Freudian Theory

At the time of birth, the nervous system is not yet matured. An agreement must be made between the physical body and the baby acquires daily.

According to Freudian theory, when the baby is born, the psychic apparatus is composed by the id, filled with energy and psychic impulses. Gradually, through experience, self and identity are constructed and emerge from it. The superego will appear much later.

Freud has worked with adults but he realized, however, that the psychic conflicts were rooted in childhood (partial drives that predate puberty, Freud referred to as infantile sexuality). During childhood, sexual drive will develop. Some will be the source of psychic conflicts, others will reappear in dreams.