How does Freud view deviant behavior?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, had a complex view of deviant behavior, which he believed stemmed from the unconscious mind and unresolved psychological conflicts. Freud's perspective on deviance can be understood through his model of the human psyche, which he divided into three parts: the id, the ego, and the superego.

1. The Id: According to Freud, the id is the primitive and instinctual part of the mind that contains sexual and aggressive drives and hidden memories. It operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification of its desires without considering the consequences.

2. The Ego: The ego is the realistic part that mediates between the desires of the id and the morals of the superego. It operates on the reality principle, trying to satisfy the id's desires in a socially acceptable way.

3. The Superego: The superego incorporates the values and morals of society which are learned from one's parents and others. It works to suppress the urges of the id and tries to make the ego act upon idealistic standards rather than upon realistic principles.

Freud believed that deviant behavior occurs when there is an imbalance between these three parts of the psyche. For example:

- If the id becomes too strong, an individual may engage in behavior that seeks immediate gratification without regard for societal norms or the rights of others, which could manifest as criminal or deviant acts.

- If the ego is weak, it may not be effective in managing the demands of the id and the prohibitions of the superego, leading to inappropriate or socially unacceptable behavior.

- If the superego is too strong or too rigid, it can lead to feelings of guilt and anxiety, which may result in neurotic behavior or other psychological issues.

Freud also believed that unresolved conflicts during any of the psychosexual stages of development could lead to fixation and eventually to deviant behavior. For instance, a person who is fixated at the oral stage might engage in behaviors such as smoking or overeating, while fixation at the phallic stage might result in deviant sexual behavior.

In summary, Freud viewed deviant behavior as a manifestation of an unresolved conflict within the individual's psyche, often stemming from childhood experiences and the failure to properly navigate through the stages of psychosexual development. He believed that through psychoanalytic therapy, individuals could uncover and work through these unconscious conflicts, thereby reducing or eliminating their deviant behaviors.

How Does Freud View Deviant Behavior