Describe and Evaluate Sigmund Freud’s Theory of Psycho-Pathology

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Freud devised the concept of ego defence mechanisms (denial, repression, displacement) as a means to combat “intra-psychic ” (an imbalance of the three concepts of personality).“The Structure of personality” consisting of the ID; sexual drive; energy; libido, the ego or “the conscious self” and the super-ego, which can be considered as ones conscience or morals that have been devised by internalising a parental figures ideologies. During the oral stage of development (0-18 months) ones ID is situated in oral gratification, more specifically, breast feeding . Should the impulse be over gratified or neglected, the individual may inevitably suffer from oral fixation and an over dependency in relationships . Speculation from this model can be contested , due to the fact that Freud did not directly study infants, but rather adults who approached him with neurotic disorders (often extreme cases), calling to question the validity of the model . The later stage of anal retention and exertion describes the concept that at this age (18m-3yrs) children are given their first opportunity to exert control over their environment and over gratifying this need has been suspected to result in hygiene issues and OCD behaviour . However at that age can it really be suggested that children are fully aware of their actions let alone the concept of power and control? There is no evidence to suggest that this stage can incite Over-compulsive behaviour yet still it is stated. A more questionable and controversial stage would be that of the phallic stage. At this time boys are suspected to develop what can be known as the Oedipus complex, ID gratification is focused on the genital area and boys begin to have desires for their maternal figure, though in fear of castration or loss of love from their fathers, they later internalise their ideals and thus produces the super-ego to balance
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