Identity of Humans Essay -- essays research papers fc

What is a human being? A human being is a combination of the biological makeup of the individual and the enunciate of being. The state of being can be characterized by the individuals state of consciousness, and an individuals state of consciousness is characterized by his or her identity. In the to the highest degree general sense, identity refers to ones answer to the question, who am I? 1 To fully understand and grasp the concepts and ideas related to identity, two different mental perspectives will be explored, as well as three theorists including Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, Abraham Maslow, and Carl Rogers. Freud - Psychic StructuresSigmund Freud explored identity through the psychodynamic theory of Psychosexual Development. According to psychodynamic theory, the human personality is characterized by a dynamic struggle as basic physiological drives come into conflict with laws and social codes.2 Freud then categorized human personality into elements, or mental structures. F reud hypothesized the existence of three mental structures the ID, the self, and the SUPEREGO. 3 The ID is present at birth, represents physiological drives, and is unconscious. The ID follows the pleasure principle, which demands instant gratification of instincts without consideration for the law, social norms, or the needs of others. The EGO begins to develop during the first year of life when the child learns that his or her demands for instant gratification cannot always be met immediately. The EGO stands for reason, good sense, and for rational ways of contend with frustration. The EGO is guided through the reality principle, which takes into consideration what is practical and possible in gratifying needs. According to Freud, it is the EGO, which provides the conscious sense of self. The SUPEREGO is the third and final psychic structure, which develops throughout early childhood. The SUPEREGO incorporates moral standards and values into the individual though the moral prin ciple, which sets moral standards and enforces adherence to them. The SUPEREGO monitors the military actions of the EGO and judges them right or wrong. If the SUPEREGO judges an action as wrong then the SUPEREGO floods the EGO with feelings of guilt and shame.4 Freud - Psychosexual Stages of DevelopmentFreud theorized the Psychosexual Stages of Development, which is the process by which libid... ... form to another based on mental picture to the environment. Through exploration of these various vies on identity development, a better understanding can be reached for what a human being is.BibliographyBenner, David G., and Peter C. Hill., ed. bread maker Encyclopedia of Psychology and Counseling. Grand Rapids, Michigan Baker Books, 1999Elkind, David. Erik Eriksons Eight Ages of Man New York Times Magazine April 1970 25ffErikson, Erik H. identity Youth & Crisis. New York Norton and Co., 1968Kroger, Jane. Identity in Adolescence The Balance between Self and Other. London Routledge, 1989Kunkel, John H. Encounters with Great Psychologists Twelve Dramatic Portraits. Toronto Wall & Thompson, 1989McDavid, John W., and Gary Garwood. Understanding Children Promoting Human Growth. Lexington, Massachusstts D.C. Health Company, 1978Papalia, Diane E., and snap W. Olds. Human Development. New York McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1986Rathus, Spencer A. Psychology. Fourth edition. Orlando, Fl Moore and Moore Publishing, 1990 Tarnecki, James. Personal interview. 11 March 2001.Tarnecki, James. Personal interview. 2 April 2001Tarnecki, James. Personal interview. 10 April 2001