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Over the course of the past century a number of scholars have contributed to the field of psychology.
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While many have only made small contributions—falling into literal
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obscurity over time—several prominent individuals have developed theories that,
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while having noted controversies, have withstood the test of time.
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Such is the case with Sigmund Freud and his development of psychoanalytic theory.
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In order to fully understand the contribution that Freud made to the
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discipline of psychology, this investigation considers both Freud’s work
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and his theoretical proposition on the development of personality.
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By examining Freud’s contribution to psychology, it will be possible to
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demonstrate why Freud’s theories continue to remain
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a lynchpin of educational development in psychology.
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Before the specifics of Freud’s view on the structure of personality can be discussed,
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a consideration of psychoanalytic theory and its basic tenets is first warranted.
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By examining the underlying philosophies of psychoanalytic theory first,
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it will be possible to provide a broad framework for understanding Freud’s basic ideologies overall.
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From this point, it will then be possible to narrow the subject so that a
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critical examination of Freud’s structure of personality can be effectively delineated.
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Exploring the central philosophies of psychoanalytic therapy, an author notes the following:
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“Human beings are basically determined by psychic energy and by early experiences.
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Unconscious motives and conflicts are central in present behavior.
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Irrational forces are strong; the person is driven by sexual and aggressive impulses”.
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Covey further notes that understanding early childhood development is
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essential to the process of therapy as repressed conflicts from this period
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are often the root cause of dysfunctional behavior.
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Thus, the importance of the development and structure of personality become evident.
