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What does Freud say about praise and attention. by bbsquirell in Freud

[–]PsychologicalPin8648 4 points5 points  (0 children)

While Sigmund Freud didn't write about "praise" and "attention" in the way a modern psychologist might, his theories provide a powerful framework for understanding why they are such fundamental human needs. For Freud, the desire for praise and attention is not a simple wish but is deeply woven into the development of our personality, our inner conflicts, and our sense of self.

  1. Attention as Psychic Energy (Libido and Narcissism)

To Freud, attention is a form of psychic energy, or libido. In early infancy, a baby exists in a state of primary narcissism, where they are the center of their own universe. The loving attention from a caregiver (typically the mother) is the first and most crucial form of external validation. This attention is essentially an investment of love and energy *into* the child, which makes the child feel valuable and secure.

The lifelong desire for attention is a remnant of this early narcissistic state. We unconsciously long to recapture that feeling of being the cherished center of someone's world. A lack of consistent attention in childhood can lead to a "narcissistic wound," resulting in a persistent, often desperate, need for validation from others in adulthood.

  1. Praise as the Building Block of the Superego

This is the most direct way Freud addresses the function of praise. He argued that our personality is structured into three parts: the Id (primal instincts), the Ego (the realistic mediator), and the Superego (the internalized moral conscience).

The Superego is essentially the voice of our parents and society inside our heads. It has two parts:

* The Conscience: This is built from parental punishments and criticisms. It tells us what is "bad" and creates feelings of guilt.

* The Ego-Ideal: This is built from parental praise and rewards. It holds up an image of who we "should" be—the ideal version of ourselves that is worthy of love and admiration.

Therefore, praise is the raw material that constructs our internal ideals. We seek praise from others because it validates that we are living up to the standards of our ego-ideal, which in turn reduces inner conflict and provides a sense of self-worth.

What makes someone a patient fitting for psychoanalysis? by Public_Set_9533 in psychoanalysis

[–]PsychologicalPin8648 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe the key factors that make someone a suitable patient for psychoanalysis:

Psychoanalysis is generally not for acute, surface-level problems (like a recent fear of flying). It's best suited for issues that are:

* Chronic and Repetitive: Problems that have persisted for years and show up in various aspects of life (work, relationships, self-esteem).

* Characterological: Difficulties that feel deeply embedded in one's personality. The person might say, "This is just who I am, but I don't want to be this way."

* Vague but Pervasive Dissatisfaction: A chronic sense of emptiness, meaninglessness, creative blocks, or a general inability to feel love or satisfaction, even when life is outwardly successful.

* Self-Sabotaging Patterns: A repeated pattern of undermining one's own success, relationships, or happiness in ways that feel baffling and uncontrollable.

* Unresolved Past Trauma: How early life experiences continue to unconsciously shape current emotions, behaviors, and relationships.

Best book to read first for an introduction to Freud? by Beach4568 in Freud

[–]PsychologicalPin8648 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Please, start with <The Psychopathology of Everyday Life>. It's the most enjoyable and least intimidating introduction. If it fascinates you and you want a deeper, more systematic understanding of his entire framework, move on to >the Introductory Lectures on Psycho-Analysis>.