Question

Human behavior is strongly influenced by unconscious sexual and aggressive conflicts. School/Approach _______ Founder(s) ______

Short answer

School/Approach: Psychoanalysis Founder(s): Sigmund Freud

Step-by-step solution

Identify the School/Approach

Based on the statement provided, the school/approach of thought that focuses on unconscious sexual and aggressive conflicts as central to understanding human behavior can be recognized as Psychoanalysis.

Identify the Founder(s)

Psychoanalysis, as a school of psychological thought, was primarily founded by Sigmund Freud. He was an Austrian neurologist who developed several theories and therapeutic techniques, uncovering the importance of the unconscious mind in shaping our behavior and emotions. So, the answer to the exercise is: School/Approach: Psychoanalysis Founder(s): Sigmund Freud

Key concepts

Unconscious Mind

Psychoanalysis posits that much of human behavior is influenced by the unconscious mind, a part of our psychology that we are typically unaware of. According to Sigmund Freud, the unconscious mind harbors thoughts, memories, and desires that are not easily accessible to the conscious mind but have significant effects on our actions and feelings.

For instance, Freud believed that childhood experiences play a critical role in the development of our unconscious mind, creating patterns that may influence our adult lives. This concept suggests that our decisions and reactions are not always as autonomous as we might think, and that exploring the unconscious can help us understand our motivations and behaviors better.

Understanding the unconscious is key for resolving internal conflicts and can lead to personal growth. By bringing unconscious thoughts to the conscious mind through techniques such as dream analysis and free association, an individual may experience therapeutic benefits.

Sexual and Aggressive Conflicts

Freud's psychoanalysis asserts that the roots of much human behavior can be traced to innate sexual and aggressive impulses. These primal urges are often in conflict with societal norms and personal morals, which can lead to internal strife known as 'conflict'.

Repression and Defense Mechanisms

According to Freud, since society expects us to repress these base instincts, particularly those related to sexuality and aggression, the psyche develops defense mechanisms to cope. Repression, projection, and denial are just a few examples of these subconscious safeguards.

The Role of Early Life Experiences

Experiences in early life stages, like the Oedipal or Electra complexes, exemplify how these sexual and aggressive conflicts can manifest. Later in life, unresolved conflicts might result in neuroses or guide behavior in unconscious ways, often being the source of mental health issues that psychoanalysis aims to address.

Sigmund Freud

The Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud is widely known as the founding father of psychoanalysis. His groundbreaking work began in the late 19th century, reshaping how we think about the human psyche. Freud's theories revolved around the pivotal role of the unconscious mind and its impact on personality development, mental disorders, and everyday life.

Key Contributions

Some of Freud's key contributions include the development of the Oedipus complex, the theory of psychosexual development, and the model of the psyche divided into the id, ego, and superego. Though his work has faced controversy and criticism, its influence on psychology, literature, and even everyday language is undoubted.

Freud's methods, such as the use of talk therapy and dream interpretation, established a new approach to treatment, focusing on dialogue and exploration of the mind, rather than the purely physical treatments for mental illnesses that were prevalent at that time.