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

By:

George Rex Azubuike.

Computer Science Department. Rivers State University of Education

Port Harcourt. Rivers State. Nigeria

 ABSTRACT:

The article has invariably showed the essence as to why the negatively viewed aspect of man can inevitably distort is quest in making right decisions as regards to 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 adjusmenet of his inward being, using the ego to say he his 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 therefore, and man is prone to making wrong decisions.

The purpose of the theory was to provide measures of correction towards man’s irrational, 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 vocational.

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. Amongst all the needs of man that requires his personal decision, it is only the physical need that comes to play. And the components of those need includes. Viz:

Ø      Good health

Ø      Good home

Ø      Good career

Ø      Good income

Ø      Good food (etc)

THE RELATIONS OF PSYCHOANALTIC 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 channelled towards the growth of the individual during vocational help.

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 makes them less useful to themselves and society.

The psychoanalytic theory points out that the mind of man is divided into three components; the id, ego, 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, defence 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 is 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 emphasised or strongly supported by the invent of the psychoanalytic theory of the Viennese physician and psychologist, Sigmund Freud.

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

The psychoanalytic theory is a promising tool for personnel’s in counselling 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 counsellee’s vocational desire by the counsellor and thus device a way of meeting the needs of the clients.

Based on the knowledge in psychoanalysis, the counsellor 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 defence mechanism, counselling practices has seen a light in understanding various patterns a victim can use to distort reality and deceive him/herself. Thus, using the knowledge as merit affords them the opportunity to forecast a solution.

CONLUSIONS

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

References:

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

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