Freudianism, as a psychological direction, was formed at the beginning of the 20th century, although psychoanalysis existed earlier. Everyone who is interested in this trend needs to know that there is a personality structure according to Freud. Actually, this will be discussed in this article.
Sigmund Freud’s book “I and It” gives a detailed analysis of each element of the described structure. There are three of them:
- Eid (or “It”) is the initial component of our psyche. “She“ follows the lead ”of our lowest aspirations, as well as primary needs,” Sigmund Freud explains. The psychology of a newborn child consists precisely of the beginning of the Eid. That is, until he knows what there are moral principles, morality, norms of behavior, he is guided only by purely animal instincts. The structure of personality according to Freud suggests the focus of sexual energy in the element of It. And children, just born into the world, possess it too. While it manifests itself when the baby is sucking mother’s milk, as well as in other minor aspects of life. It should be noted at the same time that at an early stage of life, attraction is asexual (that is, a person did not realize either his gender or the gender of others).
- Ego (or "I"). It is an intermediate state of Eid and Super-Ego. The personality structure according to Freud does not give an exact value for the age when this element should begin to form. As, for example, children begin to speak and walk in different ways, so the Ego manifests itself individually. Roughly speaking, this process can be observed when the child enters a conscious age. Parents tell him that in order to go to the toilet, you need to sit on the potty. Or that people should not be pointed with a finger. Often a child does not understand why certain rules are required of him - during this period there is a strong struggle between the Eid and the Ego.
- Super-Ego (“Superego”). Along with all of the above, the child begins to realize his gender identity. On the one hand, he is embarrassed by this, and on the other, he sees reason for pride. His sexuality begins to take shape, but almost always its manifestation (in the form of masturbation) is sharply suppressed and disapproved by parents. In addition to this, the child begins to identify with one of the parents. The unconscious desire for incest, as well as its impossibility, force the child to adopt all the qualities of the parents, their model of behavior. At the same time, boys strive to become like their father, and girls like their mother. Thus, the formation of the Super Ego takes place.
It is at an early age that the model of parents' behavior, their habits and the manner of communicating with the child play a huge role. In addition, the influence, moreover, very important, is the influence of society. Those moral qualities that were formed in the child during this period will form the basis of his personality throughout his life. Very rarely, they can undergo change, even conscious. The Super Ego is also a conscience. Therefore, the correct methods of education in early childhood are very important.
All these elements exist in close interconnection with each other. This is the structure of personality according to Freud.