Freud - psychodynamic theory

• Freud's theory


  Our early childhood experiences determine our personality and future behavior
• The child is father to the man

  Much of our mind was in the unconscious region similar to the tip of an iceberg where only a small part can be seen
• Structure of the mind

  • Freud developed the structure of the mind and said that our personality is divided into 3 main parts: Id, Ego, Superego
• Id


  Controls our selfish and animalistic urges (instincts)
• Ego


  Seeks rational and sensible control (reality)
• Superego


  Our moral conscience (morality)
• Healthy person


  Needs a balance of all 3 (Id, Ego, Superego)
• Transition from childhood to adulthood


  Most of us make the transition from being dominated by Id to Ego and then form a balance between all 3 as we grow
• Inadequate Superego


  Leads to the person having little control over immoral behavior and is likely to act in ways that satisfy the desires of their Id
• Deviant Superego


  Occurs when the child is brought up with a criminal parent, and the child would then adopt the same deviant attitudes
• Freud's theory claims that all behavior is shaped by our childhood
• Criticism: Being imbalanced does not always lead to criminal behaviour
• Criticism: Being selfish and having more "ID" does not necessarily make us criminals
• Criticism: Freud's theory is based on weak/poor evidence, e.g. case studies