Assess Freud’s Contribution to the Sociological Understanding of ‘the Self’.
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Assess Freud’s contribution to the sociological understanding of ‘the self’.
Sigmund Freud is without a doubt one of the most famous and controversial psychologist in history. His nephew Edward Bernays and his daughter Anna have also made names for themselves in the academic world in the field of psychology. Their ideas have influenced the world in many forms and their ideas still hold sway today. All have contributed to a better understanding of the self. Concepts such as the ‘unconscious’ and ‘libido’ were popularized by Freud. I will explain clearly his theories on human nature and psychoanalysis and show how it has influenced society and thus sociology. The concept of ‘the self’ has always been of great relevance to philosophers and sociologists, they have reflected on this notion over the course of history because it is the self that reflects society.
‘Society exists out of individuals and is influenced through the actions of individuals thereby creating groups, organizations, networks, and institutions. And, reciprocally, society influences the self through its shared language and meanings that enable a person to take the role of the other, engage in social interaction, and reflect upon oneself as an object. The latter process of reflexivity constitutes the core of selfhood.’ (Stets, J. E., & Burke, P. J.,2005)
In this essay I will analyze Freud’s concept of the self and explain in clarity what he meant with the ego, id, and the super-ego and how they interact together. As sociologists we try to understand society by studying patterns en developments. In this essay I will try to determine a connection between Freud’s conception of the self and the accelerated sociological processes of individualization we have witnessed since the 20th century. Capitalism and consumerism have transformed cultures and developed new ‘selves’. The term ‘century of the self’ has often been associated with modern times. What has Bernays contributed to a sociological...
Sigmund Freud is without a doubt one of the most famous and controversial psychologist in history. His nephew Edward Bernays and his daughter Anna have also made names for themselves in the academic world in the field of psychology. Their ideas have influenced the world in many forms and their ideas still hold sway today. All have contributed to a better understanding of the self. Concepts such as the ‘unconscious’ and ‘libido’ were popularized by Freud. I will explain clearly his theories on human nature and psychoanalysis and show how it has influenced society and thus sociology. The concept of ‘the self’ has always been of great relevance to philosophers and sociologists, they have reflected on this notion over the course of history because it is the self that reflects society.
‘Society exists out of individuals and is influenced through the actions of individuals thereby creating groups, organizations, networks, and institutions. And, reciprocally, society influences the self through its shared language and meanings that enable a person to take the role of the other, engage in social interaction, and reflect upon oneself as an object. The latter process of reflexivity constitutes the core of selfhood.’ (Stets, J. E., & Burke, P. J.,2005)
In this essay I will analyze Freud’s concept of the self and explain in clarity what he meant with the ego, id, and the super-ego and how they interact together. As sociologists we try to understand society by studying patterns en developments. In this essay I will try to determine a connection between Freud’s conception of the self and the accelerated sociological processes of individualization we have witnessed since the 20th century. Capitalism and consumerism have transformed cultures and developed new ‘selves’. The term ‘century of the self’ has often been associated with modern times. What has Bernays contributed to a sociological...