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Chapter 2: Problem 4

(a) Did Freud regard at least some of his ideas and constructs as truths that deserved to remain unchallenged for a long time? (b) What is the difference between a construct and a fact? (c) Given this difference, is it likely that Freud's constructs would be as enduring as he hoped?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Freud likely believed in the value of his theories, although he understood they could be challenged. A construct is a theoretical concept developed to explain certain behaviors, unlike a fact which is an observable, proven truth. Given the subjectivity of constructs, Freud's constructs' enduring nature would likely not be as he hoped, despite their influence in the field of psychoanalysis.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Freud's Perception

The argument that Freud regarded some of his theories and constructs as truths that should remain unchallenged for an extended period is largely subjective, depending on the interpretation of his writings. Although it is evident that Freud defended his theories fiercely, it is also clear he was open to criticisms and revisions, as indicated by his revisions and advancements in psychoanalytic theory. So, in essence, Freud believed that his theories held value and truth but also knew that they could be challenged.
02

Differentiating Construct from Fact

A construct is a theoretical concept developed to understand or explain certain behaviors or phenomena, whereas a fact is a statement that can be proven true or false and is based on real occurrences. For example, 'ego', 'superego', and 'id' are constructs in Freud's theory, as they represent theoretical ideas that help explain human behavior. They cannot be empirically tested and proven beyond doubt. On the other hand, statements such as 'Freud was born in 1856' is a fact, it's objective and verifiable information that doesn't change based on perspective.
03

Assessing The Endurance of Freud's Constructs

Given the difference between a construct and a fact, it’s unlikely that Freud's constructs would be as enduring as he hoped. Constructs, unlike facts, are subjective, often contested, and open to revision. Also, they are influenced by culture, time, and advancements in knowledge and techniques. Despite these, Freud's constructs have been influential in shaping psychological and psychoanalytic thinking, hence their endurance in academic discussions and practices.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

A terrorist blows up a building in a hated foreign country. How might Freud use the concepts of id, ego, and superego to explain this behavior?

How might Freud's personality and life experiences have influenced: (a) his conclusions regarding the Oedipus complex? (b) his belief that nearly all of personality is unconscious?

The author of a popular textbook on introductory psychology (which I use when I teach that course) concludes that the following evidence disproves Freud's construct of repression: "Shouldn't we expect children who have witnessed a parent's murder to repress the experience? A study of sixteen 5 - to 10 -year-old children who had this horrific experience found that not one repressed the memory. Shouldn't survivors of Nazi death camps have banished the atrocities from consciousness? With rare exceptions, they remember all too well." (D. G. Myers, 2006 pp. \(604-605\) ). Why is the author's conclusion incorrect?

Give an example from your own life of the superego being overly demanding and cruel to the ego.

Explain how the concept of resistance can be viewed both as a major contribution to our knowledge and as a way for Freud to protect his theory against attack.
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