Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTalk TherapyPersonalityPsychePsychosexual DevelopmentDream AnalysisDefense MechanismsFemale PsychologyReligionImpactFrequently Asked Questions
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Table of Contents
Talk Therapy
Personality
Psyche
Psychosexual Development
Dream Analysis
Defense Mechanisms
Female Psychology
Religion
Impact
Frequently Asked Questions
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Knowing more about Freudian psychology, along with the key concepts in psychoanalysis—like the unconscious, fixations,defense mechanisms, anddream symbols—can help you understand the influence Freud’s theories have had oncontemporary psychologists.
1:33Click Play to Learn More About Sigmund Freud’s Theories
1:33
Click Play to Learn More About Sigmund Freud’s Theories
Sigmund Freud’s Theory of Talk Therapy
One of Freud’s greatest contributions to psychology wastalk therapy, the notion that simply talking about problems can help alleviate them. It was through his association with his close friend and colleague Josef Breuer that Freud became aware of a woman known in the case history asAnna O.
The young woman’s real name was Bertha Pappenheim.She became a patient of Breuer’s after suffering a bout of what was then known ashysteria. Symptoms included blurred vision, hallucinations, and partial paralysis.
Breuer observed that discussing her experiences provided some relief from her symptoms. It was Pappenheim herself who began referring to the treatment as the “talking cure.”
While Anna O. is often described as one of Freud’s patients, the two never actually met.Freud often discussed her case with Breuer, however, and the two collaborated on an 1895 book based on her treatment titledStudies in Hysteria.
Freud concluded that her hysteria was the result of childhoodsexual abuse, a view that ended up leading to a rift in Freud and Breuer’s professional and personal relationship. Anna O. may not have actually been Freud’s patient, but her case informed much of Freud’s work and later theories on therapy andpsychoanalysis.
Freud’s Theory of Personality
According to Freud’s theory, there are a few different factors that affect personality. They include cathexis and anticathexis, along with life and death instincts.
Cathexis and Anticathexis
If you are hungry, for example, you might create a mental image of a delicious meal that you have been craving. In other cases, the ego might harness some energy from the id (the primitive mind) to seek out activities related to the desire in order to disperse excess energy from the id.
Sticking with the same example, if you can’t actually seek out food to appease your hunger, you might instead thumb through a cookbook or browse through your favorite recipe blog.
According to Freud’s theory, there is only so much libidinal energy available. When a lot of energy is devoted to suppressing urges via anticathexis, there is less energy for other processes.
Life Instincts and Death Instincts
Sigmund Freud’s Theory of the Psyche
In Freudian theory, the human mind is structured into two main parts: theconscious and unconscious mind.
Freudian psychology compares the mind to an iceberg. The tip of the iceberg that is actually visible above the water represents just a tiny portion of the mind. On the other hand, the huge expanse of ice hidden underneath the water represents the much larger unconscious.
There is some question as to whether the iceberg metaphor came from Freud himself or one of his biographers, as some researchers indicate that there was no mention of an iceberg in Freud’s writings.
In addition to these two main components of the mind, Freudian theory also divides human personality into three major components:the id, ego, and superego.
Reality Principle and Sigmund Freud
Freud’s Theory of Psychosexual Development
Freudian theory suggests that as children develop, they progress through a series ofpsychosexual stages. At each stage, the libido’s pleasure-seeking energy is focused on a different part of the body.
The five stages of psychosexual development are:
The successful completion of each stage leads to a healthy personality as an adult. If, however, a conflict remains unresolved at any particular stage, the individual might remain fixated or stuck at that particular point of development.
Afixationcan involve an over-dependence or obsession with something related to that phase of development. For example, a person with an “oral fixation” is believed to be stuck at the oral stage of development. Signs of an oral fixation might include excessive reliance on oral behaviors such as smoking, biting fingernails, or eating.
Freud’s Theory of Dream Analysis
The unconscious mind played a critical role in all of Freud’s theories, and he considereddreamsto be one of the key ways to take a peek into what lies outside our conscious awareness.
Freud believed the content of dreams could be broken down into two different types:
Freud often utilized the analysis of dreams as a starting point in his free association technique. When working with a client, he would focus on a particular dream symbol, then use free association to see what other thoughts and images immediately came to the client’s mind.
Freud’s Theory of Defense Mechanisms
Even if you’ve never studied Freud’s theories before, you have probably heard the term “defense mechanisms.” When someone seems unwilling to face a painful truth, you might accuse them of being “in denial.” If they try to look for a logical explanation for unacceptable behavior, you might suggest that they are “rationalizing.”
For instance,rationalizations for smokingmight include “one cigarette won’t hurt me” or “if I quit, I’ll just gain weight.”
Denial and rationalization represent different types of defense mechanisms, or tactics that the ego uses to protect itself from anxiety. Some of the best-known mechanisms of defense include denial,repression, andregression, but there are many more.
Freud’s Theory of Female Psychology
Freud’s perspective on womenwas, and continues to be, one of his most controversial. One of his theories relating to female psychology is known as theElectra complex,also sometimes referred to as penis envy.
According to Freud, females start out close to their mothers. But once they realize they don’t have a penis, they start to hate their moms for mutilating them, then become close to their dad. At the same time, females start to imitate their mom because they fear the loss of her affection.
The Electra complex is the opposite of theOedipus complex, which Freud contended is when a male child develops a sexual attachment to his mother, viewing his father as a sexual rival.
Freud’s Theory of Religion
Freud theorized that religious beliefs are essentially delusions, and also that turning away from these types of ideologies is preferable because religion does not lead to happiness and fulfillment; in fact, it is a belief structure not based on evidence.
Freud felt that a person’s religious views were, at least in part, a result of their relationship with their father. He believed that people tend to depict their idea of a “God” based on the qualities and traits of the father figure in their life and that these qualities changed as their relationship with their father changed.
Impact of Freudian Theory
While Freud’s theories have been widely criticized, they are still important because his work has made contributions to psychology as we know it today.
Psychotherapy
When the patient and analyst are well suited to work together, they can see how the patient’s past gets reactivated in their current therapy and much learning takes place.—DR. DEBORAH FRIED, MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDER WITH THE YALE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY
When the patient and analyst are well suited to work together, they can see how the patient’s past gets reactivated in their current therapy and much learning takes place.
—DR. DEBORAH FRIED, MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDER WITH THE YALE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY
Science
Freud’s contributions have also impacted the foundational science of what we know about psychology today. His idea that our thoughts are largely unconscious has withstood scientific scrutiny, for instance, retaining their importance in understanding human development and behavior.
Culture
Freud has even influenced thoughts about how society has formed into what it is today. Some believe that his theories help explain some of the successes of modern society while also explaining some of its failures.
Final Thoughts
To understand where psychology is today, it is essential to take a look at where we’ve been and how we got here. Freud’s work provides insight into an important movement in psychology that helped transform how we think about mental health and how we approachpsychological disorders.
By studying Freud’s theories and those that came after, you gain a better understanding of psychology’s fascinating history. Many terms such asdefense mechanism,Freudian slip,andanal retentivehave become a part of our everyday language. By learning about his work and theories, you can understand how these ideas and concepts became woven into the fabric of popular culture.
Frequently Asked QuestionsAfter starting his career as a doctor at Vienna General Hospital, Freud entered private practice, specializing in the treatment of psychological disorders. It was during this time in private practice that Freud started to develop his theories.These theories were later refined through Freud’s associations with Josef Breuer, a colleague and friend who was treating a patient with hysteria. Based on this case, Freud developed the theory that many neuroses originate from trauma that has transitioned from the conscious mind to the unconscious mind.Learn More:The Life of Sigmund FreudWhile Freud’s psychosexual theory is rooted in basic needs and physiological driving forces, Erikson’s psychosocial theory places more emphasis on one’s environment.Erikson’s and Freud’s theories also vary in terms of stages of development. For instance, the first stage of development according to Freudian theory is the oral stage, while the first stage of development according to Erikson’s theory is trust versus mistrust.Another difference is the length of development, with Freud believing that most development occurs in early childhood and Erikson contending that people continue to develop well into their adult years.Learn More:Comparison of Erikson’s and Freud’s TheoriesFreud’s theory has shaped the field of psychology, both in theory and treatment applications. It has also inspired others in the field to better understand the mind and how it develops, developing their own theories in turn. Without Freud, we might not have talk therapy, which research supports for helping people manage and treat mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.Learn More:Freud’s Theories and Their ImpactFreud’s psychosexual theory is hard to test scientifically, leaving questions about its validity. Another concern is that the theory is based on case studies versus research. Some have issues with Freud’s theory being focused more on male psychosexual development, offering very little insight into females.It also refers to homosexual preferences as a deviation of normal psychosexual development, though many psychologists today feel that sexual orientation is more biological in nature.
After starting his career as a doctor at Vienna General Hospital, Freud entered private practice, specializing in the treatment of psychological disorders. It was during this time in private practice that Freud started to develop his theories.These theories were later refined through Freud’s associations with Josef Breuer, a colleague and friend who was treating a patient with hysteria. Based on this case, Freud developed the theory that many neuroses originate from trauma that has transitioned from the conscious mind to the unconscious mind.Learn More:The Life of Sigmund Freud
After starting his career as a doctor at Vienna General Hospital, Freud entered private practice, specializing in the treatment of psychological disorders. It was during this time in private practice that Freud started to develop his theories.These theories were later refined through Freud’s associations with Josef Breuer, a colleague and friend who was treating a patient with hysteria. Based on this case, Freud developed the theory that many neuroses originate from trauma that has transitioned from the conscious mind to the unconscious mind.
After starting his career as a doctor at Vienna General Hospital, Freud entered private practice, specializing in the treatment of psychological disorders. It was during this time in private practice that Freud started to develop his theories.
These theories were later refined through Freud’s associations with Josef Breuer, a colleague and friend who was treating a patient with hysteria. Based on this case, Freud developed the theory that many neuroses originate from trauma that has transitioned from the conscious mind to the unconscious mind.
Learn More:The Life of Sigmund Freud
While Freud’s psychosexual theory is rooted in basic needs and physiological driving forces, Erikson’s psychosocial theory places more emphasis on one’s environment.Erikson’s and Freud’s theories also vary in terms of stages of development. For instance, the first stage of development according to Freudian theory is the oral stage, while the first stage of development according to Erikson’s theory is trust versus mistrust.Another difference is the length of development, with Freud believing that most development occurs in early childhood and Erikson contending that people continue to develop well into their adult years.Learn More:Comparison of Erikson’s and Freud’s Theories
While Freud’s psychosexual theory is rooted in basic needs and physiological driving forces, Erikson’s psychosocial theory places more emphasis on one’s environment.Erikson’s and Freud’s theories also vary in terms of stages of development. For instance, the first stage of development according to Freudian theory is the oral stage, while the first stage of development according to Erikson’s theory is trust versus mistrust.Another difference is the length of development, with Freud believing that most development occurs in early childhood and Erikson contending that people continue to develop well into their adult years.
While Freud’s psychosexual theory is rooted in basic needs and physiological driving forces, Erikson’s psychosocial theory places more emphasis on one’s environment.
Erikson’s and Freud’s theories also vary in terms of stages of development. For instance, the first stage of development according to Freudian theory is the oral stage, while the first stage of development according to Erikson’s theory is trust versus mistrust.
Another difference is the length of development, with Freud believing that most development occurs in early childhood and Erikson contending that people continue to develop well into their adult years.
Learn More:Comparison of Erikson’s and Freud’s Theories
Freud’s theory has shaped the field of psychology, both in theory and treatment applications. It has also inspired others in the field to better understand the mind and how it develops, developing their own theories in turn. Without Freud, we might not have talk therapy, which research supports for helping people manage and treat mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.Learn More:Freud’s Theories and Their Impact
Freud’s theory has shaped the field of psychology, both in theory and treatment applications. It has also inspired others in the field to better understand the mind and how it develops, developing their own theories in turn. Without Freud, we might not have talk therapy, which research supports for helping people manage and treat mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
Learn More:Freud’s Theories and Their Impact
Freud’s psychosexual theory is hard to test scientifically, leaving questions about its validity. Another concern is that the theory is based on case studies versus research. Some have issues with Freud’s theory being focused more on male psychosexual development, offering very little insight into females.It also refers to homosexual preferences as a deviation of normal psychosexual development, though many psychologists today feel that sexual orientation is more biological in nature.
Freud’s psychosexual theory is hard to test scientifically, leaving questions about its validity. Another concern is that the theory is based on case studies versus research. Some have issues with Freud’s theory being focused more on male psychosexual development, offering very little insight into females.
It also refers to homosexual preferences as a deviation of normal psychosexual development, though many psychologists today feel that sexual orientation is more biological in nature.
16 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hurst LC.What was wrong with Anna O?.J R Soc Med. 1982;75(2):129-131.Launer J.Anna O and the ‘talking cure’.QJM: Int J Med. 2005;98(6):465-466. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hci068Grubin D.Young Dr. Freud. Public Broadcasting Service.McIntosh D.Cathexes and their objects in the thought of Sigmund Freud.J Am Psychoanaly Assoc. 1993;41(3):679-709. doi:10.1177/000306519304100303American Psychological Association.Death instinct.Green C.Where did Freud’s iceberg metaphor of mind come from?.Hist Psychol. 2019;22(4):369-372. doi:10.1037/hop0000135_bLantz S, Ray S.Freud developmental theory. In:StatPearls[Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.Eremie MD, Ubulom WJ.Review of psychoanalytic approach to counseling.Int J Innov Psychol Social Develop. 2016;4(2):22-25.Zhang W, Guo B.Freud’s dream interpretation: A different perspective based on the self-organization theory of dreaming.Front Psychol. 2018;9:1553. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01553Khan M, Haider K.Girls' first love; their fathers: Freudian theory Electra complex.Res J Language Literature Humanities. 2015;2(11):1-4.Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.Sigmund Freud: Religion.Monti F, Tonetti L, Ricci Bitti PE.Comparison of cogntive-behavioural therapy and psychodynamic therapy in the treatment of anxiety among university students: an effectiveness study.Brit J Guid Counsel. 2014;42(3):233-244. doi:10.1080/03069885.2013.878018Gedo JE.The enduring scientific contributions of Sigmund Freud.Perspect Biol Med. 2002;45(2):200-211. doi:10.1353/pbm.2002.0026Library of Congress.Sigmund Freud: Conflict & Culture.Thornton SP.Sigmund Freud (1856-1939).Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.Twomey C, O’Reilly G, Byrne M.Effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety and depression in primary care: a meta-analysis.Fam Pract. 2014;32(1):3-15. doi:10.1093/fampra/cmu060Additional ReadingFreud S.The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud.The Hogarth Press and the Institute of Psycho-Analysis.
16 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hurst LC.What was wrong with Anna O?.J R Soc Med. 1982;75(2):129-131.Launer J.Anna O and the ‘talking cure’.QJM: Int J Med. 2005;98(6):465-466. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hci068Grubin D.Young Dr. Freud. Public Broadcasting Service.McIntosh D.Cathexes and their objects in the thought of Sigmund Freud.J Am Psychoanaly Assoc. 1993;41(3):679-709. doi:10.1177/000306519304100303American Psychological Association.Death instinct.Green C.Where did Freud’s iceberg metaphor of mind come from?.Hist Psychol. 2019;22(4):369-372. doi:10.1037/hop0000135_bLantz S, Ray S.Freud developmental theory. In:StatPearls[Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.Eremie MD, Ubulom WJ.Review of psychoanalytic approach to counseling.Int J Innov Psychol Social Develop. 2016;4(2):22-25.Zhang W, Guo B.Freud’s dream interpretation: A different perspective based on the self-organization theory of dreaming.Front Psychol. 2018;9:1553. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01553Khan M, Haider K.Girls' first love; their fathers: Freudian theory Electra complex.Res J Language Literature Humanities. 2015;2(11):1-4.Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.Sigmund Freud: Religion.Monti F, Tonetti L, Ricci Bitti PE.Comparison of cogntive-behavioural therapy and psychodynamic therapy in the treatment of anxiety among university students: an effectiveness study.Brit J Guid Counsel. 2014;42(3):233-244. doi:10.1080/03069885.2013.878018Gedo JE.The enduring scientific contributions of Sigmund Freud.Perspect Biol Med. 2002;45(2):200-211. doi:10.1353/pbm.2002.0026Library of Congress.Sigmund Freud: Conflict & Culture.Thornton SP.Sigmund Freud (1856-1939).Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.Twomey C, O’Reilly G, Byrne M.Effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety and depression in primary care: a meta-analysis.Fam Pract. 2014;32(1):3-15. doi:10.1093/fampra/cmu060Additional ReadingFreud S.The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud.The Hogarth Press and the Institute of Psycho-Analysis.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Hurst LC.What was wrong with Anna O?.J R Soc Med. 1982;75(2):129-131.Launer J.Anna O and the ‘talking cure’.QJM: Int J Med. 2005;98(6):465-466. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hci068Grubin D.Young Dr. Freud. Public Broadcasting Service.McIntosh D.Cathexes and their objects in the thought of Sigmund Freud.J Am Psychoanaly Assoc. 1993;41(3):679-709. doi:10.1177/000306519304100303American Psychological Association.Death instinct.Green C.Where did Freud’s iceberg metaphor of mind come from?.Hist Psychol. 2019;22(4):369-372. doi:10.1037/hop0000135_bLantz S, Ray S.Freud developmental theory. In:StatPearls[Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.Eremie MD, Ubulom WJ.Review of psychoanalytic approach to counseling.Int J Innov Psychol Social Develop. 2016;4(2):22-25.Zhang W, Guo B.Freud’s dream interpretation: A different perspective based on the self-organization theory of dreaming.Front Psychol. 2018;9:1553. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01553Khan M, Haider K.Girls' first love; their fathers: Freudian theory Electra complex.Res J Language Literature Humanities. 2015;2(11):1-4.Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.Sigmund Freud: Religion.Monti F, Tonetti L, Ricci Bitti PE.Comparison of cogntive-behavioural therapy and psychodynamic therapy in the treatment of anxiety among university students: an effectiveness study.Brit J Guid Counsel. 2014;42(3):233-244. doi:10.1080/03069885.2013.878018Gedo JE.The enduring scientific contributions of Sigmund Freud.Perspect Biol Med. 2002;45(2):200-211. doi:10.1353/pbm.2002.0026Library of Congress.Sigmund Freud: Conflict & Culture.Thornton SP.Sigmund Freud (1856-1939).Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.Twomey C, O’Reilly G, Byrne M.Effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety and depression in primary care: a meta-analysis.Fam Pract. 2014;32(1):3-15. doi:10.1093/fampra/cmu060
Hurst LC.What was wrong with Anna O?.J R Soc Med. 1982;75(2):129-131.
Launer J.Anna O and the ‘talking cure’.QJM: Int J Med. 2005;98(6):465-466. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hci068
Grubin D.Young Dr. Freud. Public Broadcasting Service.
McIntosh D.Cathexes and their objects in the thought of Sigmund Freud.J Am Psychoanaly Assoc. 1993;41(3):679-709. doi:10.1177/000306519304100303
American Psychological Association.Death instinct.
Green C.Where did Freud’s iceberg metaphor of mind come from?.Hist Psychol. 2019;22(4):369-372. doi:10.1037/hop0000135_b
Lantz S, Ray S.Freud developmental theory. In:StatPearls[Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
Eremie MD, Ubulom WJ.Review of psychoanalytic approach to counseling.Int J Innov Psychol Social Develop. 2016;4(2):22-25.
Zhang W, Guo B.Freud’s dream interpretation: A different perspective based on the self-organization theory of dreaming.Front Psychol. 2018;9:1553. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01553
Khan M, Haider K.Girls' first love; their fathers: Freudian theory Electra complex.Res J Language Literature Humanities. 2015;2(11):1-4.
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.Sigmund Freud: Religion.
Monti F, Tonetti L, Ricci Bitti PE.Comparison of cogntive-behavioural therapy and psychodynamic therapy in the treatment of anxiety among university students: an effectiveness study.Brit J Guid Counsel. 2014;42(3):233-244. doi:10.1080/03069885.2013.878018
Gedo JE.The enduring scientific contributions of Sigmund Freud.Perspect Biol Med. 2002;45(2):200-211. doi:10.1353/pbm.2002.0026
Library of Congress.Sigmund Freud: Conflict & Culture.
Thornton SP.Sigmund Freud (1856-1939).Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
Twomey C, O’Reilly G, Byrne M.Effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety and depression in primary care: a meta-analysis.Fam Pract. 2014;32(1):3-15. doi:10.1093/fampra/cmu060
Freud S.The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud.The Hogarth Press and the Institute of Psycho-Analysis.
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