Freud and Gender Identity

Paper Summary:

In this paper, Sigmund Freud's research into sexuality bisexuality, homosexuality, gender issues) is reviewed. The paper holds that Freud is respected for much of the original research he conducted into the differences between the sexes, the personality issues that are affected by psycho/sexual dynamics, dream psychology, gender identity and other areas of psychology. It claims, however, that more than a hundred years after his work, there are more than a few questions about the objectivity of his research, the credibility of his theories, and accuracy of his work. The paper concludes that after examining the events that were happening in his life during the time he conducted some of the research, there is room for some doubt.

From the Paper:

"Meanwhile, according to Myths and Mysteries of Same Sex Love (Christine Downing), Freud himself was involved in "perversions" (e.g., homosexual relationships) with other men, namely Josef Breuer, Wilhelm Fliess (beginning in 1887) and later with Carl Jung, his close associate in research - a third gay relationship which was at its most intense period from 1907-1912, according to Downing (24). Knowing this information could possibly have the potential of casting a shadow of doubt on some of Freud's work in the area of same sex relationships and same sex research."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Downing, Christine. Myths and Mysteries of Same-Sex Love. New York: Continuum, 1989.
• Freud, Sigmund. (1905). Fragment of an Analysis of a Case of Hysteria ("Dora"). In Peter Gay (Ed) The Freud Reader (pp. 172-239). New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
• Freud, Sigmund. (1947) Freud: On War, Sex and Neurosis. New York: Arts & Science Press.
• Freud, Sigmund. (1900). Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality. In Peter Gay (Ed.) The FreudReader (pp. 239-292). New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
• Mahony, Patrick J. (2005). Freud's Unadorned and Unadorable: A Case History Terminable And Interminable. Psychoanalytic Inquiry 25(1), 27-44.

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