Briefly summarize Freud's theory of personality and explain why ...

[dmcintosh]

Briefly summarize Freud's theory of personality and explain why most sociologists have negative reactions to his analysis.
 
  What will be an ideal response

Question 2

Why is it most common for the nonmaterial culture to lag behind material culture?
 
  What will be an ideal response

[amy.lauersdorf90]

Answer to Question 1

Freud believed that personality consists of three elements:
(1 ) the id includes the inborn basic drives;
(2 ) the ego is the balancing force between the id and the demands of society; and
(3 ) the super ego is the conscience, which represents the internalized norms and values of our social groups. The underlying principle of Freud's theory of personality development is that inborn and unconscious motivations are the primary reasons for human behavior. This theory denies the central principle of sociology, that factors such as social class and people's roles in groups influence their behavior. Further, Freud's elements of personality are not observable or measurable. Their very existence cannot even be proven. Sociological factors are all observable, and many of them are measurable. In view of this, Freud's theory violates one of the major requirements of a theory  that it is testable.

Answer to Question 2

The invention, discovery, or adoption of a new material culture is often the work of one person or a small group. It requires persuasion and time for the new tool and its technology to develop a following. Although it may be an asset to society, people often reject adoption of something new because it is novel, non-traditional, or counter to what was previously believed to be true. It may also require the learning of new skills that are viewed as being difficult, expensive, and time consuming. Examples include the reluctance of many people to receive the polio vaccine, the refusal of many individuals to learn computer skills, and the reliance on the traditional home telephone rather than a cell phone.