Overview

Psychoanalysis is the “talking cure” invented by Sigmund Freud. It focuses on the unconscious mind—the dark, hidden part of the iceberg below the surface.

Core Idea

The core idea is conflict. We are torn between our primal desires (Id) and societal rules (Superego). This conflict creates anxiety, which we hide with Defense Mechanisms.

Formal Definition

A theory of personality and a method of psychotherapy.

  • Id: “I want it now!” (Instincts, Sex, Aggression).
  • Ego: “Let’s work this out.” (Reality principle).
  • Superego: “That’s not nice.” (Morality, Conscience).

Intuition

  • Freudian Slip: You say “sex” instead of “six.” Freud says this isn’t an accident; it reveals your unconscious desire.
  • Dreams: The “royal road to the unconscious.” Your brain acting out forbidden wishes in code.

Examples

  • Oedipus Complex: A child’s unconscious desire for the opposite-sex parent and rivalry with the same-sex parent. (Controversial).
  • Defense Mechanisms:
    • Repression: Pushing bad memories down.
    • Projection: “I’m not angry, you’re angry!”
    • Sublimation: Channeling aggression into sports or art.

Common Misconceptions

  • Misconception: It’s all about sex.
    • Correction: Freud was obsessed with libido, but later analysts (Jung, Adler) focused on other drives (power, meaning).
  • Misconception: It’s scientific.
    • Correction: Popper called it “Pseudoscience” because it’s unfalsifiable. (If you deny your Oedipus complex, that’s just “resistance,” proving you have one!).

Applications

  • Literature/Film: Analyzing characters’ hidden motives (Hamlet).
  • Therapy: Psychodynamic therapy is still popular for deep exploration of patterns.

Criticism and Limitations

  • Sexism: Freud had terrible views on women (“Penis Envy”).
  • Length: Traditional analysis takes years and costs a fortune.

Further Reading

  • The Interpretation of Dreams by Sigmund Freud
  • Freud and Beyond by Mitchell and Black