Sigmund Freud's Psychodynamic Theories

The psychodynamic theory is explained as both conscious and unconscious mental cognitions that are influenced by social emotional and biological factors. This theory has been moulded by Sigmund Freud who discovered and practiced psychoanalysis. This is both a theory and therapy which aids treatment of mental disorders by researching both conscious and unconsious aspects, this could include repressed fears, beliefs and faulty cognitions. Freuds work has influenced and grown many aspects of development including attachment, prognosis, and diagnosis of disorders. According to Freud, individuals universally have more than one aspect to their personality coined as the three part structure of personality. This theory breaks down cognition

This structure works by controlling hedonic activity in order to syspend instant gratification for more vital worldly demands. The ego is still motivated by gratification however unlike the id, it is realistic in doing so.
The last part of the three structure of personality is the superego, this part runs utilising both morality and values. This system emerges at the end of early childhood and allows moral reasoning to shape the individuals behaviour. The superego will discipline both sexual and aggressive feelings and will provide gratification for rightful moral behaviour. Another theory proposed by Freud is the psychosexual development theory. This theory is derived from the idea that proper development is moulded by parental roles in the early stages of life. There are five stages to this theory, not completing a stage may result in fixation on a specific zone and may cause a delay or discontinued response to the next stage. Each stage has a different region on a part of the body, development shifts from issues amongst the three part structures (id, ego and supergo). The five stages include oral, anal, phallic, latency,

The libido is located in the mouth of the child. Gratification results from oral movements such as chewing. Continued oral stimulation may lead to fixation in the future. This can be seen in adults who have repetitive behaviours such as those who smoke or bite their nails (refernece). The second stage reffered to as the anal stage (1-3 years) is characterised by the libido changing location to the anus, defecating leads to stimulation and gratification. The phallic stages (3 to 6 years) focus of gratification is in the genitalia. The child eventually becomes aware of sex differences between the genders, the superego is being moulded and children differentiate between right and wrong. Acording to the Oedipus complex, children show anger to the same sex parent and love for the opposite sex parent. The next stage referred to as the latency stage occurs between 6-12 years, this period is characteristised by a childs energy being put into increasing knowledge and skill sets. This period utilises energy to social, and physical outlets. During this period the superego is still developing. The last stage is the genital stage, a time of experimentation with sexual relationships which continue throughout their