Sigmund Freud

Sigmund Freud's contributions to psychology were groundbreaking, particularly his elucidation of the unconscious mind. He posited that much of human behaviour stems from hidden desires and conflicts of which we are largely unaware. His belief that much of human behaviour is rooted in unconscious processes, desires, memories, and wishes led him to employ free association and dream analysis during therapy sessions. He believed that encouraging the expression of thoughts and feelings without censorship and inhibitions as a therapeutic technique was vital for personal growth and psychological healing. Freud shed light on the symbolic language of dreams and our deepest psychological motives through free association and dream analysis.

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Central to Freud's theory is the concept of the psyche -- the id, ego, and superego -- which explains the dynamic interplay of instinctual drives and moral constraints in shaping personality. He also proposed a theory of psychosexual development, highlighting the formative influence of early experiences and sexuality on adult behaviour. Freud also introduced the notion of defence mechanisms, such as repression and denial, which the ego employs to manage anxiety by unconsciously distorting reality.

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Freud's exploration of the unconscious mind has an enduring legacy, providing a rich framework for understanding human behaviour. Despite criticisms, his work shaped modern therapy and offered valuable insights into the complexities of the human psyche. His contributions remain foundational in the study of psychology and continue to provoke scholarly inquiry and debate.

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References:

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Freud, S. (1899). The interpretation of dreams. Vienna: Franz Deuticke.

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Freud, S. (1905). Three essays on the theory of sexuality. Vienna: Franz Deuticke.

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Freud, S. (1923). The ego and the id. Vienna: Internationaler Psychoanalytischer Verlag.

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Freud, S. (1936). The problem of anxiety and defense mechanisms. London: Hogarth Press.