Twelve Things that Sigmund Freud Got Right

Sigmund Freud continues to be an influential figure in the field of psychology for his development of psychoanalysis, a theory and treatment approach focusing on the psychological development of mental illness. His work involved exploring the unconscious mind and the impact of early experiences, particularly those related to sexual development and parental relationships, on human behavior and personality.

Freud introduced concepts such as the unconscious, defense mechanisms, psychosexual development, and dream interpretation, which remain widely discussed today. He emphasized the significance of unconscious motivations and desires in shaping behavior and identified sex and aggression as primary drives. Additionally, Freud underscored the importance of the therapeutic relationship in the practice of psychoanalysis.

Click here for other articles related to Sigmund Freud and his work.

While Freud's work has significantly contributed to the field of psychology (see the list below), it has also faced criticism and challenges. Some counterarguments to Freud's ideas include:

1. Lack of Evidence: Freud's theories were largely based on clinical observations and case studies, which makes it difficult to subject them to rigorous scientific scrutiny. Most of Freud's case studies were also of middle to upper class women, some of which he worked with for several years as their therapist. Because of the small sample size and lack of diversity, Freud's work is likely not generalizable to the entire population.
2. Focus on Sexuality: Critics argue that Freud placed excessive emphasis on sexuality and the unconscious sexual desires as the primary driving force behind human behavior, neglecting other important factors like social, cultural, and cognitive influences. Interestingly, some argue that had Freud called his drives life and death as opposed to sex and aggression, his theories may not have been so controversial and therefore may have never become popular. His focus on sexual development, in a time when sexuality was taboo, may be why we are talking about him today.
3. Test of Time: Freud's theories were developed within the context of early 20th-century Vienna, reflecting the social and cultural norms of that time. Critics argue that his ideas do not fully account for the diversity of human experiences across different cultures and historical periods. Freud's theories have been criticized for their lack of falsifiability as well. Some argue that his concepts are so ambiguous and open to interpretation that they cannot be disproven, making them difficult to test scientifically. While they are difficult to prove, they are difficult to disprove as well.

Despite these legitimate arguments against Freud's theories and their application to modern psychology, his work is still a major component of talk therapy a decade later. No other figure in psychology or mental health can claim this. Here are twelve things that Freud got right and are still influencing the work of psychologists and others who engage in talk therapy as a mental healthcare intervention:

1. The Benefits of Talk Therapy: Freud developed talk therapy as an approach to curing mental illness. This idea has grown and today's modern psychotherapies are evidence-based and focused to reduce, and in some cases cure, mental illness in its many forms.
2. The Existence of an Unconscious Mind: Freud's recognition of the role of the unconscious mind in shaping thoughts, feelings, and behavior remains an influential concept in psychology. Research today is looking at how we respond to current stimuli based on our past experiences and how such an automated process works. Freud referred to these drives as unconscious, or out of our conscious awareness, and this remains part of our work as psychologists today.
3. The Impact of Early Childhood Experiences: Freud emphasized the significance of early childhood experiences and their potential influence on later development, which is still recognized as important in many psychological theories. Other theorists added to his developmental approach by looking at cognitive development (Piaget), moral development (Kohlberg), and social development (Erikson).
4. The Influence of Defense Mechanisms: Freud's identification and exploration of defense mechanisms, such as denial, repression, and projection, have been integrated into contemporary psychology, providing insights into how individuals cope with internal conflicts and distress.
5. The Impact of Unconscious Motivations on Behavior: Freud argued that unconscious motivations play a crucial role in human behavior, an idea that has influenced subsequent psychological theories, including psychodynamic and humanistic approaches.
6. The Importance of Dreams: Freud's exploration of dreams and their symbolic content contributed to the understanding that dreams can reflect unconscious processes and desires, though how we interpret dreams have evolved over time. Dreamwork is a common procedure in therapy for those looking to understand unconscious motives and to develop a deeper understanding of the self. While unconscious aspects of dreams - referred to as latent content - is important, therapists also look at the manifest content, those aspects of the dream that seem to mirror or represent our real work behaviors and activities.
7. The Concept of Transference: Freud's concept of transference - the phenomenon where patients transfer unresolved emotions and expectations onto their therapists - continues to be an essential aspect of psychotherapy and therapeutic relationships. The concept of countertransference - the therapist's transfer of emotions and expectations onto the therapy client - is an ongoing and necessary discussion in clinical supervision and case consultation.
8. The Significance of Sexuality in Human Development: Although Freud's theories of psychosexual development are not universally accepted, the recognition of sexuality as an influential force in human development has had a lasting impact on psychology. Sexuality is a major part of today's political climate as well, with ideas and counterideas about sexaul orientation and gender expression being heard across the political spectrum.
9. The Recognition of the Therapeutic Relationship: Freud emphasized the significance of the therapeutic relationship between therapist and client, emphasizing the importance of trust, empathy, and rapport, which remains central in various forms of therapy. Research has demonstrated that the therapeutic relationship is the most important aspect of therapy, even more so than the therapeutic approach taken with any individual client.
10. The Exploration of the Unconscious through Free Association: Freud's technique of free association, where patients speak freely without censorship, continues to be used in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapies to uncover unconscious material. Sometimes, therapists allow their clients to talk freely without direction to see where they end up. Other times, therapists will slightly guide their clients toward specific aspects of their treatment as they free associate.
11. The Recognition of the Complexity of Human Nature: Freud's theories highlighted the complexity and intricacies of human psychology, acknowledging that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are influenced by a variety of factors, including unconscious processes and early experiences. More than 100 years after Freud and we still don't understand the majority of these factors and how they impact human behavior, although through the application of modern technologies, we are learning a lot more.
12. The Use of Clinical Supervision as the Primary Training Pedagogy: Clinical supervision is to psychology and related approaches as grand rounds is to medicine. Psychologists develop skills in performing interventions (psychotherapy, assessment, supervision, consultation, etc.) by engaging in clinical supervision with a licensed senior professional. Freud was the first clinical supervisor, and this model remains intact today.

As you can see from this list, Sigmund Freud's positive contributions to psychology and psychotherapy are immense and lie in his pioneering work that emphasized the significance of the unconscious mind, the impact of early experiences on personality development, and the exploration of unconscious motivations and desires. He provided valuable insights into the complexity of human psychology and introduced concepts such as defense mechanisms, transference, and the therapeutic relationship that continue to be prominent today. Freud's ideas laid the foundation for psychodynamic approaches and influenced subsequent theories and therapeutic practices, fostering a deeper understanding of the unconscious processes and offering a framework for exploring and addressing psychological issues in therapy.