Psychology, 150 (Sigmund Freud)

Basic "answer these questions" boring short essay thing.

Sigmund Freud was a revolutionary in the evolution of psychoanalysis and psychology. He began as a neurologist, then transitioned into theories about the unconscious mind. Freud theorised that individuals would repress unwanted or inappropriate desires, often sexual or pleasure related. He believed it was a defense mechanism of the subconscious to protect the individual's sanity. Another of his theories was that girls had to accept early in life their initial failure to be born as a male. Freud was known for his male preferential and was often criticised for it.

Many of Freud's theories were directly based on his own experiences and surroundings. Later in life, as the first World War and antisemitism took hold of Europe, “death and violence became more prominent in his theories, and he emphasized the ways participation in mass society released deep-seated aggressive impulses. (LOC)”

Outside of criticism for his misogynistic theories, Freud's emphasis on sexual tendencies and causality for mental issues was also often under fire. Over time, many of his supporters would come to disagree with him and move on to create their own organisations as “diversity of opinion was something Freud himself seems to have had but little tolerance for. (NNDB)“ Although his theories are often discounted, his drive to understand the subconscious and mental process set the foundation for modern psychology.