1884: On Coca
Content: Freud examines the effects of cocaine, suggesting its potential therapeutic applications, notably as an anesthetic.
Theoretical Development: This early work reflects Freud's initial foray into neuropharmacology and his interest in the physiological underpinnings of psychological states.
1891: On Aphasia
Content: Investigates language disorders, proposing that aphasia results from disruptions in complex associative networks rather than localized brain lesions.
Theoretical Development: Demonstrates Freud's shift towards understanding the mind's structure and function, laying groundwork for his later exploration of unconscious processes.
1895: Studies on Hysteria (with Josef Breuer)
Content: Presents case studies, including that of "Anna O.," introducing the "talking cure" and the concept that repressed memories can manifest as physical symptoms.
Theoretical Development: Marks the inception of psychoanalysis, emphasizing the role of the unconscious and repression in neuroses.
1899 (Published 1900): The Interpretation of Dreams
Content: Introduces the idea that dreams are expressions of repressed desires and conflicts, serving as a "royal road" to understanding the unconscious.
Theoretical Development: Establishes foundational concepts such as the unconscious mind, wish fulfillment, and dream symbolism.
1901: The Psychopathology of Everyday Life
Content: Explores how everyday slips, forgetfulness, and errors (now termed "Freudian slips") reveal underlying unconscious motives.
Theoretical Development: Extends psychoanalytic theory to everyday behaviors, suggesting that the unconscious permeates all aspects of life.
1905:
Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality
Content: Outlines stages of psychosexual development (oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital) and introduces concepts like infantile sexuality and the Oedipus complex.
Theoretical Development: Proposes that early childhood experiences shape adult personality and behavior, emphasizing the centrality of sexual drives.
Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious
Content: Analyzes the structure and purpose of jokes, asserting they provide insight into unconscious desires and societal tensions.
Theoretical Development: Demonstrates how the mechanisms of joke formation parallel those of dreams, further elucidating unconscious processes.
Fragment of an Analysis of a Case of Hysteria (Dora case)
Content: Details the case of "Dora," a young woman with hysteria, highlighting the dynamics of transference and resistance in therapy.
Theoretical Development: Emphasizes the importance of transference in the therapeutic relationship and the challenges of addressing unconscious conflicts.
1907: Delusion and Dream in Jensen's Gradiva
Content: Applies psychoanalytic interpretation to Wilhelm Jensen's novella "Gradiva," exploring themes of repression and the return of the repressed.
Theoretical Development: Illustrates the applicability of psychoanalytic concepts to literature and cultural artifacts.
1909:
Analysis of a Phobia in a Five-Year-Old Boy (Little Hans)
Content: Examines the case of "Little Hans," a child with a horse phobia, interpreted through the lens of the Oedipus complex and castration anxiety.
Theoretical Development: Provides empirical support for the universality of psychosexual stages and the Oedipus complex in child development.
Notes upon a Case of Obsessional Neurosis (Rat Man)
Content: Investigates the obsessive thoughts and rituals of the "Rat Man," linking them to unconscious conflicts and repressed impulses.
Theoretical Development: Elucidates the mechanisms of obsessional neurosis and the role of unconscious guilt and aggression.
1910: Leonardo da Vinci, A Memory of His Childhood
Content: Psychoanalytic biography of Leonardo, interpreting his art and life through concepts of sublimation and repressed homosexuality.
Theoretical Development: Explores the role of sublimation in creative genius and the influence of childhood experiences on adult achievements.
1913: Totem and Taboo
Content: Draws parallels between the rituals of "primitive" societies and neurotic behaviors, proposing that societal taboos originate from repressed desires.
Theoretical Development: Extends psychoanalytic theory to anthropology, suggesting that collective human behavior mirrors individual psychodynamic processes.
1914: On Narcissism: An Introduction
Content: Introduces the concept of narcissism, differentiating between primary (self-love) and secondary (object-love) narcissism, and discusses its role in ego development.
Theoretical Development: Serves as a bridge between Freud's earlier topographical model and his later structural model of the psyche, highlighting the complexities of self-regard and object relations.
1915–1917: Introductory Lectures on Psycho-Analysis
Content: A series of lectures providing a comprehensive overview of psychoanalytic theory, including the unconscious, dreams, and neuroses.
Theoretical Development: Consolidates and disseminates Freud's theories to a broader audience, clarifying complex concepts and addressing criticisms.
1917: Mourning and Melancholia
Content: Distinguishes between normal grief (mourning) and pathological grief (melancholia), analyzing the unconscious processes involved in each.
Theoretical Development: Introduces the idea that melancholia involves an unconscious loss and self-directed aggression, contributing to the understanding of depression.
1919: The Uncanny
Content: Explores the concept of the uncanny (das Unheimliche), describing it as something familiar yet foreign, causing discomfort and eerie feelings.
Theoretical Development: Applies psychoanalytic principles to aesthetics and literature, influencing subsequent studies in psychology and the arts.
1920: Beyond the Pleasure Principle
Content: Introduces the concepts of the death drive (Thanatos) and the repetition compulsion, suggesting that not all behaviors are motivated by the pursuit of pleasure.
Theoretical Development: Represents a significant evolution in Freud's thinking, challenging earlier notions that the pleasure principle solely governs human behavior.
1921: Group Psychology and the Analysis of the Ego
Content: Examines the dynamics of groups and the influence of the group on individual psychology, drawing parallels between group behavior and the hypnotic state.
Theoretical Development: Extends psychoanalytic theory to social psychology, exploring how individual ego functions are influenced by group dynamics.
1923: The Ego and the Id
Content: Outlines the structural model of the psyche, dividing it into the id (primitive desires), ego (realistic mediator), and superego (moral conscience), and discusses their interactions.
Theoretical Development: Provides a more dynamic understanding of the human psyche, building upon and refining earlier topographical models.
1926 Inhibitions, Symptoms and Anxiety (originally Hemmung, Symptom und Angst)
1927: The Future of an Illusion
Content: Critiques religion as an illusion, arguing that religious beliefs are rooted in human psychological needs and wishes.
Theoretical Development: Applies psychoanalytic concepts to broader cultural and societal phenomena, reflecting Freud's interest in the intersection of psychology and culture.
1930: Civilization and Its Discontents
Content: Explores the tension between individual desires and the demands of civilization, discussing how societal norms can lead to human unhappiness.
Theoretical Development: Considers the psychological cost of civilization's progress, reflecting Freud's contemplation on human nature and society.
1933: New Introductory Lectures on Psycho-Analysis
Content: Updates and expands upon his earlier introductory lectures, addressing new developments in psychoanalytic theory and technique.
Theoretical Development: Demonstrates Freud's ongoing commitment to refining and disseminating psychoanalytic knowledge.
1939: Moses and Monotheism
Content: Presents a psychoanalytic interpretation of the biblical figure Moses, suggesting he was of Egyptian origin and exploring the implications for Jewish identity.
Theoretical Development: Reflects Freud's interest in religion and cultural identity, applying psychoanalytic insights to historical and religious narratives.