Final answer:
During the 1880s, Freud believed that sexual conflicts were the root of all neuroses, a notion deeply intertwined with his psychosexual development theory and the context of sexual repression of his era.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the 1880s, Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, developed groundbreaking theories on the human psyche. One of the core beliefs he held was that sexual conflicts were at the root of all neuroses. This principle was central to Freud's psychosexual stages of development, wherein he proposed that individuals pass through different stages tied to specific conflicts and pleasures associated with various parts of the body. A notably controversial aspect of this theory was the Oedipus complex, which highlighted a child's unconscious sexual desire towards the opposite-sex parent, potentially leading to neurotic adult behaviors if not properly resolved.
Freud's ideas were conceived in an era marked by sexual repression, which had a profound impact on his interpretations of patient experiences, dreams, and symptoms. He theorized that repressed unconscious urges, mainly of a sexual and aggressive nature, were the driving force behind neurotic disorders. The repression of these deep-seated urges, hampered by societal norms and personal guilt, manifested as various forms of psychopathology. Freud's work on unconscious motivations, defense mechanisms, and the lasting effects of early childhood experiences on adult personality and behavior continues to be acknowledged, despite being subject to debate and criticism over the years.