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Freudian Theory

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1) According to Freudian theory, is Steve aware of why he interacts with women only on a sexual basis? Which state of consciousness is most involved in controlling this behavior?

2) What type of Freudian psychic energy motivates Steve's relationships with women?

3) At what Freudian stage is Steve fixated and what evidence exists of this? What exactly is the stage and how does it contribute to the fixation? What would have caused this fixation?

4) Although many of Freud's major theories have fallen out of favor among psychologists for their lack of falsifiability (i.e., can not be tested empirically true or false using the scientific method), many of Freud's ideas have had a significant impact on the field of psychology (the study of the unconscious; the importance of early childhood experiences; stage development; defense mechanisms). Which is considered to be the most important? Specifically, why is it considered to be more so than the others?

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This short paper uses Freud's theories to answer questions and analyze a given case study of an individual named Steve. Steve has problems with relationships, is controlling and experiences several other problems. Details are given using references to answer the given questions.

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Sigmund Freud
Question
1) According to Freudian theory, is Steve aware of why he interacts with women only on a sexual basis? Which state of consciousness is most involved in controlling this behavior?
2) What type of Freudian psychic energy motivates Steve's relationships with women?
3) At what Freudian stage is Steve fixated and what evidence exists of this? What exactly is the stage and how does it contribute to the fixation? What would have caused this fixation?
4) Although many of Freud's major theories have fallen out of favor among psychologists for their lack of falsifiability (i.e., can not be tested empirically true or false using the scientific method), many of Freud's ideas have had a significant impact on the field of psychology (the study of the unconscious; the importance of early childhood experiences; stage development; defense mechanisms). Which is considered to be the most important? Specifically, why is it considered to be more so than the others?
Solution
The case study involves a 38 year old man named Steve of Italian-American decent who operates in a sexual addictive behavior type of behavior in which he has a fear of commitments, and bases this behavior on his "strained relationship" (Rainbolt) in which he had a lack of affection and interaction.
Freud initially decided to divide the levels of consciousness into different levels of consciousness and unconsciousness, then discarded this theory to replace it with a theory of three parts emphasizing the id, ego, and super ego. According to (Stevenson, 1996), Freud understood the mind as constantly in conflict with itself, and understood this variance as what he called the primary cause of human anxiety and unhappiness. Freud's examination into these somewhat internal conflicts such as this led him to this final division of the mind into three parts, three conflicting internal tendencies, the "id, ego, and super-ego" (Stevenson, 1996).
This division by Freud is looked upon as rather separate aspects and elements of the single structure of the mind. According to Stevenson, these divisions sometimes are personified as a way to simplify the use of this complex analytic theory. Thus, it is convenient to say that the id "demands" immediate gratification, in which other thoughts of the mind are in constant conflict.
The following is an excerpt from Stevenson, 1996:
Id
As the baby emerges from the womb into the reality of life, he wants only to eat, drink, urinate, defecate, be warm, and gain sexual pleasure. These urges are the demands of the id, the most primitive motivational force. In pursuit of these ends, the id demands immediate gratification: it is ruled by ...

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