The figure of the iceberg in psychology

Since always, for as long as anyone can remember, the figure of the iceberg has been used to explain how Freud conceived the mind. Without a doubt, it is a very influential figure in the world of psychology. What if I told you that it was actually not Freud who invented the figure of the iceberg?

In fact, his figure is connected with this metaphor, but not directly. The most plausible theory is that it comes directly from Fechner's threshold concept (the inventor of psychophysics). Freud greatly admired Fechner and often mentioned him in his essays. But why Fechner ...

Fechner described and depicted the threshold using graphs and data, like a true physicist. If we look closely at the threshold graph, it closely resembles an iceberg. Part of the graph rises above the line and represents conscious sensations, while the other part lies below this line and concerns the subconscious.

Other theories may be associated with the fact that during that period, an event closely related to the figure of the iceberg occurred, such as the sinking of the Titanic; however, those are just conjectures.

We can safely say, therefore, that the figure of the iceberg was invented by Fechner without him even knowing it.