A Freudian Approach in Film: Theory

FREUD THEORY IN CINEMA

Brief Example from Family Guy - FOX

Sigmund Freud; born in 1856 "was an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis, who created an entirely new approach to the understanding of the human personality. He is regarded as one of the most influential - and controversial - minds of the 20th century". His influence in the developments of psychoanalysis has influenced cinema today, through the theory of the 'self'. It is defined between three sections of the characteristics, of the personality - these are the 'Id', 'ego' & the 'super-ego'.

THE ID

"The id is driven by the pleasure principle, which strives for immediate gratification of all desires, wants, and needs." The id is often the 'bad influence' in the characteristics; often described as selfish as it's only concerned with its own self-satisfaction. Children are often used as key examples within this personality as they require instant gratification and are driven by their self-pleasure. It is predicted that the ID is the prominent personality, often overpowering the super-ego due to it's drive for self desire.

THE EGO

"The ego operates based on the reality principle, which strives to satisfy the id's desires in realistic and socially appropriate ways." The ego can learn to justify the good and bad between the ID and the Super-ego but make rational decisions accordingly, in order to seek mission in an appropriate manner. An example of this would be craving something to eat during a meeting, the id would try and influence you to get food then and there. The ego would justify and offer a comparable solution, i.e getting food after the meeting has finished - gaining some self-satisfaction.

THE SUPER-EGO

"The superego is the aspect of personality that holds all of our internalized moral standards and ideals that we acquire from both parents and society—our sense of right and wrong."  Part of the mind that the super-ego can control is the conscience, therefore if we do give into the power of the Id, we are left with the feelings of guilt and remorse by the super-ego.

COUNTER-ARGUEMENTS

Freud's theory is argued to whether it is still relevant in today's cinema/psychology. Part of this is due to Freud's personal traits, and whether he was a 'sexist' as his personality traits do differ between the two genders in the stages of development in which he described. "given the ways of his day, his culture of origin, and his nationality, it is easy to think of him in this way." (JournelPsyche, 2019).  Another counterargument is simply "with the development of several theories of the human personality Freud’s is no longer the only one with validity or relevance...Whether process oriented, developmental, biological, chemical, structured or philosophical"(JournelPsyche, 2019), as there is new evidence and ways to prove upon how the mind works, compared to the theory which was established almost a century ago.

Bibliography:

(Christian Falzon, 2002, Philosophy Goes To The Movies - An Introduction to philosophy, 11 New Fetter Lane, London, EC4P 4EE)

(BBC, 2014, [online], BBC - History - Sigmund Freud

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/freud_sigmund.shtml)

Journel Psyche, Accessed, 23rd January 2019, [online] - Is Freud's Personality Theory Still Relevant? http://journalpsyche.org/is-freud-still-relevant-today/

(Kendra Cherry, 2018, [online], What Are the Id, Ego, and Super-ego - The structural model of personality https://www.verywellmind.com/the-id-ego-and-superego-2795951).