Freud and Behaviourists Theories Essay - 1617 Words

Freud and Behaviourists Theories In the late 19th and early 20th Century, there were many important theories developed explaining, or trying to explain, human behaviour and personality development. In this essay, I aim to compare and contrast the Freudian Theory and the Theories of the Behaviourists. These were some of the main theories constructed with aims at looking at the way our behaviour is, or isnt, controlled by our personality. The way I have decided to structure this essay is to firstly describe each theory separately. I will make my comparisons between the two theories and finally I will conclude with some criticisms aimed at each theory. Sigmund Freud (1856 - 1939) dedicated†¦show more content†¦The final section is our unconscious mind. This is our store of long term memories or memories that cannot be recalled so easily. We may not even be aware of all the memories within this section because they are stored so deeply within the section but these memories can be triggered unknowingly as a result of sensory stimulation. i.e. a particular smell could trigger a memory of when we first experienced that smell. (Horle, 2002.) Another factor in the makeup of the psychoanalytic theory is Freuds view on personality. He claimed that our personality is made up three elements, the Id, the Ego and the Superego. Three elements interacting with each other and thus governing our behaviour. He said the id is our unconscious reservoir of primitive instincts. This part of our makeup is out to satisfy our basic urges without any consideration of the consequences and without waiting to be polite. The id is totally un-socialised. On the other hand, we have our superego, which consists of ideas influenced by our parents, which restricts us from doing wrong and is set from early childhood before the child gets a chance to question them. This leaves our ego, which is aware of the id, and of the superego, and often finds the two in conflict. It is the job of the ego to balance the other two in order to maximise pleasure and minimiseShow MoreRelatedScience Is The Term For A Unique Means Of Understanding The World1469 Words   |  6 Pagesthey will express their explanations. Scientific theories are logically created and dependant on empirical evidence. Scientific theorising is self-correcting, as when a theory is wrong it will eventually be proved to be so by the findings that are acquired. 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