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 in depth and detail the theories of Sigmund Freud's psychodynamic approach. Strengths and weaknesses as an assessment of the work of Sigmund Freud. A summary and evaluation of the cognitive perspective as an alternative to human behavior will also be identified in this essay. Sigmund Freud was born in the Czech Republic on May 6, 1856, was a neurologist who founded the discipline of psychoanalysis. He had a personal interest in hysteria, a condition in which psychic symptoms appeared without any obvious psychic cause. Sigmund Freud's theories were based on ideas he collected throughout his professional life from various case studies. Although other people had their theories about various illnesses and conditions, it was Sigmund Freud who was the first to actually document his work. Freud believed that people were controlled by two drives: Eros, the life drive, called the sexual drive, and the death drive (Thanatos). "However, his ideas have become woven into the fabric of our culture, with terms such as 'Freudian slippage', 'repression' and 'denial' appearing regularly in everyday language" (http://psychology.about.com) . His work is still revered, taught and criticized today, over a hundred years later. Sigmund Freud's model of the mind can be compared to an iceberg, the tip of which is visible above the water and the rest is hidden underwater, invisible. The visible part is assimilated to our conscious mind where we originate our feeling...... middle of paper ......f 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 has a remarkable capacity for life-preserving distortion.” (Vaillant, 1995, pp 9). A common question is whether a person can lose themselves in trance and do not return. There is a known risk that clients will not be able to come out of the hypnotic trance state. The worst that can happen is that they will fall asleep and wake up naturally some time later. 2003 pp 35). Thus, dreams can give a clue to unconscious desires, but they are revealed through symbols rather than directly (Brian, 2000, p. 151). 'engage in a symbolic game' (Brian, 2002, p..212)