Historical Context of Freud's Theory

 

Sigmund Freud developed his psychoanalytic theory in Vienna during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. During this period, society had strict moral values, especially regarding sexuality, family life, and acceptable behaviour. Mental illness was not well understood, and many people with psychological difficulties were treated unfairly or placed in institutions rather than receiving effective care.

This period followed the Industrial Revolution, when many families across Europe experienced poverty, overcrowded housing, poor sanitation, and difficult working conditions. These social issues were also highlighted in the novels of Charles Dickens, who described the harsh realities of Victorian life, particularly for children and disadvantaged families. Although Dickens was a novelist rather than a psychologist, his work illustrates the difficult environments that many people experienced during the nineteenth century.

The social and cultural conditions of the time influenced Freud's thinking. He believed that people's thoughts, emotions, and behaviours could be shaped by early childhood experiences and by unconscious conflicts that developed within a society where discussing sexuality and emotional problems was often considered unacceptable.

Dickens was writing mainly during the Victorian era (1837–1901), while Freud developed psychoanalysis in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Although they approached human suffering from very different perspectives—Dickens through literature and social commentary, Freud through psychology—they both reflected societies where poverty, overcrowding, poor housing, child labour, and inequality were widespread.

Today, psychologists recognise that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) extend beyond abuse or neglect. Growing up with homelessness, housing insecurity, extreme poverty, food insecurity, or living in unsafe neighbourhoods can also have lasting effects on development and mental health. These experiences can influence:

• Emotional wellbeing and self-esteem.
• Stress responses and anxiety.
• Memory and learning.
• Trust in other people and relationships.
• Physical health later in life.

For example, a child who frequently moves between temporary accommodation or experiences homelessness may develop chronic stress. The stress itself—not simply the lack of a permanent home—can affect how memories are formed, how safe the world feels, and how the brain develops.