The Life, Work and Theories of Sigmund Freud:
Psychology's most famous figure is also one of the most influential and controversial thinkers of the twentieth century. Sigmund Freud’s work and theories helped shape our views of childhood, personality, memory, sexuality, and therapy. Other major thinkers have contributed work that grew out of Freud's legacy, while others developed new theories out of opposition to his ideas.
In 2001, Time Magazine referred to Freud as one of the most important thinkers of the last century. A 2006 Newsweek article called him "history’s most debunked doctor." While his theories have been the subject of considerable controversy and debate, his impact on psychology, therapy, and culture is undeniable. As W.H. Auden wrote in his 1973 poem, In Memory of Sigmund Freud,"if often he was wrong and, at times, absurd,
to us he is no more a person
now but a whole climate of opinion."
Sigmund Freud’s Life:
Our exploration of Sigmund Freud’s legacy begins with a look at his life and time. Learn more about his life in this brief biography and timeline of his life.
Sigmund Freud’s Major Theories:
Sigmund’s Freud’s theories were enormously influential, but subject to considerable criticism both now and during his own life. However, his ideas have become interwoven into the fabric of our culture, with terms such as “Freudian slip,” “repression,” and “denial” appearing regularly in everyday language.
- The Conscious and Unconscious Mind
- The Id, Ego, and Superego
- Life and Death Instincts
- Psychosexual Development
- Defense Mechanisms
Sigmund Freud and Psychoanalysis:
Freud’s ideas had such a strong impact on psychology that an entire school of thought emerged from his work. While it was eventually replaced by the rise of behaviorism, psychoanalysis had a lasting impact on both psychology and psychotherapy.
Freud’s Patients
- Anna O. (Bertha Pappenheim)
- Little Hans (Herbert Graf)
- Dora (Ida Bauer)
- Rat Man (Ernst Lanzer)
- Wolf Man (Sergei Pankejeff)
Major Works by Sigmund Freud:
Freud’s writings detail many of his major theories and ideas, including his personal favorite, The Interpretation of Dreams. “[It] contains… the most valuable of all the discoveries it has been my good fortune to make. Insight such as this falls to one's lot but once in a lifetime," he explained. Some of his major books include:
- The Interpretation of Dreams
- The Psychopathology of Everyday Life
- Totem and Taboo
- Civilization and Its Discontents
- The Future is an Illusion
Perspectives:
Freud wrote and theorized about a broad range of subjects including sex, dreams, religion, women, and culture. Learn more about some of Freud’s perspectives and how these views influenced his own theories.
