptable target for the ego and superego. A different form of projection is sublimation, where one channels their unconscious drives into constructive and ‘healthier’ or more ‘acceptable’ activities. For instance, a surgeon may be sublimating unconscious aggression into performing surgeries aimed at healing.
Freud introduced the concept of an unconscious life “drive” or instinct known as libido, which is believed to energize or support mental processes within the id. This instinct aims to evade emotional or physical pain, basic bodily needs, and other such primal urges. This concept forms the second principal idea of Freudian psychoanalytic theory, which asserts that all human actions are motivated by sexuality; in this context, sexuality encompasses anything that can provide pleasure to an individual. As is true for many components of psychoanalysis pertaining to the unconscious, this instinct faces opposition from the ego or superego, where this tension regulates aspects such as impulse control. For example, an individual with an exaggerated libido coupled with an underdeveloped superego may become incapable of feeling remorse or critically reflecting on the repercussions of their behaviors to pursue their unconscious desires.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a prominent theory explaining human motivations, beginning with basic needs and advancing to more complex concepts. It was created and introduced by American psychologist Abraham Maslow in 1943 and