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A Primer of Freudian Psychology

by Calvin S. Hall

The purpose of this primer is to present clearly, briefly, and systematically the psychological theories advanced by Sigmund Freud. Freud's contributions in the areas of abnormal psychology, psychopathology, psychotherapy, and psychiatry have been summarized by a number of writers, but his work as a psychological theorist in the area of general psychology has not been presented in a systematic and comprehensive form. The author contends that Freud's distinctive role in intellectual and scientific history is that of a psychological theorist. Freud himself regarded psychoanalysis primarily as a system of psychology and not merely a branch of abnormal psychology or psychiatry. He wanted to be remembered and identified chiefly as a psychologist. The author's purpose, then, in summarizing the psychology of Sigmund Freud is to rescue him from the domain of mental disorders and to restore him to his legitimate place within the province of normal psychology. It is argued that if Freud is permitted to remain an exclusive possession of a branch of medicine, not only will his fundamental theories be relegated to a subordinate position, but also psychology will be the loser for having ignored one of its most creative minds. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2005 APA, all rights reserved).