Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) was an Austrian neurologist who founded the principles of psychoanalysis and defined the id, ego, and super-ego as elements of the human psyche. He also studied the unconscious mind and postulated the existence of sexual libido, death drive, neurotic guilt, and elaborated on the theory of the Oedipus complex.
Many of his theories are referred to as "Freudian" concepts, and the phrase "Freudian slip" has come to mean an error in speech that allegedly telegraphs the speaker's secret intentions. As a famous historical figure, he has been referenced in pop culture by the likes of such films as Lovesick (played by Alec Guinness), A Dangerous Method (played by Viggo Mortensen), and Freud's Last Session (played by Anthony Hopkins). He was played to comic effect in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, and as portrayed by Alan Arkin, offered therapy to Sherlock Holmes in The Seven Per-Cent Solution.
References[]
- The March 26, 1984 edition of The Muppets comic strip features Kermit the Frog distressed over the state of a script saying, "Maybe I should just ribbit up." When Scooter catches his gaffe, Kermit admits that it was just a "Froggian slip."
- The unrealized series Starboppers would have featured characters that were described by designer Ron Mueck as embodying the Freudian principles of id, ego, and super-ego.
- Buster the Horse observes Gina doing her homework in Sesame Street Episode 2526, noting that "Freud was a real smart guy."
- The id, ego, and super-ego later defined characters on CityKids appearing in segments titled, "Inside the Head."