Many psychologists have proposed theories that try to explain the origins of
personality. One highly influential set of theories stems from the work of Austrian
neurologist Sigmund Freud, who first proposed the theory of
psychoanalysis. Collectively, these theories are known as psychodynamictheories. Although many different psychodynamic theories exist, they
all emphasize unconscious motives and desires, as well as the importance of
childhood experiences in shaping personality.
Sigmund
Freud’s Theory of Psychoanalysis
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Freud developed a technique that he
called psychoanalysis and used it to treat mental disorders. He
formed his theory of psychoanalysis by observing his patients. According to
psychoanalytic theory, personalities arise because of attempts to resolve
conflicts between unconscious sexual and aggressive impulses and societal
demands to restrain these impulses.
The Conscious, the Preconscious, and the Unconscious
Freud believed that most mental processes are unconscious. He proposed
that people have three levels of awareness:
- The conscious contains all the information that a
person is paying attention to at any given time.
Example: The words Dan is reading, the objects in
his field of vision, the sounds he can hear, and any
thirst, hunger, or pain he is experiencing at the moment
are all in his conscious.
- The preconscious contains all the information outside
of a person’s attention but readily available if needed.
Example: Linda’s telephone number, the make of her car, and
many of her past experiences are in her
preconscious.
- The unconscious contains thoughts, feelings, desires,
and memories of which people have no awareness but that influence every
aspect of their day-to-day lives.
Example: Stan’s unconscious might contain angry feelings
toward his mother or a traumatic incident he experienced at
age four.