Activity 4:

Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory

Freud's Case Studies

Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, conducted several influential case studies throughout his career. These case studies played a pivotal role in the development of psychoanalytic theory and the understanding of human psychology

Some of the most famous and significant case studies conducted by Freud include:

Anna O. (Bertha Pappenheim)

Although this case study was not conducted by Freud himself, it was one of the early cases that influenced his thinking. Anna O. was treated by Freud's colleague, Josef Breuer, and her treatment became the basis for some of Freud's ideas. She suffered from symptoms that were eventually attributed to psychological causes, and her treatment involved the "talking cure," which laid the foundation for psychoanalytic therapy.

Little Hans (Herbert Graf)

The case of Little Hans is one of Freud's most well-known case studies. It involved a young boy named Herbert Graf, whose phobia of horses and other symptoms were analyzed by Freud. Freud argued that Little Hans's phobia was a manifestation of the Oedipus complex, a central concept in psychoanalysis.

Dora (Ida Bauer)

The case of Dora, whose real name was Ida Bauer, is another famous case study. Dora was a teenage girl who sought treatment from Freud for various psychological issues. Her case is significant because it provided insights into Freud's ideas about sexuality, repression, and unconscious motives.

Rat Man (Ernst Lanzer)

Freud analyzed the case of a man known as the "Rat Man" who was plagued by obsessive thoughts and compulsions. This case study delved into themes of anxiety, neurosis, and the role of unconscious desires in shaping behavior.

Wolf Man (Sergei Pankejeff)

Sergei Pankejeff, known as the "Wolf Man," sought treatment from Freud for recurring dreams and psychological distress. Freud's analysis of his case explored themes related to childhood trauma and the interpretation of dreams.

These case studies served as clinical examples that Freud used to develop and illustrate his theories on the structure of the mind, defense mechanisms, psychosexual development, and the role of the unconscious in psychological disorders. While Freud's theories and methods have been subject to criticism and revision over the years, his case studies remain significant in the history of psychology and have contributed to the evolution of psychoanalytic thought. They continue to be studied and discussed in the field of psychology and psychoanalysis.

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