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Dec 5, 2025
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Understanding Freud's Theory: Insights Into Aggression
Demetra
@demetra_21
1 / 4
Freud's Core Ideas About the Mind
Your mind isn't just what you're consciously thinking right now - according to Freud, there's a massive unconscious mind that's actually running the show. Think of it like an iceberg where most of the action happens below the surface.
Freud believed we're all caught between wanting immediate pleasure (the pleasure principle) and having to deal with real-world limits (the reality principle). When these clash, we develop psychological issues called neuroses.
Your personality has three parts constantly battling it out: the id (your selfish desires), the superego (your moral conscience), and the ego (the referee trying to keep peace). The id wants what it wants NOW, the superego judges everything as right or wrong, and the ego tries to find compromises that won't get you into trouble.
Key Point: Freud believed your first five years of life shape your entire personality - no pressure on parents, right?
The Psychosexual Stages and Complexes
Freud argued that children go through five psychosexual stages, and getting stuck in any one can cause lifelong issues. The oral stage affects eating habits, the anal stage (potty training time) can make someone obsessively tidy, and the phallic stage gets seriously weird.
During the phallic stage, Freud claimed boys develop the Oedipus complex - essentially falling for their mums and seeing their dads as rivals. This creates castration anxiety (fear that dad will punish them). Girls supposedly experience the Elektra complex with their fathers, plus penis envy.
The latent period is when kids focus on friendships and social skills, while sexual feelings go dormant. Finally, the genital stage is when everything supposedly comes together in healthy adult relationships.
Remember: These ideas were developed over 100 years ago and many psychologists today find them outdated and problematic, especially regarding gender.
How This Explains Aggression
So how does all this psychological drama create aggression? When your id, ego, and superego can't get along, the resulting psychic energy has to go somewhere - often into aggressive behaviour.
Kids under five don't have fully formed superegos yet, which Freud said explains why they can be so aggressive. Adults with overpowering ids might lash out when they don't get what they want, while those with super-strong superegos might become aggressive from guilt and wanting punishment.
Defence mechanisms are your ego's coping strategies. Displacement means taking anger out on someone safe (yelling at your little brother instead of your teacher), repression blocks out disturbing thoughts, and sublimation channels aggression into acceptable activities like sports.
Freud also believed we have two opposing drives: Eros (life and love) and Thanatos (death and destruction). When Thanatos energy gets redirected outward, hello aggression! Catharsis - like watching violent films - supposedly lets you release this pent-up aggression safely.
Interesting Study: Feshbach and Singer found that boys who watched violent TV for six weeks were actually less aggressive than those who watched non-violent programmes - supporting the catharsis idea.
Strengths and Major Problems
Freud's approach did revolutionise mental health treatment, moving away from barbaric methods to more humane therapy. His theory attempts to explain seemingly senseless criminal behaviour and why aggression might run in families.
However, the problems are massive. The unconscious mind can't be measured or tested scientifically. Freud's ideas came mainly from studying wealthy, troubled patients in Vienna - hardly representative of everyone. His methods involved lots of subjective interpretation that other researchers couldn't replicate.
The theory struggles with real-world evidence too. If women supposedly have weaker superegos, why do men commit the vast majority of violent crimes? Many aggressive acts are carefully planned rather than irrational outbursts from unconscious forces.
Modern psychology has largely moved beyond Freud's specific ideas, though some concepts like unconscious processes and early childhood influence remain important. When comparing to biological explanations of aggression, Freud's approach lacks the scientific rigour of brain scans and controlled experiments.
Bottom Line: While historically significant, Freud's explanation of aggression is more interesting as a cultural artifact than a scientifically supported theory.
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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
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I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
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Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
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I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
Understanding Freud's Theory: Insights Into Aggression
Demetra
@demetra_21
Ever wondered why some people seem more aggressive than others, or why childhood experiences might shape how we behave as adults? Freud's psychodynamic theory offers a fascinating (if controversial) explanation for human aggression that traces everything back to our early... Show more
Freud's Core Ideas About the Mind
Your mind isn't just what you're consciously thinking right now - according to Freud, there's a massive unconscious mind that's actually running the show. Think of it like an iceberg where most of the action happens below the surface.
Freud believed we're all caught between wanting immediate pleasure (the pleasure principle) and having to deal with real-world limits (the reality principle). When these clash, we develop psychological issues called neuroses.
Your personality has three parts constantly battling it out: the id (your selfish desires), the superego (your moral conscience), and the ego (the referee trying to keep peace). The id wants what it wants NOW, the superego judges everything as right or wrong, and the ego tries to find compromises that won't get you into trouble.
Key Point: Freud believed your first five years of life shape your entire personality - no pressure on parents, right?
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The Psychosexual Stages and Complexes
Freud argued that children go through five psychosexual stages, and getting stuck in any one can cause lifelong issues. The oral stage affects eating habits, the anal stage (potty training time) can make someone obsessively tidy, and the phallic stage gets seriously weird.
During the phallic stage, Freud claimed boys develop the Oedipus complex - essentially falling for their mums and seeing their dads as rivals. This creates castration anxiety (fear that dad will punish them). Girls supposedly experience the Elektra complex with their fathers, plus penis envy.
The latent period is when kids focus on friendships and social skills, while sexual feelings go dormant. Finally, the genital stage is when everything supposedly comes together in healthy adult relationships.
Remember: These ideas were developed over 100 years ago and many psychologists today find them outdated and problematic, especially regarding gender.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
How This Explains Aggression
So how does all this psychological drama create aggression? When your id, ego, and superego can't get along, the resulting psychic energy has to go somewhere - often into aggressive behaviour.
Kids under five don't have fully formed superegos yet, which Freud said explains why they can be so aggressive. Adults with overpowering ids might lash out when they don't get what they want, while those with super-strong superegos might become aggressive from guilt and wanting punishment.
Defence mechanisms are your ego's coping strategies. Displacement means taking anger out on someone safe (yelling at your little brother instead of your teacher), repression blocks out disturbing thoughts, and sublimation channels aggression into acceptable activities like sports.
Freud also believed we have two opposing drives: Eros (life and love) and Thanatos (death and destruction). When Thanatos energy gets redirected outward, hello aggression! Catharsis - like watching violent films - supposedly lets you release this pent-up aggression safely.
Interesting Study: Feshbach and Singer found that boys who watched violent TV for six weeks were actually less aggressive than those who watched non-violent programmes - supporting the catharsis idea.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
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Strengths and Major Problems
Freud's approach did revolutionise mental health treatment, moving away from barbaric methods to more humane therapy. His theory attempts to explain seemingly senseless criminal behaviour and why aggression might run in families.
However, the problems are massive. The unconscious mind can't be measured or tested scientifically. Freud's ideas came mainly from studying wealthy, troubled patients in Vienna - hardly representative of everyone. His methods involved lots of subjective interpretation that other researchers couldn't replicate.
The theory struggles with real-world evidence too. If women supposedly have weaker superegos, why do men commit the vast majority of violent crimes? Many aggressive acts are carefully planned rather than irrational outbursts from unconscious forces.
Modern psychology has largely moved beyond Freud's specific ideas, though some concepts like unconscious processes and early childhood influence remain important. When comparing to biological explanations of aggression, Freud's approach lacks the scientific rigour of brain scans and controlled experiments.
Bottom Line: While historically significant, Freud's explanation of aggression is more interesting as a cultural artifact than a scientifically supported theory.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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English - inspector calls quotes and analysis
Quotes from every main character
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Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user