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Psychoanalysis, often seen as the science of understanding how our minds work, finds its roots in the theories of Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist. We will dive into how these age-old psychoanalytic ideas have left their mark on popular culture and media, offering us a unique lens to decipher the intricacies of the human mind.
Freud started by splitting the soul into two parts: the conscious and the unconscious. The conscious is what we're aware of, while the unconscious is where we store our suppressed desires.
Freud believed that as we enter society, we willingly give up some instinctual satisfaction for the greater good. This sacrifice becomes the foundation for understanding how our primal urges dance with societal norms.
Freud went on to say that our minds are loaded with instinctual desires—everything from social to sexual impulses, bundled up in what he called the ID. However, Freud warned against letting these desires run wild, as it could spell trouble for society.
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This is where psychoanalysis steps in, acting as our guidebook, teaching us the ropes of appropriate behavior that keeps society ticking smoothly. Essentially, Freud's theories provide us with a roadmap to avoid societal clashes.
Building on these ideas, Freud sliced the psyche into three parts: the ID, ego, and superego. The ID, an unconscious pleasure-seeker, hides in the dark corners of our personality. The ego acts as the middleman, balancing the ID's desires with real-world consequences.
As we get more acquainted with culture, the superego comes into play, adopting societal norms learned from influential figures. This breakdown helps us navigate the delicate equilibrium between our basic instincts and what society expects from us.
John Storey termed the superego as the "voice of culture." Freud believed that our human nature isn't some natural thing but is, in fact, shaped by the ever-changing culture and media of our time. This continuous cycle of learning from our elders and society at large molds our superego, acting as a barrier for the unacceptable urges of the ID. Freud's psychoanalysis brings to light the intricate relationship between individuals and the broader cultural landscape.
The flexibility of the ego takes center stage, influenced by the times we live in, our social circles, and the media that surrounds us. Our opinions and personality are shaped by exposure to societal elements, be it through television, newspapers, or everyday interactions. Whether we realize it or not, we're soaking in information from our surroundings, creating a dynamic interplay between the external environment and our evolving selves.
The superego's role in maintaining balance becomes paramount. Without this restraining force, the ID's pleasure principle would reign supreme, leading to a lack of appropriate expression of opinions and behaviors. This ongoing conflict between the pleasure and reality principles emphasizes the delicate equilibrium needed for individuals to navigate societal expectations while acknowledging their innate drives.
Freud and his intellectual successor Jacques Lacan cast a long shadow on culture and media. The practical application of psychoanalysis in deciphering everyday life, particularly in interpreting films, becomes evident. Zizek's assertion that cinema doesn't give us what we desire but instructs us on how to desire encapsulates the profound influence of media on shaping our desires and, consequently, our behaviors. The cinema, in this light, becomes a captivating canvas where psychoanalytic principles are at play.
Diving deeper, the argument surfaces that media significantly shapes our desires. Effective ad campaigns, exemplified by the ubiquity and popularity of McDonald's, demonstrate how media can manipulate our desires. The essence of desire, as argued, lies not merely in basic needs but in the quantity of our wants. The media's pervasive influence, evident in large-scale advertising, alters our desires, shaping our cultural landscape and preferences. Psychoanalysis emerges as a potent tool for understanding how our psyche interacts with the external stimuli orchestrated by media campaigns.
In conclusion, the indelible imprint of Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis on culture and media resonates throughout this work. The intricate tapestry of the human psyche, woven by the interplay of the ID, ego, and superego, unfolds as a dynamic dance influenced by external cultural factors. Psychoanalysis, effective in interpreting the hidden meanings in cinema and everyday life, serves as a lens through which we comprehend the complexities of desire, societal norms, and the delicate balance required for individuals to navigate the intricate dance between instinctual drives and cultural expectations.
The Voice of Culture in Freudian Psychoanalysis. (2017, Feb 17). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/psychoanalysis-popular-culture-and-media-essay
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