Freud’s theory was based on the retrospective accounts of his patients’ childhood. He got these retrospective accounts through two distinctive and extensive processes, over a long period of time. One method was known as transference: the analyst, usually Freud, and his patients would develop a parent-child relationship (Ethan R. Plaut, 2001). The patient would be the child and Freud, the parent. The analyst would usually have an enormous impact on the patient, which Freud used to access the patient’s unconscious. Another technique Freud used to analyze his patients was identified as free association (Ethan R. Plaut, 2001). Patients were able to open up their minds and say whatever it is in their brain. They connected from one topic to the next in a manner labelled as "association." This proved to be beneficial to Freud, since he could observe and listen to the patient without exerting any of his transference influence on the patient. The end goal would be for the analyst and the patient to come to a conclusion regarding the problem’s …show more content…
A few of his notions, while modified, are still in effect today. They include his speculations of defense mechanisms and the idea that some of us still carry Mommy & Daddy issues. He was heavily criticized given that (like many others in this approach) he lacked empirical psychology. His idea of penis envy for girls was challenged by feminist scholars such as Clara Thompson and Karen Horney. They contended that the penis was a depiction of the “greater power men had, compared to women, in the society (Naomi Zack, 2005, pg. 84).” Erik Erickson claimed that women had a positive body image and were content with their “inner space (Naomi Zack, 2005, p.85),” (a.k.a. wombs). There have been other criticisms, including the fact that Freud oversimplified the human mind and overemphasized sex (Ethan R. Plaut, 2001). Notably, Freud did admit to not being well-versed with female matters. Also, Freud was known for bulling his patients into accepting his explanations and ignoring counterevidence (Carole Wade & Carol Tavris,