Why Do We Still Teach Freud If He Was So Wrong?

SciShow Psych
23 May 201905:55
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThis SciShow Psyche episode explores Sigmund Freud's controversial yet influential theories, highlighting their historical significance in psychology. It discusses Freud's ideas on unconscious influences and psychodynamic therapy, noting their impact on modern attachment theory and the ongoing debate over their validity in contemporary psychological practice.

Takeaways
  • 🧠 Freud's Influence: Sigmund Freud was an Austrian neurologist who popularized many psychological ideas, some of which are still supported today.
  • 🤔 The 'Anal' Insult: The term 'anal' used to describe someone rigid and organized comes from Freud's theory of anal retentive fixation, which is now considered dubious.
  • 👶 Childhood Experiences: Freud believed that childhood experiences, particularly during potty training, could influence adult behavior, an idea that has been debunked but still holds some relevance in modern psychology.
  • 👻 Unconscious Mind: Freud popularized the concept of the unconscious mind, which has been foundational to psychological research and modern attachment theory.
  • 🔍 Freudian Therapy: Despite many of Freud's theories being outdated, some forms of psychodynamic therapy derived from his work have shown effectiveness in certain contexts.
  • 📚 Historical Context: Freud's work is taught in psychology classes to provide historical context and to debunk misconceptions that have arisen from his theories.
  • 📈 Effectiveness of Therapy: Meta-analyses have shown that psychodynamic therapy can be effective, especially when compared to non-talk therapies, but results vary widely.
  • 🏫 Educating Students: Psychology professors aim to clarify the validity of Freud's theories to prepare students to discern fact from fiction in other academic disciplines.
  • 🎬 Cross-Disciplinary Relevance: Freud's work is not only discussed in psychology but also in other humanities courses, emphasizing the need for a clear understanding of his contributions and limitations.
  • 🌐 Curiosity Stream Promotion: The episode is sponsored by Curiosity Stream, a streaming service offering documentaries and nonfiction titles that promote learning and curiosity.
Q & A

  • What is the origin of the term 'anal' as an insult for someone who is rigid and organized?

    -The term 'anal' as an insult comes from Sigmund Freud's work, specifically from the concept of 'anal retentive fixation,' which he believed was a result of unresolved conflicts during potty training.

  • Why is Freud's work still discussed in psychology classes despite being considered largely incorrect?

    -Freud's work is still discussed because he got some important concepts right that laid the foundation for future research, and psychologists aim to debunk the misconceptions he started while also acknowledging his historical impact on the field.

  • What are some of the ideas Freud proposed that are still supported today?

    -Freud's idea that childhood experiences can influence adult behavior is still supported today, and it has evolved into modern attachment theory, which examines how early relationships with caregivers can affect later life relationships.

  • What are some of the more controversial or 'out there' ideas proposed by Freud?

    -Freud proposed several controversial ideas, such as the focus on erogenous zones during development, the Oedipus complex where children work through sexual frustrations with their opposite sex parent, and the concept of 'penis envy' in women.

  • How has Freud's psychoanalytic therapy been evaluated in terms of effectiveness?

    -Some meta-analyses have shown that psychoanalytic or psychodynamic therapy can be effective for a variety of disorders, especially when compared to non-talk therapies, although its effectiveness varies and is often debated.

  • What is the historical significance of Freud in the field of psychology?

    -Freud was significant historically because he popularized the idea of the unconscious mind and its influence on behavior, which became foundational for future research and theories in psychology.

  • Why do professors feel the need to point out which of Freud's ideas are incorrect?

    -Professors need to clarify which of Freud's ideas are incorrect to provide accurate historical context and to dispel misconceptions that students might have, especially since Freud's ideas have been widely popularized and discussed outside of psychology.

  • How prevalent is the discussion of Freud's work across different academic disciplines?

    -A 2008 study found that 86% of courses referencing psychoanalysis were taught outside of psychology departments, indicating that Freud's work is a common topic across various humanities disciplines.

  • What is the role of 'Curiosity Stream' in relation to this SciShow Psych episode?

    -Curiosity Stream is the sponsor of this episode of SciShow Psych. They offer a subscription-based streaming service with a vast library of documentaries and nonfiction titles, which aligns with the show's theme of curiosity and learning.

  • What is the promotional offer provided by Curiosity Stream for SciShow Psych viewers?

    -SciShow Psych viewers can get a 31-day free trial of Curiosity Stream by visiting curiositystream.com/psych and using the promo code 'psych' during the signup process. After the trial, the subscription costs $2.99 per month.

  • Why is it important for students to learn about Freud in psychology classes even if some of his theories are outdated or incorrect?

    -Learning about Freud in psychology classes is important for understanding the historical development of the field, recognizing the evolution of psychological theories, and being able to discern fact from fiction when encountering his ideas in other courses or contexts.

Outlines
00:00
🧠 Freud's Influence on Psychology

This paragraph discusses the impact of Sigmund Freud on psychology, focusing on the origin of the term 'anal' in relation to personality traits and Freud's theories on anal retentive fixation. It critiques the validity of Freud's ideas, particularly his psychoanalytic theory, and acknowledges that while some of his concepts have been debunked, others have laid the groundwork for modern psychological theories such as attachment theory. The paragraph also touches on the historical significance of Freud's work and the reasons why it is still taught in psychology classes, including the influence of the unconscious mind and the effectiveness of psychodynamic therapy in some cases.

05:00
🌟 CuriosityStream: Expanding Knowledge

The second paragraph shifts focus to the sponsor of the episode, CuriosityStream, a subscription-based streaming service offering a vast library of documentaries and nonfiction content. It highlights a specific documentary called 'Light on Earth' about bioluminescence, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, as an example of the high-quality content available. The paragraph promotes a special offer for a free 31-day trial of CuriosityStream by using the promo code 'psych' during sign-up, emphasizing the value of the service for learning and its support for SciShow.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Curiosity Stream
Curiosity Stream is a subscription-based streaming service that offers a wide range of documentaries and nonfiction titles. In the video, it is mentioned as a sponsor, emphasizing its role in supporting the production of educational content. The service is highlighted for its high-quality content from renowned filmmakers, such as the documentary 'Light on Earth' narrated by Sir David Attenborough.
💡Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud was an Austrian neurologist who is widely known for his contributions to the field of psychology, particularly in the areas of psychoanalysis. The video discusses Freud's influence on psychology, both in terms of his correct and incorrect theories. His work is a central theme of the video, as it explores the historical context and the impact of his ideas on modern psychology.
💡Anal retentive fixation
Anal retentive fixation is a concept from Freudian psychology, which suggests that unresolved conflicts during potty training can lead to certain personality traits such as stubbornness and rigidity. The video uses this term to illustrate the origin of the colloquial insult 'anal,' and to critique Freud's theories, noting that they are considered 'kind of bogus' in contemporary psychology.
💡Unconscious mind
The unconscious mind, as popularized by Freud, refers to the part of the human psyche that operates outside of conscious awareness but influences thoughts and behaviors. The video explains that while Freud was not the first to introduce this concept, he was influential in developing theories around it. Modern attachment theory, which suggests that early childhood experiences with caregivers can affect later relationship development, is said to have grown directly from Freud's ideas about the unconscious mind.
💡Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis is a therapeutic method developed by Freud that involves deep exploration of the patient's unconscious thoughts and feelings through talk therapy. The video mentions that while Freud's theories are largely abandoned, some forms of psychoanalysis, or psychodynamic therapy, have been shown to be effective in certain contexts, as demonstrated by meta-analyses of various studies.
💡Erogenous zones
Erogenous zones are areas of the body that are sensitive to sexual stimulation. Freud proposed a theory of psychosexual development that focused on different erogenous zones at various stages of a child's life, such as the mouth and anus. The video critiques this aspect of Freud's theory as being 'kind of out there' and not supported by current psychological understanding.
💡Penis envy
Penis envy is a Freudian concept suggesting that women may experience feelings of jealousy or lack due to not having a penis. The video uses this term to highlight some of the more controversial and less accepted aspects of Freud's theories, indicating that they can seem 'weird or even harmful' in the context of modern psychology.
💡Meta-analysis
A meta-analysis is a statistical technique used to combine the results of multiple studies to draw overall conclusions. The video references meta-analyses that have evaluated the effectiveness of psychodynamic therapy, showing that it can be effective depending on the comparison group, but also noting the variability in study outcomes.
💡Attachment theory
Attachment theory is a psychological framework that describes the dynamics of long-term interpersonal relationships as they are influenced by a person's childhood experiences with caregivers. The video explains that modern attachment theory evolved from Freud's ideas about the unconscious mind and early experiences, suggesting that these formative years can shape how individuals form relationships later in life.
💡Psychodynamic therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is a type of talk therapy that is rooted in Freudian principles, focusing on exploring unconscious processes and early life experiences to understand current behaviors and emotions. The video mentions that while Freud's specific theories are not widely accepted today, psychodynamic therapy has shown some effectiveness in certain studies, indicating that elements of Freud's approach may still be relevant.
💡Historical context
Historical context refers to the background and circumstances in which events, ideas, or works have developed. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding Freud's work within its historical context to appreciate how psychology has evolved and to recognize the contributions and limitations of his theories.
Highlights

The term 'anal' used to describe someone rigid and organized originates from Freud's work on anal retentive fixation.

Freud's concept of anal retentive fixation is considered outdated and incorrect by modern psychology.

Freud's influence on psychology includes the idea that childhood experiences can shape adult behavior, which is still supported today.

Freud was one of the first to discuss the unconscious mind without invoking supernatural explanations.

Modern attachment theory has evolved from Freud's ideas about the influence of early relationships.

Psychodynamic therapy, derived from Freud's psychoanalysis, has shown some effectiveness in certain meta-analyses.

A 2012 meta-analysis found psychoanalytic therapy to be somewhat effective for various disorders compared to non-talk therapies.

A 2008 meta-analysis indicated that longer-term psychodynamic therapy was generally more beneficial for personality functioning and symptom reduction.

Freud's theories are still taught to provide historical context and to debunk misconceptions in psychology.

Psychologists aim to clarify which of Freud's ideas are incorrect to students who come into courses with preconceived notions.

Freud's work is not only taught in psychology but also across various humanities disciplines.

Students are encouraged to distinguish fact from fiction when encountering Freud's theories in different academic contexts.

CuriosityStream is a subscription-based streaming service offering documentaries and nonfiction titles, including those on bioluminescence narrated by Sir David Attenborough.

CuriosityStream supports SciShow, and viewers can get a free 31-day trial by signing up with the promo code 'psych'.

The subscription to CuriosityStream costs $2.99 per month after the free trial.

Transcripts

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PsychologyFreudMythsTherapyAttachmentUnconsciousHistorical ContextPsychoanalysisCuriosityStreamEducational