Final answer:
Freud's theories are criticized due to their non-falsifiable nature and lack of empirical evidence, as well as the heavy reliance on biological drives to explain behavior. Despite criticisms, Freud's contributions to psychology are undeniable, particularly in acknowledging the unconscious mind's influence on behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sigmund Freud's theories about the Eros and Thanatos instinct drives are often criticized because many of his ideas lack empirical evidence and are considered non-falsifiable. This means that there is no clear way to empirically test or disprove the existence of these unconscious drives. Freud suggested that the Ego is perpetually challenged by the conflicting demands of the Id, which seeks pleasure, and the Superego, which upholds moral standards, with the Ego balancing these drives according to the reality principle.
Freud's emphasis on biological drives such as pleasure principle and death drive also led to criticism, as later theorists argued that biology alone couldn't account for the diversity of human behavior. Furthermore, Freud's views on psychosexual development and the Oedipus/Electra complex are controversial and reflective of the sexual repression of his times.
Despite these criticisms, Freud's legacy in highlighting the unconscious mind's role in behavior and his establishment of psychoanalytic theory remains a significant contribution to psychology and psychotherapy.