Who is Sigmund Freud?

Individuals interested in Psychology or its concepts, have definitely come across the name Sigmund Freud

however, the texts and documents might be too long or too complex to read. In this article, I try to put

together relevant pieces of information about Sigmund Freud in the most simple ways possible.

Sigmund Freud was a psychologist and not a philosopher as most people tend to mistake. He begun his work as a neurologist studying the functions of the brain. Research indicates that he was more interested in evaluating and treating pathologies originating from the psyche. He therefore invented the treatment method of a dialogue between the patient and clinician (psychoanalyst), forming his psychoanalytic theory.

Where is Sigmund Freud From?

In the research studies about Sigmund Freud, it is said that he was born in Australia in the year 1856 and

died 1939. The educational background of Sigmund Freud indicates that he studied medicine at the

University of Vienna. He specialized in neuropathology and set up a practice in Vienna where he lived .

Who was Sigmund Freuds wife?

At the age of 26, Sigmund Freud met a girl by the name Martha Bernays. He fell in love with her and got

engaged in two months. They later on got married and had six children among them Anna Freud who

took after his fathers interest in psychology. However, his marriage to Martha was filled with his absence

and devotion to his laboratory work .

Who Influenced Sigmund Freud?

Sigmund Freuds interest in psychology can be traced to Jean-Martin Charcot. Jean-Martin Charcot was

also a neurologist like Freud whose work was attributed to hypnosis as a treatment for hysteria. After a

visit with Jean-Martin, Freud got interested in the hypnosis and thus shifting his career from neurology to

the study of psychopathology.

What are Sigmund Freud’s theories?

Psychoanalytic theory is one of the major theories that is attributed to Sigmund Freud. He emphasizes

that the unconscious mind influences the present actions of an individual. From the theory, several other

theories from such as;

The theory of the three levels of consciousness that consist of the conscious, preconscious and the

unconscious. In-depth discussions are on the link.

Freuds view of personality is explained in three forms the Id, Ego and Superego. In a different second article, I explain how the three levels Id, Ego and Superego functions in a real life setting.

The Psychosexual stages that consist of five stages of development that is the oral, Anal, Phallic, Latent

and genital stages. More is discussed in the link.

The theory on defense mechanisms also attributed to unconscious mind consists of several ways in which

an individual resolves conflicts. In-depth discussions are on the link.

What is Freud Best Known for?

Sigmund Freud is famous for his works on the psychosexual stages of development. The topic has been

considered by other researchers as controversial due to Freud’s constant emphasis on the erotic desires.

However, his greatest contributions to the field of psychology is the analysis of the past influences on the

present that earned him the name father of psychoanalysis. The later works on psychoanalysis have been

summed up in the theory known as psychodynamic theory consisting of ; Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, Anna

Freud and Erik Erikson. All his theories originate from the functioning of the unconscious mind. Freud is

also known for the invention of catharsis which is referred to as the talking cure.