My Free Association According to the Theories of Freud Essay Example

These disorders may be caused by the repression of traumatic memories, making them inaccessible to one's conscious self. Repression can also explain conditions such as post-traumatic disorder and shell-shock. Sigmund Freud also identified projection as a defensive mechanism employed by the ego. This occurs when an individual transfers their own concerns onto another person in order to avoid acknowledging them within themselves.

During my self-investigation, I discovered that events from my childhood profoundly shaped my life thereafter. These events influenced not only my religious beliefs but also my social and political preferences. According to Freud, religious beliefs are developed during early childhood. He believed that these beliefs stem from a child's perception of their father as the ultimate authority figure (Freud, p. 198). As evidence, Freud pointed out that many religions refer to and treat God as a Heavenly Father.

Freud described religion as a deceptive trick of our mind, which he believed created illusions and hopes. The influence of Freud led to the emergence of psychoanalytic interpretation of religion, although it has lost popularity in recent times. Both Freud and Jung emphasized the significance of unconscious processes in personality development, asserting that human behavior is greatly motivated by the unconscious. Freud was responsible for discovering the concept of the unconscious, which he deemed essential to his theory of development. He proposed that our unconscious processes are guided by various images separate from conscious laws.

According to Freud, the movements of the unconscious cannot be explained using traditional logic and rational thinking. He believed that these movements have a significant impact on our personality and often clash with societal norms and authority figures. Freud made the exploration of

these unconscious movements the focus of his treatment approach known as psychoanalysis. He further stated that the degree to which a person can comprehend the desires and motivations of their subconscious mind determines their level of personality development.

After careful consideration of this thesis, I have concluded that the measure of one's personal growth can be observed through both how others perceive us and our own perception and self-confidence. The capacity to effectively communicate and fulfill societal demands determines the qualities of a well-adjusted individual. As Freud stated in his theory, "Personality differences emerge from the various approaches people take in managing their basic drives" (Freud, p. 96). A fully developed individual demonstrates a strong aptitude for adapting to diverse life circumstances.

The ability to handle different stresses and maintain a balanced physical and emotional state is vital. Freud's ideas can be pertinent and applicable in daily life, which I can personally confirm. Coping with stress has become easier for me as I recognize that it can be overcome and that depression is not a normal condition. I easily adapt to the constantly changing environment by adjusting my psychological and emotional states accordingly. Moreover, I now have the capacity to enhance my perception of the surrounding world and modify it when necessary. Another important aspect of personal development is having an accurate understanding of one's own personality.

Empathy, the capacity to sympathize and comprehend others' thoughts, is vital for personal development. Nevertheless, merely possessing empathy does not ensure positive relationships with loved ones. Enhancing oneself necessitates empathy as it is indispensable for a well-rounded individual. Conversely, individuals lacking or having underdeveloped empathy may encounter personality disorders and face

difficulties adjusting to unfamiliar surroundings. Consequently, they find it arduous to communicate with others.

People who frequently experience moodiness and introversion may find it difficult to convey their emotions because of a lack of empathy. This inability to connect with others can lead to their actions being perceived as abnormal in modern society. The repercussions of this can be grave, ranging from profound sadness and self-harm to engaging in criminal behavior or encountering accidents. Numerous psychologists and scientists are currently researching human nature and striving to pinpoint the key factors that shape personality.

According to specialists like Freud and Jung, heredity is a crucial factor in shaping an individual's personality structure. Freud's understanding of personality structure stems from his interactions with mental patients. He classifies the personality into three structures: the ego, the id, and the superego. Freud describes the id as a component of the personality that comprises instincts and operates solely in the unconscious mind without any direct link to reality. Right after birth, children predominantly respond based on their id, guided purely by instincts.

Id is accountable for the unconscious aspect, which often goes unnoticed in our daily lives. The confrontation with reality triggers the emergence of another personality structure known as the ego. The underlying emotions, feelings, and beliefs typically remain inaccessible at the conscious level. However, these emotions and feelings ultimately shape our everyday existence. Consequently, it seems that the unconscious part, which influences our lives, remains beyond our awareness. Both the Oedipus and Electra Complexes were repressed into the unconscious, as they induced tremendous anxiety.

Freud (p. 112) suggests that unconscious desires, although hidden within us, continue to exert a significant influence on

our lives. The ego acts as a mediator between these desires and the external world, playing a vital role in fulfilling our needs. It functions as an executive faculty, assisting in decision-making processes. Reasoning serves as the ego's mechanism for making such decisions. Nonetheless, neither the id nor the ego possess any moral sense or capacity to differentiate right from wrong. This responsibility lies with the superego, also known as "consciousness."

According to Freud, individuals are constantly conflicted between subconscious instincts and desires generated by the id, and moral principles and limitations associated with the superego. It's important to note that both the id and the superego operate outside of conscious awareness for most individuals. Freud believed that every person is born with a fundamental motive: an unconscious pursuit of pleasure. Initially, each individual's primary objective is to maximize their pleasure. Thus, human personality is guided by the instincts inherent in the id personality structure.

However, society quickly becomes a hurdle for individuals who seek carefree, pleasure-driven lives devoid of moral restraints. The ideas, convictions, and ethical principles of others become a voice of authority that one cannot disregard. These moral dilemmas constitute the superego. Serving as a mediator between the id and the superego, the ego assumes a crucial role in maintaining balance. Furthermore, the ego is also responsible for engaging with reality and has the important task of navigating the surrounding environment.

Freud defined repression and projection as the main mechanisms employed by the ego to carry out its vital and challenging functions. Consciousness stores everything that is within our awareness, while the subconscious mind holds all that we are unaware of. Analogously, the relationship between

the conscious and subconscious aspects of our mind can be likened to the proportions of an iceberg, with only one-seventh visible above water.

The ocean serves as a metaphor for the personality structure, with six sevenths of it hidden underwater. Above the surface, one seventh of the personality structure is visible in conscious thoughts, feelings, and emotions. However, beneath the surface lies the unconscious mind where the majority of our personality resides. Accessing this part requires searching. The preconscious mind holds information like phone numbers and childhood memories. This metaphor made me aware of a significant part of my personality that was previously unknown to me. Despite my lack of awareness, the subconscious mind greatly influenced my daily life by impacting my thoughts, feelings, and emotions. These influences caused various problems in my life whose origins I did not understand at first.
Thanks to Freud's conception, I now have an opportunity to gain better understanding of these disadvantages. Although I still possess them, knowing their source allows me to actively work on them.

The image of an iceberg depicts the powerful subconscious mind that influences our lives and shapes the decisions we make. Exploring this hidden aspect enables us to restructure our personalities. Freudian psychoanalysis enables us to uncover concealed fears, thoughts, and emotions residing in our subconscious, thereby allowing us to eliminate them. I believe that such therapy is crucial not only for individuals with personality disorders but also for people from all walks of life to apply Freud's concepts and transform their own personalities.

I plan to study my subconscious part in the near future to gain a better understanding. The following references will be helpful: Freud,

S. (1960). The ego and the id. J. Riviere (Trans.), J. Strachey (Ed.). New York: W. W. Norton; J. Nevid, S. Rathus, B. Greene. (2006) Abnormal Psychology In a Changing World, 6th edition; Freud, S. (1925), Some psychical consequences of the anatomical distinction between the sexes, in Strachey, J. (Eds), The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmond Freud, Vol. 19. London: The Hogarth Press, pp. 241-60.