Sigmund Freud, a pioneer in psychology, has certainly left his mark. However, not all his teachings hold water in today’s world.

Some of Freud’s theories, once considered groundbreaking, are now seen as outdated and even problematic. We’ve come a long way in our understanding of human behavior and the mind since Freud’s time, and it’s important to recognize where he got things wrong.

This isn’t about discrediting Freud entirely, but about being critical thinkers and understanding that even the most influential figures can have flawed ideas.

So, here are eight teachings from Sigmund Freud that we need to re-evaluate and perhaps, unlearn.

1) Dreams are not always symbolic

Freud was known for his heavy emphasis on dream analysis. He believed that dreams were a window into our unconscious desires and fears, often filled with symbolic meanings.

But modern psychology has evolved since Freud’s time. We now understand that while dreams can sometimes reflect our emotions and thoughts, they aren’t necessarily filled with hidden meanings waiting to be deciphered.

Unlearning this Freudian teaching doesn’t mean dismissing the importance of dreams altogether. Instead, it’s about recognizing that not every dream is a coded message from our subconscious.

Sometimes, a dream about flying isn’t about repressed desires or unfulfilled ambitions – it’s just a dream about flying.

2) Not everything is about the Oedipus Complex

Freud’s Oedipus Complex theory, where he suggested that every child goes through a phase of being attracted to their opposite-sex parent, was a bit of a shocker for me when I first studied psychology.

I mean, I’ve always been close to my dad. We watched football together and had our special father-daughter breakfasts on Sundays.

But to say that I had an unconscious romantic attraction towards him during my childhood? That’s a bit of a stretch.

Modern psychology agrees. While some children may indeed experience complex feelings during their developmental phase, it’s not an across-the-board rule as Freud implied.

It’s crucial that we unlearn this blanket theory and understand the diverse aspects of child development instead.

3) The unconscious mind is not a reservoir of repressed desires

Freud’s theory of the unconscious mind suggests that it’s a vast storage space for all our repressed desires and traumas. His view paints a rather dark picture of our inner selves, doesn’t it?

However, research in neurobiology and cognitive psychology has shown that the unconscious mind is also responsible for positive functions, like processing information, forming habits, and even fostering creativity.

Did you know that some of our best ideas and problem-solving abilities come to us when we’re not consciously thinking about the problem?

This is often referred to as an ‘aha’ or ‘Eureka’ moment. It shows that our unconscious mind isn’t just a dumping ground for unwanted thoughts and feelings, but a powerhouse of cognitive processing.

So, let’s unlearn Freud’s narrow view of the unconscious mind and embrace its multifaceted nature.

4) Women are not merely ‘men without penises’

Freud’s theories on female sexuality, most notably the concept of ‘penis envy’, are arguably among his most controversial. Freud suggested that women feel incomplete and inferior due to their lack of a penis, leading to a lifelong envy of men.

Today’s psychologists and feminists alike find this theory not just outdated, but outright offensive. Women’s experiences and identities are not defined by the absence of male genitalia, neither do they revolve around envy for men.

Recognizing and unlearning this Freudian teaching is crucial in understanding and respecting the complexity and diversity of female experiences. It encourages us to see women as they truly are – complete, capable, and equal to men in every respect.

5) Emotional pain is not just about unresolved childhood issues

Freud’s fixation on early childhood experiences as the root of all emotional pain is something we need to reconsider. He theorized that unresolved issues from our formative years manifest as neuroses in adulthood.

While there’s no denying the significance of our early experiences, it’s reductionist to pin all emotional distress on our childhood.

Life is a journey, filled with ups and downs, joys, and sorrows. We face challenges, heartbreaks, and losses that can cause emotional pain at any stage of life.

Unlearning this Freudian concept allows us to embrace the full spectrum of our experiences. It gives us permission to feel pain without having to trace it back to an early childhood trauma.

It’s okay to hurt because life can be tough – it doesn’t always have to be due to something buried in our past.

6) Not all behaviors are driven by sex

Freud’s assertion that all human behavior is driven by sexual desire was one of his most defining, and, frankly, perplexing theories.

He suggested that everything we do, from our career choices to our hobbies, is motivated by sexual drives.

I remember feeling quite baffled when I first came across this theory. Is my love for painting really driven by some latent sexual desire?

I’ve always found solace in the strokes of my brush on a canvas – it’s more of a spiritual experience than a sexual one.

Contemporary psychology suggests a myriad of other motivations behind human behavior, including the desire for mastery, the pursuit of knowledge, and the longing for connection.

So let’s unlearn this overly sexualized view of human motivation and acknowledge the diverse factors that drive us.

7) Mental illness is not a result of sexual repression

Freud often linked mental illnesses to sexual repression, suggesting that suppressing our sexual desires could lead to neurotic symptoms.

While it’s true that repressed feelings can contribute to emotional distress, it’s a gross oversimplification to attribute all mental health issues to sexual repression.

Mental illnesses are complex and multifaceted, often resulting from a mix of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.

By unlearning this Freudian teaching, we can promote a more nuanced understanding of mental health, fostering empathy and reducing stigma for those living with mental illnesses.

It’s time we acknowledge the complexity of these conditions instead of reducing them to outdated theories.

8) Human behavior is not entirely deterministic

Freud’s deterministic view of human behavior, suggesting that our actions are entirely determined by unconscious motives, needs to be unlearned.

It implies that we have no free will, which is a disempowering view of human capability.

Modern psychology recognizes that while unconscious factors may influence our behavior, we also possess conscious control and the ability to make choices.

We are not just passive products of our unconscious minds but active agents with the power to shape our lives.

Unlearning Freud’s deterministic perspective allows us to embrace our agency and the role we play in shaping our own destinies. Because at the end of the day, we are not just marionettes dancing to the tunes of our unconscious mind.

Revisiting Freud: A path to enlightened understanding

As we navigate through the maze of Freud’s theories, it’s important to remember that he was a pioneer in uncharted territory, exploring the complexities of the human mind when psychology was in its infancy.

His work laid the groundwork for many of our current understandings about human behavior, dreams, and the unconscious mind. But as with all pioneers, not everything he proposed has stood the test of time.

By revisiting and unlearning some of these Freudian teachings, we are not dismissing his contributions. Instead, we are acknowledging the evolving nature of science and our understanding of the human psyche.

It’s a journey towards enlightened understanding. A reminder that knowledge is fluid, and learning is an ongoing process. It is about appreciating the past, questioning the present, and forging a path towards a more nuanced comprehension of our complex selves.