Freud (1909)

Question 1

Theory

Answer 1

According to Freud’s Theory of Psychosexual Development, sexuality isn’t confined to physically mature adults, but is evident from birth. However different parts of the body are particularly sensitive at different times during childhood.

The sequence of the psychosexual stages are determined by maturation (nature) and how the child is treated by others (nurture).

Freud’s stages of psychosexual development are: oral stage: 0 – 1 year, anal stage: 1 – 3 years, phallic stage: 3 – 5/6 years, latency stage: 5/6 years –puberty, genital stage: puberty – maturity.

The Oedipus complex for boys and the Electra complex for girls forms part of the phallic stage.

Question 2

Research method

Answer 2

• This was a case study. A case study gathers detailed data of either a single individual or a very small group of individuals, an institution or an event. Here, in-depth, detailed data was gathered on one individual – Little Hans – in relation to his fantasies, fears and phobias.
• The study is considered longitudinal as it documents developments in Hans’ fears from when he was three years old until he was five. This allowed Freud to link the evidence gathered to his developmental theory of sexuality.
• Data was gathered by Little Han’s father

Question 3

The Giraffe Fantasy

Answer 3

Hans told his father about his Giraffe fantasy, which involved two giraffes. One of the giraffes was big and the other one was crumpled (Freud suggests that the big giraffe was an unconscious manifestation of Hans’s father and the crumpled one was an unconscious manifestation of Hans’ mother).

In the fantasy, Hans’ took the crumpled giraffe away from the big one which caused the big one to call out. Then Hans sat on top of the crumpled Giraffe.

Question 4

The Horse Phobia

Answer 4

Hans developed a fear of being bitten by white horses. This seemed to be linked to two incidents:

1. Overhearing a father say to a child, “Don’t put your finger to the white horse or it will bite you.”
2. Seeing a horse that was pulling a carriage fall down and kick about with its legs.

Little Hans’ fear of horses was considered by Freud as a subconscious fear of his father. This because the dark around the mouth of a horse + the blinkers resembled the moustache and glasses worn by his father. He was fearful of his father because he was experiencing the Oedipus complex.

Question 5

The Parenting Dream

Answer 5

The parenting fantasy: Hans’ describes a fantasy where he is married to his mother with children, but Hans’ father is now the grandfather as opposed to being Hans’ father. Think about how this relates to the Oedipus complex which was mentioned earlier.

Hans’ fantasy of becoming a father with his mother, suggested to Freud (1909), further evidence of the Oedipus complex.

Question 6

Conclusions

Answer 6

Freud concluded that his study of Hans provided support for:

1. His theory of psychosexual development / infant sexuality.
2. His suggestion that boys in the phallic stage of psychosexual development experience the Oedipus complex.
3. The nature of phobias and his theory that they are the product of unconscious anxiety displaced onto harmless external objects.
4. His concept of unconscious determinism which holds that people are not consciously aware of the causes of their behaviour.
5. His use of psychoanalytic therapy to treat disturbed thoughts, feelings and behaviours by firstly identifying the unconscious cause(s) of the disturbance and them bringing them into the conscious so they can be discussed and resolved.