5 genius discoveries we owe to Freud

1. Unconscious

Freud brought to light our unconscious and described the structural model of the human psyche. The psychologist divided it into three elements:

Id or It is a completely unconscious component that is governed by instincts. Eid functions according to the principle of immediate satisfaction of all desires and needs.
The ego is a component of personality that is responsible for connecting with reality and functioning on the basis of circumstances. The ego controls Id, including not allowing him to get what he wants right now, as this is unacceptable for various reasons.
The superego develops in the personality of the last and consolidates all moral attitudes received by a person as a result of education. According to Freud, the superego begins to mature at about the age of five and forms socially acceptable behavior.

This model formed the basis for many later attempts to structure the human personality. But before Freud, scientists only considered consciousness. The psychologist was the first to dare to dig deeper and find out where the true essence of man is hidden - Id.

Now psychologists of all directions turn to the unconscious, from which not only problematic issues are extracted, but also hidden resources.

The more flawless a person is on the outside, the more demons he has inside.

Sigmund Freud

2. Stages of psychosexual development of a person

Freud described the stages of personality development through the physiological maturation of a child. In the early years, a person communicates with the world around him in different ways and thus solves his problems. Freud identified five stages:

Oral (0-1, 5 years old). The area of the mouth is closely related to the satisfaction of biological needs and the enjoyment of pleasure. At this time, dependence and trust in other people are formed in a person.
Anal (1, 5–3 years old). The child learns a sense of control - at least over his own intestines. At this time, all forms of self-regulation are formed.
Phallic (3–6 years old). The child examines their genitals, identifies with adults and looks for role models.
Latent (6-12 years). Libido is sublimated into social contacts and other active pastime. It is then that the worldview is sharpened and acquired special strength.
Genital (12-22 years old). A person enters into adult relationships, forms a strategy of behavior in them. And at the same time, he becomes responsible and mature in the social aspect.

The theory of object relations is built on this. If a person experiences at some time traumatic events associated with other people, he will experience them over and over again. Therefore, psychologists often look for a solution to the patient's current problems in his past.

We adults do not understand children, since we no longer understand our own childhood.

Sigmund Freud

3. Oedipus complex

The Oedipus complex in boys and Electra in girls is part of the phallic stage of development. According to Freud, at the age of about four years, the child realizes that, growing up, he cannot claim parental love in full. At the same time, he identifies himself with the parent of his own gender and "falls in love" with the parent of the opposite sex.

In this love triangle, it is difficult for a baby to seek support from an object of love or, conversely, a rival. And he remains alone with himself. It is on how he will survive this period, and will depend on how he will cope with his inner loneliness and problems in the future.

We enter the world alone and alone we leave it.

Sigmund Freud

4. Interpretation of dreams

Another innovation from Freud: it was he who began to consider dreams in a scientific plane. While others considered dreams to be something from the realm of magic, the psychologist determined that this is how our hidden desires are released. Due to the moral attitudes of the Super-Ego and the rationalization of the Ego, not all thoughts can become reality. And they eventually go into the unconscious.

Accordingly, dreams are not just funny or frightening pictures. This is the key to better understanding yourself.

Dreaming is the royal road to the unconscious.

Sigmund Freud

5. Method of free associations

Freud believed that associations can penetrate the unconscious. In this method, the psychologist asks the patient to name the images associated with the original object that pop up in the head. And then look for associations to them. In an improved form, this practice is now present in any direction of psychotherapy.

One day the same people start thinking about the same things in a very different way than before; why they didn't think so before remains a dark secret.

Sigmund Freud