Course material

1. 2 1 discussion theory progression
Discuss the historical influence of Freud’s theory. How did the time period influence
Freud as he developed his personality theory?Respond to two other classmates and
compare your observations on how the historical context influenced Freud’s
theory.Think about the historical context of your selected theory and how it may have
influenced your chosen theory’s development.To complete this assignment, review the
Discussion Rubric document.AFTER COMPLETING THE INITIAL POST, PLEASE ALSO
RESPOND TO THE FOLLOWING TWO STUDENTS REGARDING THE SAME TOPIC!STUDENT
ONE:Hello Class,According to the text book and other research Freud developed the most
influential psychological approach that is still used. Freud began his career as a research
neurologist. ” A first Freud used hypnosis to get his patients to talk about difficult topics.
Later he turned to the use of free association, instructing the patient to say whatever came
to mind with the same purpose” (Funder, pg. 352).The textbook identifies that the
psychoanalysis has four distinct ideas “psychic determination, internal structure, psychic
conflict, and mental energy” (Funder, pg. 354). Psychic determination is the idea that
everything happens in one’s mind and therefor they are thinking that for a particular
reason. Internal structure is the idea that there are layers to a person, the id, ego, and the
superego. Psychic conflict is the concept that because the mind is divided into independent
parts there will be conflict between them. The mental energy component is just what it is
described as, someone’s mental energy. This is also where the term libido was
formed.Freud also was the founder of the stages of psychosexual development and defined
all those terms within those stages. Freud articulates that if you do not move past a specific
stage that you will be stuck there and that will create issues throughout your life. Freud also
identifies and creates different types of defense mechanisms.In summation Freud has
contributed an enormous amount of theories and ideas to the psychoanalytic field. His
theories are the basis and building blocks for his predecessors. These theories are the basics
for which students and other professionals. Although Freud’s theories weren’t always the
popular opinion there was a basis for learning and taking something away from his theories
that help guide those theories to modern psychology textbooks and classes today. Freud’s
influence on historical psychology and modern psychology is well
noted.Thanks,ChristineFunder, D. C. The Personality Puzzle (Seventh Edition). [MBS Direct].
Retrieved from https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780393288032/STUDENT
TWO:Good afternoon Professor and Classmates :-),Sigmund Freud was one of the most
influential thinkers of all time even though some are skeptical of his beliefs. Freud began his

2. career as a research neurologist. He later graduated and move on to psychiatry so he can
begin his practice and make a living. He is most known as the founder of psychoanalysis.
Psychoanalysis is a therapeutic process that helps patients understand and resolve their
problems. It is an in-depth talk therapy that brings to light unconscious or deeply buried
thoughts. Once the patient becomes more comfortable and less resistant to face their issues,
they can begin healing (Funder, 2016). In the beginning, Freud used hypnosis to get his
patients to talk about difficult topics and later turn to the use of free association. Free
association is where a therapist asks a person in therapy to freely share their thoughts,
words or anything that comes to mind. His patients referred it as the “talking cure―.
Talking cure was first adopted by Josef Breuer, his friend, a well-respected Viennese
physician and physiologist (Rennison, 2015). This became Freud’s greatest contribution
to psychotherapy. Freud felt that by openly discussing your thoughts and fears, the
conscious and rational mind would be able to deal with them (Funder, 2016).After World
War I, Freud continued his work on theories of personality. Freud’s family was jewish
but he himself was non-practicing. Since his family was jewish, it made them a target to
Adolf Hitler. Hitler’s regime affected Freud’s life personally. In 1933, the Nazis
publicly burned a number of Freud’s books and works. He wanted to stay in Vienna but
was afraid for his family. Shortly after Freud left Vienna for London with his wife and
daughter. He was most famous for the theory that the mind is divided into three parts: the
id (unconscious, impulsive and wants it now), superego (rules of conduct or morality) and
ego (a balance between the two and the most impactful on people’s lives)(Funder,
2016). His theory on “The Freudian slip―, refers to an accidental slip of the tongue,
still remains popular today. Many felt that his theories were controversial and some people
even viewed it as dangerous. His emphasis on sex and sexual energy. Some complained that
his theory was “dirty” (Funder, 2016, p 357). Also his theories could not be tested but he
was right about one thing, childhood experiences has been known to shape adult
personality and behaviors in important ways.References:Funder, D.C. (2016). The
personality puzzle. New York, NY. W.W. Norton & Company.Rennison, N. (2015). Freud and
psychoanalysis : Everything you need to know about id, ego, super-ego and more (E-
reader Version). Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-
com.ezproxy.snhu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat04477a&AN=snhu.b1626824&site=e
ds-live&scope=site