Sigmund Freud

Sigmund should have seen a Psychiatrist.

This man is why I fear visiting my shrink. Grandfather of modern psychology.

Speaking of Freud, somebody around here seems to be stuck in the  anal stage.(Note: I purposely left him an opening.)

Freud set the stage for psychiatric hegemony in the twentieth century and affected countless lives. His theories were influentual, but mostly barmy. I wouldn't say he was as influential as other fields.

Extremely influential in the psych world whether some of it was bull or not.

I have a good friend who's a (sex) therapist and engages in conversations about Freud, Jung, Piaget, et al.  She, a Brazilian, commented about how psychotherapy is treated in the Western world, particularly the USA.  She stated that we endure a form of psychotherapy that in essence subverts the will and need of the individual to those of others:  family, community, "responsibility."  Therapists here are not really practicing that "be all that you can be" developmental side of humans, but rather tend to mold us into quite average beings...at the risk of suppressing emotions and talents.  I appreciated her insight and see and concur with her points.

In my opinion, one of the most influential scientists. His writings, although in some parts proven to be incorrect, contributed a large portion to our modern understanding of human nature.

I'm not a fan of his writings,but he did shape modern psychology (and many offshoots such as advertising) in a big way.He was not really the first to theorize about the subconscious,but he definately "put it on the map".

Reevaluation - according to current scientific standards - and significant improvement of investigations of what in his day were largely unchartered waters, and against fierce skepticism from his own professional community, should not deprive this remarkable man of his rightful place and influence.

Influential yes, but most historians now agree that he was a fraud.

Psychology is bull.

Must be important as he was one of the Most Special Historical Dudes featured in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. He was also one of the figures in My Great Figures in World History college course.

Eh...well, one might say he was a bit of a pervert.

Not a favourite of the uptight, politically correct '70s and '80s feminists...therefore Freud is of some value to thinking people everywhere.

A man who redefined the way we look at the human mind forever, without him we'd likely not use such terms as subconscious or ego in everyday conversation and there'd be a lot less sympathy and understanding for the mentally disturbed today. He often slipped up in his experimentation and at one time believed the nose to be directly linked to the libido and at another believed cocaine a cure to multiple mental conditions (which he eventually realized was like trying to cast the Devil out with Beelzebub). One must understand though that Freud was taking the first major steps into a previously unknown science and ultimately provided the basis for every psychoanalyst that followed him.

He said alot of valid things and alot of things that were far enough in left field to make me want a glove. One can only wonder what was responsible (snort) for the crazy stuff.

Influential, yes, the MOST influential, NO! Psychologists today still struggle with his reputation. While he made the concept of the unconscious and defense systems a part of everyday awareness, his therapy style and criticism of religion have made his methods outdated.