Sigmund Freud
Definition
Sigmund Freud was an Austrian neurologist who founded psychoanalysis, a clinical method for treating psychopathology through dialogue between a patient and a psychoanalyst. His theories on the unconscious mind, mechanisms of repression, and the importance of childhood experiences have profoundly influenced the social sciences and humanities.
Analogy
Understanding Freud's contribution to sociology is like unraveling a complex mystery novel where each character's backstory explains their motivations and behaviors. Just as a detective pieces together clues to solve a case, Freud believed that uncovering the hidden parts of our psyche could explain human behavior and social interaction.
Related terms
Psychoanalysis: A therapeutic approach that seeks to explore beneath the surface of an individual's consciousness to uncover hidden impulses and memories.
Unconscious Mind: A part of the mind that contains thoughts, memories, and desires not within one's current awareness but influencing emotions and behavior.
Repression: A defense mechanism where unpleasant thoughts, feelings, or desires are excluded from conscious awareness
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