Video:Overview of the Structure of the Mind According to Freud
with Dr. Jean LeahyFreud's structure of the mind is well known for his ideas about the id, ego and super ego. This psychology video from About.com will delve further into Freud's structure of the mind.See Transcript
Transcript:Overview of the Structure of the Mind According to Freud
My name is Dr. Jean Leahy. I'm a clinical psychologist in private practice in Chicago, and I'm here today with About.com. Today we're going to talk about Freud's structure of the mind.
Basics of Freud's Structure of the Mind
Freud was an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis. Freud created a structural model of the psyche. The id, ego, and super ego. The id focuses on needs and wishes, the ego focuses on reality, and the super ego focuses on what is right.
The Conscious Mind
To go further, Freud divided the mind into the conscious and unconscious. Within the conscious mind, we're able to readily access our thoughts and feelings. Memory exists in the conscious mind where we can readily access it, and also in the unconscious mind.
Freud's Interest in the Unconscious Mind
The unconscious mind houses feelings, thoughts and urges that we are unaware of. Potentially threatening and uncomfortable for us, yet they still influence our behavior. Freud was particularly interested in the unconscious mind, because he felt it gave clues to what was really happening inside his patients.
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