When I was traveling in a train in 2005, I was reading my class notes in midst of the constant chat around me, I noticed a man who continuously talking and made all of them active and engaged by his non stop conversation. And almost with everyone he enquired their demographic details. As I was reading he couldn’t pull me into his chatting session. As time passed by, one by one got down as they reached their destination. So my turn had come and I was getting ready to get down. And he saw me stopped reading and he asked me what am I doing and i replied doing my Post Graduation and he asked about my stream of subject and i said “i am doing PG in Counselling Psychology”. The moment i said i am studying psychology he seemed with multiple expressions of curiosity, shock, fear and with excitement and he asked me “You would have observed my non stop chat all these time and definitely you know my mind so please tell about me according to your psychological perspective!” These words of him clearly depicts how people think about the people who are in the field of Psychology. And with firm voice and grin I replied “i am a student of psychology who never read minds rather we try to understand them and we are not Astrologer”. This incident made me to think deeply about the perception of people towards psychology is not right.
Psychology is the subject which helps you to understand human mind. And it never predicts anyone’s future. Let’s clearly understand what Psychology is.
MEANING : The word “psychology” itself is derived from the Greek word psyche, literally meaning “life” or “breath.” Derived meanings of the word include “soul” or “self.” The word “Psyche” also means Mind and ‘Ology’ means ‘a study of’ henceforth it is the study of Human Mind.
To understand Psychology in a simple term is to understand human Mind. There are many psychologist gives theory on Human Behaviour, Thinking, Personality. It’s very easy to understand the explanation given by Sigmund Freud, the Father of Modern Psychology. Let’s understand his simple version of psychology and how human mind functions.🧐
Sigmund Freud who founded psychoanalysis to explain how we think about and he explains to treat mental health conditions by listening to patients and understands how their minds work. He gives a clear picture of how human mind functions and helps in grooming one personality.
#Understanding Human Mind: Freud states that personality is composed of three elements known as the id, the ego, and the superego. These elements work together to create complex human behaviors. The interactions and conflicts among these components create personality.
*id state of mind always seeks immediate gratification. This is the foremost state of mind of all us which constantly ensures the needs are met by any means. This state of mind never likes discomfort or painful experiences. This is more of child state of mind. For e.g., if you want ice cream, immediately it ensures the need is met.
*EGO state of mind works in reality principle which identifies the surroundings and check the needs of the id state of mind is met though get delayed. E.g. your need to taste ice cream will be met by understanding the situations like having money in your wallet, the weather conditions , the shop is available or not etc., though there is a delay, the needs are met by understanding the realistic situations.
*Superego : is the moral component of the mind where it guides you and helps you to differentiate what is right and wrong, good and bad, positive and negative for oneself to attain the desired state. As mentioned, it ensures the appropriate time to enjoy icecream and also guides you whether it is really needed for oneself to enjoy. Thus superego tries to perfect and civilize our behaviour. As it’s the ideal part of oneself, it suppresses all ID’s unacceptable needs and when it fails to guide and give into the urges of id, the superego will cause you to feel a sense of guilt and shame about your actions. For e.g., when it allows you to taste icecream, not realising the friend next to you can’t enjoy due to severe cold will leaves you to regret for the action you did.
To explain further about Human Mind, Sigmund Freud divided human consciousness into three levels of awareness: the conscious, preconscious, and unconscious. Each of these levels corresponds and overlaps with his ideas of the id, ego, and superego.
#Conscious Mind contains all of the thoughts, memories, feelings, and wishes of which we are aware at any given moment. This is the aspect of our mental processing that we can think and talk about rationally. This also includes our memory, which is not always part of consciousness but can be retrieved easily and brought into awareness. For instance, you are aware of your surroundings and what is happening to you right now.
#Preconscious/ Subconscious consists of anything that could potentially be brought into the conscious mind. Example, You recognise your childhood friend in a crowd, you recollect your pleasant or painful experience when you identify the same situation in the present.
#Unconscious Mind is a reservoir of feelings, thoughts, urges, and memories that are outside of our conscious awareness. The unconscious contains contents that are unacceptable or unpleasant, such as feelings of pain, anxiety, or conflict. All your suppressed feelings of emotions gets piled up here. The psychologist job is to deal with this level of awareness.
