Introduction
Theories by definition are guesses and conjunctures about a particular idea and the means to prove its validity, facts are presented to support the theory through research and practical applications. At certain point theories becomes the subject of debate when the underlying principles of the theory are challenged due to the weak spots and holes found in its context. Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory is not so different from the rest of other theories that are in question due to their limitations. Psychoanalytic theory was built upon the perception that people exerts resistance when being enforced to be conscious of his unconscious. The theory is consists of elements such as instincts, which is the determining force of behavior and its direction (Schultz & Schultz, 2009). It also involves a level of personality identified as Id, Ego and Superego; they represent the various principles of personality and behavior such as moral imperatives, pleasure and reality principle (Schultz & Schultz, 2009).
Strengths and Weaknesses
Psychoanalytic theory has its own strengths that made it endure years of debates and skeptics. First, the theory emphasizes the patterns that contributed to the establishment and development of one’s personality during his life’s early stage. This is because the theory considers the factors that had a significant effect on an individual’s personality such as childhood experiences, unconscious conflicts and repression of erotic feelings during childhood (Borstein, 2006). For example, if an adult showed aggressive behavior it is possible that his childhood experiences involves exposure to violent media or abuse, these experiences encompasses fixation in the child’s unconscious mind that would manifest in his character later in life. The strength of the theory is by having multiple level assumptions of how the brain operates. For example, are the ID, Ego and Superego, they represent the underlying unconsciousness which people are not aware that these levels affect the way they express their personalities. Despite the strengths, the Psychoanalytic theory also has its weaknesses. One example is the difficulty of conducting empirical test of the theory and the theory also has ideas that are being discredited by modern research about the brain. For example, Freud employed the use of hypnosis to evaluate the patient and use dream interpretation to extract analysis of the patient’s personality through the use of free association of feelings and ideas.
Why the Theory Stood the Test of Time
Despite the debate on the adequacy of Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory, it was able to stand the test of time and survive for more than 100 years. This is because Freud understands that his theory will be vigorously challenged by criticism. Therefore, he chose to institutionalize his ideas and followed theoretical orthodoxy. Freud always writes and publishes about the origins of his concepts to continuously support his theory’s principles. He also established a group of writers and doctors called the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society, from then on Freud gained followers he called “Committee,” that conducts lectures and develop new methods out of the theory’s principles (Library of Congress, 2010).
References
Bornstein, PhD, R. F. (2006). A Freudian Construct Lost and Recaimed: The Psychodynamics of Personality Pathology. Psychoanalytic Psychology, 23(2). doi:10.1037/0736-9735.23.2.339.
Library of Congress (2010, July 23). From the Individual to Society -- Sigmund Freud: Conflict & Culture (Library of Congress Exhibition). Library of Congress Home. Retrieved December 7, 2012, from http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/freud/freud03.html
Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2009). Chapter 1: Sigmund Freud: Psychoanalysis. In Theories of personality (9th ed.). Australia: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
