did Freud develop his psycho sexual development theory without studying children?

Question

some critics argue that freud who developed "psycho sexual development "theory , never himself studied the early childhood experiences of children but relied on his adult patients' recollections,free association and dreams. is there any truth in that criticism?

Answer 1

Although it is true that Freud would have largely concentrated on adult patients - he was especailly interested in pshcizophrenia (its causes and treatment), there is no doubt that Freud would have come in to contact with children (some of whom I am sure were unwell). But Freud's theories are extremely complicated and not easy to understand - even by those who study psycohology. In fact many who do study psychology do not take the time to actually read Freud's own work - but instead rely on the interpretation and conclusions of others. Another difficulty is that Freud was Austrian and wrote in Aus-deutsch. So translations of his work can also be open to misinterpretation.

But his commentary that childhood experiences affect adult psychology is groundbreaking in itself!! He literally flipped the knowledge at the time and of course it is really his theories on the Conscious, the unconscious, the ID and the Super-ego (all groundbreaking and original) that he MUST be recognized for. He didn't have all the answers (no-one does) but without his work - no-one in contemproary psychology would be where they are now.

Answer 2

I am not an expert, but I do have a degree in psychology and have studied this extensively. I believe that Freud's psychosexual stages all have a basis in fact. I think he set up an "outline" of sexual development. The detail and explanations he gives are probably his "best guess." Remember that psychology was in its infancy at that time. He saw so many patients that he probably had exposure to people who fit strictly within his definitions and criteria, further justifying his beliefs in his views. I believe that he probably figured that everyone else could be "typed," in a rough or loose way, according to this outline. To imply that everyone has to go through these stages or get stuck is, in my opinion, egotistical on his part. Just because he was the be all and end all of his time and the father of psychology doesn't mean he was perfect or even anywhere in the ball park. (I reference the id, ego, and superego.) Oedipus and c. anxiety were probably themes he saw, to some degree or another, part of the desires and fears of his patients. But how will we ever really know? I don't believe that any of these ideas can be "proven" in time or with further research. If we use history as a guide, his ideas could be viewed as part of the foundation of the science, which seems like a much more plausible idea than taking them in the literal sense.

Answer 3

Well, although I am no expert, I never recall Freud actually studying young children. He really only worked on adults and through dream interpretation and "talk therapy" he came up with most of his theories.
Also he was really biased about what he discovered from his patients. For instance, one patient claimed that she was abused sexually as a child and her symptoms were similar to that of his own sister. But because he did not want to think that his own father was a pedophile he came to believe that his patients were simply wanting to have a sexual experience with their parent (i.e. oedipus rex/electra complex). A lot Freudians afterwards also primarily focused on adults rather than children.

Answer 4

i studied freud in college and believe me when i tell you that Freud did study his children the early childhood experiences of his children. he also abused his daughters sexually. he was a man of many psycho problems himself. i have to admit that when i studied him college that this bit of information surprised me until we went deeper into our study of him. he was indeed a very sick man in his mind.

Answer 5

Freud's sexual theorys were based on his own neurotic tendancies.

Answer 6

He came by his theories after leafing through his MILF porn.