Submitted by: Submitted by janaebassil
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Category: Philosophy and Psychology
Date Submitted: 05/08/2016 08:53 PM
Janae Bassil
King
Standard British Literature
21 March, 2016
The Structure of Our Minds
The human personality is what people who they are. They are very complex and several
components go into producing ones personalities. Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist and
father of psychoanalysis, introduced a theory on the structure of the mind that works on an
unconscious and conscious level. This structure is made up of the Id, the Ego, and the Superego.
These components of personality constructed by Freud give some insight into the human psyche.
To fully understand the structure of the human personality, it is key to understand the
conscious, preconscious, and unconscious mind. Freud uses an iceberg to depict the various
levels of consciousness. The conscious mind and thinking is considered to be the tip of the
iceberg. These are where the actions humans are aware of and can be “seen” reside. For instance,
“ [if one] may be feeling thirsty at this moment and decide to get a drink” this would be
conscious thinking (McLeod). Directly under the conscious level but above the unconscious
level is where preconscious thinking originates. The preconscious level of the iceberg lies
directly under the surface of the water. Immediate memories that one may not be totally aware
of, exist here directly under the water surface because “the preconscious is like a mental waiting
room, in which thoughts remain until they 'succeed in attracting the eye of the conscious' (Freud,
1924, p. 306).’ (McLeod)”. For example, people are not constantly thinking about their home
address but once brought to their attention, it can be recited with no difficulty. Lastly the
unconscious level of thinking is the deepest part of the iceberg that cannot be “seen”; therefore,
this is the thinking that takes places in which humans are completely unaware. The feelings and
thoughts that derive from here are unavailable to the conscious mind but greatly influence the
human...