Introduction
As the science of psychology has aged discussions related to Sigmund Freud’s work and the work of his followers are taking place. The conversations of Noe-Freudian works have caused some to question or cement Freud’s work. As psychologists debate the issues the science continues on the foundation of Freud’s work it is important to remember the father of Psychology is not the end all to be all. As the science of Psychology has developed the ideas have been opened for discussion and advancement. This does not validate or invalidate Freud’s work, but it allows for a conversation and deeper research to understand the facts whether supporting or disproving Freud’s beliefs.
As time has progressed after Freud’s initial publications and after his death many of his followers, advisories and future psychologists developed views beyond Freud’s. This adaptation or shift in direction is called Neo-Freudianism. Although very much based on the core principles of Freud’s thoughts Neo-Freudians have expanded the discussion moving away from every later in life psychological issue needing to be related to childhood events (Weaver, 2009) while also furthering the discussion of transference (Scaturo, 2005). Three key themes seen in Neo-Freudianism; the root of anxiety, self-awareness and drivers of behavior. These three terms are the subject of agreement and disagreement among modern psychologists in relation to Freud’s works.
The Root of Anxiety
In the modern day, anxiety and medications related to anxiety are on the rise. The western world has seen a steady increase in psychological related medications being prescribed and a continued increase in psychological issues such as anxiety (Weaver, 2016). This rise in psychological issues has raised questions related to what causes anxiety and how it can be prevented. Freud believed anxiety was caused by the unconscious (Feist, Feist, & Winkler-Herman, 2013) while Noe-Freudian thought discusses new possibilities.
As Freud believed, anxiety is a symptom of defense (Eagle, 2007; Feist et al., 2013). Freud’s work seems to validate this idea however Freud did not conduct extensive or conclusive research. Freud and Noe-Freudianism believe, anxiety is rooted in self-preservation (Eagle, 2007; Feist et al., 2013). From Freud’s point of view the id, Ego and Superego battling it out attempting to suppress a thought or action in an attempt to preserve one’s self is the root of anxiety. Newer thoughts open the door to the need for self-preservation to not necessarily be in relation to the id, Ego and Superego struggling but rather the reality in front of the person with an immediate fear of not surviving a situation.
Self-awareness
Every person has problems caused by situations today and in the past. Self-awareness is the idea of understanding one’s self, where one’s self has been, where one’s self is and where one’s self is going. Many issues related to the psyche can be addressed through a patient becoming self-aware and acknowledging the issue at hand (Axelrod, 2012). When a person becomes aware, self-awareness increases effectiveness and performance (Axelrod, 2012). This increased effectiveness betters the person and the society in which the person functions. Self-awareness or openness about one’s issues can lead to a healthier community.
In Freud’s mind, life transitions to be related to a childhood event and to potentially be damaging to the person (Feist et al., 2013). In recent years there are new thoughts on the issue of life transitions such as midlife also known as midlife crisis. Life transitions can be positive when the person is self-aware (Weaver, 2009). Life transitions such as midlife can affect males and females differently (Weaver, 2009). From male point of view midlife might be a point of panic and self-disappointment causing a desire for immediate change. For example, a male might start to go to perform physical exercise in an attempt to return to his youthful body. While for a female’s midlife might take form as a point of renewal and redirection as the woman moves from serving the families to becoming an empty nester and having more personal time.
Noe-Freudian theory is approaching life transitions as a positive process not connected to trauma from childhood. This potentially will lead to a healthier approach as a society handles those who are processing through life transitions such as midlife, graduating, leaving the military or retiring. As one works through a life transition as science psychology can take a more strategic view not immediately considering the transition an issue or related to an issue.
Drivers behind Behavior
Freud addressed drivers behind behaviors through his understanding of the id, Ego and Superego. The driver behind behaviors is related to the raw desire of the id and how the Ego controls the id (Feist et al., 2013). The idea is the id holds the energy or power of the psyche while the Ego pushes the energy to cause or prevent certain outward actions. The id’s direction is raw desire almost animalistic in nature. This is the foundational drive for thoughts and actions, then the Ego and Superego work to shape the desire into acceptable outward actions by the person.
As modern psychologists have expanded the conversation a deeper understanding is possible. The id, Ego and Superego may still be at play but not all desires or actions must be based on the id’s raw desire or from childhood trauma. Scaturo (2005) suggests one’s actions maybe a result of resembling a parent’s behaviors. This complies with observations as children often have similar mannerisms as their parents. As a one grows up, it is possible the person learns and mimics the actions of others such as their parents. Actions may resemble the environment surrounding the person more than the actions are related to the id, Ego and Superego. For example, under Freudian theory someone who was born and raised in the country who then moves to the inner city at the age of 20 should continue to behave in a manner consistent with their childhood and their id, Ego and Superego. However, often times a person starts to talk and act like those around them. This can be seen by the person the many persons in society who were raised in one environment such as the country side, now live somewhere else such as the inner city and now behave similar to those who were raised and live in the inner city.
Another theory includes the idea of behaviors being motivated by the need for dominance (Hall, 1957). Freud based everything on sexual desire and sexual stages while one’s actions may more likely be related to the need to belong, the need for dominance or to be in control and the need for pleasure. As one is dominant the person receives all forms of satisfaction and pleasure satisfying the id. It is possible, actions are driven by the need to establish dominance even in a small situation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Neo-Freudians have continued to further the science and work of psychology. These conversations may not lineup with what Freud believed or approved of, but the conversations are working to further the understanding of the psyche and drivers behind behaviors. As the father of psychology Freud is not the end all to be all authority.
The development of Freud’s ideas from where he left them has led to the furtherance of the understanding of the mind and the movement known as Neo-Freudianism. Research should continue and be aggregated related to transference, life transitions and causes of behaviors. This research should be evaluated in light of Freud’s work, what has been learned since Freud and considered how the understanding of the principles of psychology should be evaluated.
References
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Eagle, M. N. (2007). Psychoanalysis and its critics. Psychoanalytic Psychology, 24(1), 10-24. doi:10.1037/0736-9735.24.1.10
Feist, J., Feist, G. J., & Winkler-Herman, T. R. (2013). Theories of Personality (8 ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Hall, C. S., & Lindzey, G. (1957). Social psychological theories: Adler, Fromm, Horney, and Sullivan. In Theories of personality (pp. 114-156). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc. doi:10.1037/10910-004.
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Scaturo, D. J. (2005). Clinical dilemmas in psychotherapy: A transtheoretical approach to psychotherapy integration. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. doi:10.1037/11110-008.
Weaver, S. L. (2016). High anxiety: colleges are seeing an increase in the number of students with diagnosable mental illness, anxiety and depression. Diverse Issues In Higher Education, (3), 25.
Weaver, Y. (2009). Mid-life – A time of crisis or new possibilities? Existential Analysis, 20(1), 69–78.