Fundamental Assumptions of Psychoanalytic Theory - Essay Example

Psychoanalytic Theory Psychoanalytic theory provided a completely fresh approach to the study and cure of abnormal adult behavior. Previous studies tended to overlook behavior and try to find a physiological clarification of abnormality. The uniqueness of Freud's psychoanalytic theory was in distinguishing that neurotic behavior is not accidental or pointless but objective-focused. Therefore, by trying to find the reason behind alleged abnormal behavioral patterns, the psychoanalyst was given away for understanding behavior as significant and enlightening, without disagreeing with its physiological side (Elliott, 2002).

Basic Instincts According to Freud’s psychoanalytic theory (Lauretis, 2008), the two basic instincts that drive all behavior are sex and aggression. He believed that people are mostly ignorant towards these motivating forces in themselves (Lauretis, 2008). For example, a boy who was mistreated by a bully, adapted his manners by following his behavior. By copying the aggressor, the boy alters himself from the individual who is threatened to the individual who is threatening others. For Freud, the basis of all human action is “psychic energy” (Humberto, 1969).

Freud believed that this energy is a restricted resource because “directing this energy into one activity prevented it from being used in another” (Loker, 2006). Therefore, a person who uses lots of energy venting anger on his or her spouse will have slight or no energy to spare for the wants of his or her kids. The two basic instincts that stimulate or boost psychic energy, Freud called ‘libido’ and the ‘death instinct’ or the ‘drive to aggression’.

In his initial work, Freud believed that the two basic instincts or drives were self-continuation (or continued existence) and species-continuation. The need to save the species was mentioned in the sex drive. Although, later on he combined these two views - continuation of self and of species - into ‘libido’ as the single source including both types of drive. Unconscious Motivation Unconscious motivation plays a major role in Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory. In accordance with this theory, most human behavior is the outcome of needs, wishes, and recollections that have been suppressed into an unconscious condition, however, it still control actions.

Freud thought that the human psyche is made of a small, conscious part that is accessible for direct observation and a much bigger subconscious part that has an even more vital part in shaping behavior (Horney, 2000). The mind is similar to an iceberg and only a small portion is exposed to conscious understanding, whereas the bigger, deeper bases for human actions lie under the surface. Example of unconscious motivation is when someone is incapable to stay in a continuing relationship and always gets a basis to end his associations.

He may claim that there is a normal reason for ending a relation, although his behavior may actually be the result of an “unconscious need for affection and belongingness, and an overpowering fear of rejection.