BSED Major in Social Studies 2

Sigmund Frued

Let us recall what Sigmund Freud said, 'The mind is like an iceberg; it floats with one-seventh of its bulk above water.' This illustrates his belief in the subconscious, where much of what a person is truly about remains hidden, while only a small portion is conscious.

As teachers, it's essential to avoid drawing quick conclusions about our students' intentions behind their actions, considering the many factors influencing behavior.

Freud emphasized the three components of personality:

1. Id (pleasure-seeking)
2. Ego (reality-centered)
3. Superego (conscience or ego ideal)

The Structure of Personality*

Freud proposed three components of personality:

1. *Id* (Pleasure Principle): seeks immediate gratification, driven by instincts and desires.
2. *Ego* (Reality Principle): balances id's demands with reality, enabling rational decision-making.
3. *Superego* (Conscience): incorporates moral principles, guiding behavior and self-criticism.

Id, Ego, and Superego*

Id (Pleasure Principle):

1. A child grabbing a toy without asking.
2. An adult indulging in excessive shopping.

Ego (Reality Principle):

1. A student considering the consequences of cheating.
2. An adult weighing the pros and cons of a career change.

Superego (Conscience):

1. A person feeling guilty for lying.
2. A student voluntarily confessing to a mistake.

Here's an example scenario illustrating the Id, Ego, and Superego:

Scenario: Alex, a 20-year-old college student, sees a new, expensive laptop at a store.

*Id (Pleasure Principle)*

- Wants the laptop immediately, regardless of cost.
- Thinks, "I deserve it, I've been working hard."
- Feels excited and tempted.

*Ego (Reality Principle)*

- Considers the price and budget constraints.
- Thinks, "I can't afford it, I have other priorities."
- Weighs the pros and cons of buying the laptop.

*Superego (Conscience)*

- Reminds Alex of values like responsibility and frugality.
- Thinks, "Buying this laptop would be irresponsible and wasteful."
- Encourages Alex to prioritize needs over wants.

Outcome:

- Alex decides not to buy the laptop, choosing to prioritize financial responsibility.
- Id's desire is suppressed by Ego's rational thinking and Superego's moral guidance.

This scenario demonstrates the internal conflict between:

1. Id (impulsive desires)
2. Ego (rational thinking)
3. Superego (moral principles)

The Ego mediates between the Id's demands and the Superego's moral standards, leading to a responsible decision.

Other examples:

- Id: "I want to eat all the cake!" vs. Ego: "I should save some for tomorrow." vs. Superego: "It's unhealthy to overindulge."
- Id: "I'm angry, I'll lash out!" vs. Ego: "I should calm down." vs. Superego: "Violence is never the answer."

Do you have specific questions or need further clarification?

He also proposed five psychosexual stages of development:

1. Oral
2. Anal
3. Phallic
4. Latency
5. Genital

Each stage requires satisfaction of specific needs, and failure to do so can result in fixations."

Here's a more detailed explanation of the concepts mentioned:

*Freud's Iceberg Analogy*

Sigmund Freud compared the human mind to an iceberg, where:

1. The visible tip (above water) represents the conscious mind (aware thoughts and feelings).
2. The submerged bulk (below water) symbolizes the subconscious mind (hidden thoughts, feelings, and memories).

*Psychosexual Stages of Development*

Freud's theory proposes five stages, each with distinct characteristics and challenges:

1. *Oral Stage* (0-1.5 years): Focus on oral satisfaction (feeding, comfort).
2. *Anal Stage* (1.5-3 years): Emphasis on bladder and bowel control.
3. *Phallic Stage* (3-6 years): Exploration of genitalia and gender identity.
4. *Latency Stage* (6-12 years): Repression of sexual desires, focus on social skills.
5. *Genital Stage* (12+ years): Mature sexual interests and relationships.

Examples:

Psychosexual Stages*

Oral Stage (0-1.5 years):

1. Infant sucking thumb for comfort.
2. Toddler enjoying feeding and tasting.

Anal Stage (1.5-3 years):

1. Toddler learning to control bladder and bowel.
2. Child resisting toilet training.

Phallic Stage (3-6 years):

1. Child exploring genitalia.
2. Curiosity about opposite-sex parents.

Latency Stage (6-12 years):

1. Child focusing on friendships and social skills.
2. Preteen suppressing sexual thoughts.

Genital Stage (12+ years):

1. Teen exploring romantic relationships.
2. Adult navigating mature sexual relationships.

*Fixations and Defense Mechanisms*

Fixations:

1. Overindulgence in oral habits (e.g., smoking, excessive eating).
2. Compulsive cleanliness (anal stage fixation).

Defense Mechanisms:

1. Repression (pushing uncomfortable thoughts away).
2. Projection (attributing one's thoughts to others).

*Key Takeaways*

1. Unresolved issues in earlier stages can lead to fixations (persistent patterns of behavior).
2. The subconscious mind plays a significant role in shaping behavior and personality.
3. Understanding these concepts can help teachers and educators better support students' emotional and psychological development.

Here are examples illustrating Freud's concepts:

*Iceberg Analogy*

Conscious (above water):

1. A student openly expressing their excitement for a school event.
2. A person deliberately choosing healthy food options.

Subconscious (below water):

1. A student's unexplained anxiety about a specific subject.
2. A person's unconscious bias towards certain groups.

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These examples illustrate Freud's theories in everyday life.

Do you have specific questions or need further clarification?