Examining Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory in Relations to Vocational Choice and Its Implication to Counselling

 ABSTRACT:

The article has invariably showed the essence as to why the negatively viewed aspect of man can inevitably distort his quest in making right decisions as regards his vocational choice. Sigmund Freud never looked at the nature of man in the positive direction. Instead, he saw that the way man uses the id component, has adversely influenced the right and proper adjustment of his inward being, using the ego to say he is justified for doing wrong and thus, making reality a case of cruelty. 

 

INTRODUCTION

Sigmund Freud, a Viennese physician during the period of 1890 to 1939, propounded the psychoanalytic theory. Freud, who was trained as a physician and early in his career, hoped that psychological disorders could be reduced to related brain impairments. But because of the neuroscience of his days, which was in an under-developed stage, to aid his research, Freud turned instead to psychology to explain disordered behaviour and mental activity.

BELIEFS AND VIEWS OF THE PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY

The psychoanalytic theory holds the view that man is evil, that the thoughts of man are wicked, man is illogical and irrational, the mentality of man is unhealthy and therefore man is prone to making wrong decisions.

The purpose of the theory was to provide measures of correction towards man’s irrationality, so that man can make good judgment based on reasons and choice. Therefore, one among the choice of man is to make good career decisions. Owing to the fact that man can choose career wrongly because he is irrational, therefore, there is need for man to be properly guided vocationally.

Man has various needs such as; psychological, physical, social, emotional and spiritual. As the needs of man plague his existence, in order to be comfortable, he must device a measure of satisfying his demanding needs. In the process of achieving this, man becomes logical, rational, mentally healthy and conscious in using his perspective powers of making decisions. Among all the needs of man that requires his personal decision, it is only the physical need that comes to play. And the components of these needs includes. Viz:

1. Good health
2. Good home
3. Good career
4. Good income
5. Good food (etc.)

THE RELATIONS OF PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY TO VOCATIONAL CHOICE

In the context of my discussion and analysis, vocational choice is the main stay of our argument. The desire for a good career must reflect proper understanding of the employment world. Skills and ability must be developed, potentials must be harnessed and all must be channeled towards the growth of the individual during vocational help-when being counseled.

The level of unemployment increases as a result of lack of vocational guidance for the youths. This lack of proper career guidance at early stage of development provides a situation in which many young ones grow up confused of what to do in life. Under this confused state, they go into wrong professions, which make them less useful to themselves and to the society.

The psychoanalytic theory of Sigmund Freud, points out that the mind of man is divided into three components, namely; the id, ego and the superego. And the power to be decisive lies in the ego because; the ego is the reality part or principle that checks the excess of id, which is the libido. In the course of doing this, defense mechanisms are initiated by the ego, which assist vocational growth, enhancement in skills and proficiency in ability due to the fact that the energy of the body and mind has been directed to one course of life- work!

Man progresses both consciously and unconsciously in all works of life when he exchanges sex and emotions for work. This is therefore an element of the ego known as sublimation.  It inherently means that man consciously directs all forces and energy of self-gratification to the acquisition of a skill as it relates to vocational choice. In order to reverse the irrationality of man, he must deliberately and consciously choose what will continue his existence and survival.

So, man’s decision in career choice is based on where his potential best fit, where his skills are enhanced and where his existence is sustained. Therefore, right vocational choices depends on the forces of body and mind and the physical need which is emphasized or strongly supported by the force of the psychoanalytic theory of the Viennese physician and psychologist, Sigmund Freud.

THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE THEORY IN RELATIONS TO VOCATIONAL CHOICE TO COUNSELING

The psychoanalytic theory is a promising tool for Personnel in counseling professions to use in comprehending the problems and feelings of their clients. In response to vocational guidance, the effect of the superego can easily be perceived in counselee’s vocational desire by the counselor and thus device a way of meeting the needs of clients.

Based on the knowledge in psychoanalysis, the counselor can handle a client’s constructs of inadequacies (such as; lack of proper planning and decision making, thinking unrealistically) by adding more vigour to the victim’s ego to enable him see vivid reasons to make adjustment. Also, with the information from defense mechanism, counseling practices has seen a light in understanding various patterns a victim can use to distort reality and deceive him/her self. Thus, using the knowledge of psychoanalysis as a merit, affords them (Counselors) the opportunity to forecast a solution.

CONCLUSIONS

Freud’s psychoanalytic theory has been applicable to vocational choice in that, to counseling, it has increased the very understanding of human behaviour and there is a way man’s choice of career can be altered if he is not going the right direction.

References:

Guidance and Counselling. A Realistic Approach. (1991). International University Press. Imo state. Nigeria. Edited by G.C. Unachukwu and G.C. Igborgbor.

Kinanee J.B. Kinanee (2006) Psychology of Human Adjustment. Horizon Concept. Port Harcourt. Rivers State. Nigeria. (2nd Ed)