Describe and evaluate the theories of Sigmund Freud's psychodynamic approach as an explanation of human behavior. In the evaluation summarize and evaluate the cognitive perspective as an alternative explanation of human behavior. This essay will describe the theories of Sigmund Freud's psychodynamic approach in depth and detail. Strengths and weaknesses as an evaluation of Sigmund Freud's work. In this essay, a synthesis and evaluation of the cognitive perspective as an alternative to human behavior will also be identified. Sigmund Freud, born in the Czech Republic on May 6, 1856, was a neurologist and founder of the discipline of psychoanalysis. He had a personal interest in hysteria, a condition in which psychic symptoms arise without any obvious psychic cause. Sigmund Freud's theories were based on ideas that he had gathered throughout his working life from various case studies. Although other people had their theories about various disorders and conditions, it was Sigmund Freud who was the first person to actually document his work. Freud believed that people were controlled by two drives: Eros, the life drive, called the sexual instinct, and the death drive (Thanatos). “Yet his ideas have become woven into the fabric of our culture, with terms like “Freudian slip,” “repression,” and “denial” appearing regularly in everyday language” (http://psychology.about.com). His work is still revered, taught and criticized today, over one hundred years later. Sigmund Freud's model of the mind can be compared to an iceberg, where the tip is visible above the water and the rest is hidden under the water without being seen. The visible part is compared to our conscious mind from which we have our senses... middle of paper... guilt. For example, if the ego gives in to the demands of the id, the superego can make the person feel bad through guilt." ( www.simplypsychology.org, (2011). “The ego possesses a remarkable capacity for life-preserving distortion.” (Vaillant, 1995, pp 9). A frequently asked question concerns whether a person could lose himself in a trance and never return There is a danger that clients will fail to emerge from the hypnotic trance state. The worst thing that could happen is that they would fall asleep and wake up naturally some time later.” may give a clue to unconscious desires, but they are revealed through symbols rather than directly. This serves to protect our sleep.” (Brian, 2002, p.212)