Sigmund Freud
Janae Voss
"Sigmund Freud figure at Madame Tussauds Vienna" by Luke Rauscher
http://Rauscher, Luke. “CC Search.” Creative Commons, ccsearch.creativecommons.org/photos/c26d24bc-60fa-4497-8da8-1abd8148d074. Accessed 10 Oct. 2019.
Sigmund Freud is well known for his work in psychology, but also made contributions to the field of biology. To better understand Freud’s studies, it is important to start with his childhood. Elizabeth Oakes, writes about Freud’s childhood in the article Freud, Sigmund. Oakes explains that Sigmund Freud was born in May of 1856 to his father’s second family. Freud was the oldest child, but he also had a half-brother who was the same age as his mother, who, not to mention was 20 years younger than his father. Oakes says, “Making sense of this confusing family situation heightened Freud’s intellect and curiosity.” (Oakes, par. 2)
While his childhood may have looked different than some, Sigmund Freud’s family still plays a key role in how he was able to receive an education. Freud’s family struggled financially, but they made his education a priority. Freud was able to attend the University of Vienna in 1873 where he earned his M.D. in 1881. (Oakes par.3)
After graduating college, Freud traveled many paths, but always had his interest in the human brain as the motivation to his studies. The first place he worked was a hospital in Paris. He worked there in order to support his new wife. While working at the hospital, Freud spent most of his time in the nervous diseases department. Freud, at one point, started his own practice as a neuropathologist.(Oakes, par. 5)
An important point in Freud’s career, is known as “The case of Anna O”. Elizabeth Oakes mentions that in 1895, Freud was conducting studies of hysteria.(Oakes par. 5) In the article, What are the most interesting ideas of Sigmund Freud?, by Saul McLeod, the case of Anna O is explained. Anna O. suffered from hysteria, which is, “a condition in which the patient exhibits physical symptoms without an apparent physical cause” (McLeod, par. 7) This case was a significant event in Sigmund Freud’s Life because it led him to many new discoveries. After observing Anna O., Freud was just in the beginning of his study of psychoanalysis. Freud is now known for being the father of psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis is “a method for treating mental illness and also a theory that explains human behavior.”(McLeod, par. 1) Due to the study of Anna O., Freud also came up with the method of free association.(Oakes, par. 5) These studies, led to later studies, where Freud introduced the ego, the conscious, the id, and the unconscious. Freud also is well known for his very important work on the interpretation of dreams. In 1901, Freud created a publication that stated that dreams are a result of the mind’s unconscious experiences and desires. This is considered some of the most important work he completed. (Oakes, par. 6) Sigmund Freud’s work helps scientists in the field of biology understand humans.
Freud and his wife gave birth to 6 children. This may have kept him busy, but his children did not stop him from making significant discoveries in the human brain. (Oakes, par. 8) The studies Freud completed, play a huge role in understanding the human brain. Psychology is the study of the human brain, along with human behavior, which is important in biology. In the article, What are the most interesting ideas of Freud?, McLeod explains Freud’s discoveries on the unconscious mind. From 1900-1905, Freud was working on creating a topographical model. This model would describe what Freud believed to be the structure and function of the human brain. Freud conducted research to prove that there are different levels of consciousness in the human mind. He claimed that the human mind included the consciousness, the subconscious, and the unconscious, which also includes the id.(McLeod, par. 12) McLeod writes that Freud’s studies show that the conscious is the part of the brain where humans have thoughts “that are the focus of our attention now.”(McLeod, par.13) The subconscious consists of all which can be retrieved from memory.(McLeod, par.13) The unconscious is a part of the mind that, according to Freud, controls the reasoning behind why humans do what they do. For example, in 1915, while Freud was conducting psychotherapy, he found his patients would often not want to talk about their most painful memories. Freud called this repression.(McLeod, par. 16)
Repression can be implicated in everyday life because most people try not to think about painful memories too often. Freud wanted people to acknowledge their unconscious thoughts so they could understand why they behave the way they do. Denial, projection, displacement, and regression, are all defense mechanisms that Freud believed people used as well. To further understand the reasoning behind human behavior, Freud goes into explaining the id, the ego, and the superego. For example, the id is said by Freud to be in control of people’s pleasure and instincts.(McLeod, par. 30)
Some people have considered Freud’s studies to be somewhat strange. However, if Freud and I have one thing in common, it’s that we both understand that human beings do what they do for a reason. When I was in high school, one of the main reasons I was so excited to take psychology was so I could better understand the reasonings behind people’s actions. I had noticed that everyone is different in a special way. I also noticed that individuals behaved differently, depending on the type of influences around them in their life. I knew that I am partially the way I am because of events I have been through in my life. Believing that childhood experiences are influential to the type of person someone becomes, is something we both of us would agree on.
Works Cited
http://Mcleod, Saul. “What Are the Most Interesting Ideas of Sigmund Freud?” Study Guides for Psychology Students – Simply Psychology, Simply Psychology, 5 Apr. 2018, www.simplypsychology.org/Sigmund-Freud.html. Accessed 29 Sept. 2019
http://Oakes, Elizabeth H. “Freud, Sigmund.” Encyclopedia of World Scientists, Revised Edition, Facts On File, 2007. Science Online, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=11992&itemid=WE40&articleId=297949. Accessed 29 Sept. 2019.
