3.1.5 - Freud

Question 1

Oedipus complex

Answer 1

• comes from stage three of the psychosexual stages – the phallic stage aged 3 to 5
• A child will be aggressive towards the same sex parent. For example the jealousy of a boy towards his father for getting in the way of the boys feelings for his mother
• Realises his father is too powerful and therefore tries to copy his traits so he can have the same traits his mother likes

Question 2

Unconscious - iceberg model

Answer 2

• The unconscious is the part of the mind containing thoughts, memories and desires of which we are unaware
• One of the key influences is its role as the origin of powerful aggressive instincts
• Even if we are not thinking aggressive thoughts (conscious), our behaviour may still be influenced by aggressive urges that are ‘hidden’ in the unconscious

Question 3

Personality and aggression

Answer 3

• Id (pleasure principal) - exists from birth and contained entirely in the unconscious. The origin of energy that motivates all of our behaviour (eg aggression). The Id obeys that pleasure principle and demands immediate gratification of desires with no consideration of other factors (instincts, impulses and drives that are socially unacceptable) —> if the Id is too powerful or not regulated by the superego, we can be too aggressive
• Ego (Reality principal) - rational and conscious part of the personality developed shortly after birth. It is the interface between the unrealistic desires of the Id and social reality. —> The ego doesn’t fulfil the Id’s aggressive urges directly but may satisfy its symbolically (fantasising about violence rather than punching someone)
• Superego (morality principal) - Fulfils the moral role and develops at age 5 to 6. Represents our Conscience or morals. Because aggression is destructive, the superego opposes the Id’s aggressive drive through guilt and shame when we failed to make the highest moral standards
• Aggression is linked to the superego (the conscience of the child) – the child unconsciously feels aggression towards the parents as they prevent things that will give the child pleasure (demands from the Id) and the aggression is caught up with the superego as the child loves his parents and so can’t direct the aggression at them so it’s taken into the child’s superego —> The ego has to pacify the Id and the superego and find a balance between their conflicting demands

Question 4

Catharsis

Answer 4

• Freud suggested that aggression is an instinctive drive that can be satisfied by catharsis – expressing aggression releases psychic energy, reducing the aggressive drive (venting anger)
• Preventing catharsis creates a buildup of energy which will eventually produce a destructive aggressive outburst - either inwards (SH or suicide) or outwards (A violent assault)
• Freud believed that direct expression of the impulse and aggressive behaviour was the most beneficial, catharsis can be achieved in a variety of ways: displacement = aggression towards someone is redirected against a less powerful and more available substitute or observing = watching others behave aggressively
• Eros (Life instinct) - An instinct for both self-preservation and sexual energy – urges and wishes from this in the unconscious lead to arousal and one of our drives is to reduce arousal. Freud suggested that aggression only occurs when Eros is blocked or frustrated
• Thanatos (death instinct) - I will drive to reduce arousal, reduce life, so is a death instinct. It provides energy for the ego to inhibit the sexual instinct. With aggression, the death instinct is channelled into something more productive e.g. playing or watching sport – catharsis. Thanatos can protect your own self but can lead indirectly to acts of aggression towards others
• However, studies like Bandura has shown that watching aggression tends to make someone feel more aggressive

Question 5

strengths

Answer 5

• Freuds ideas about treating mental health problems and addressing neurosis provided solutions that at the time were unavailable
• Freud generated his theory using in that case studies in which he looked at many aspects of a persons background and mental state. For example the case study of little hans is a strength for Freuds thoughts on the psychosexual stages of development. He demonstrated aggression towards his father, when issues around his mother and his feelings for her we discussed. —> this supports the Oedipus complex as during the phallic stage he experienced sexual attraction to his mother and felt aggression towards his father due to having to rival for her affection

Question 6

weaknesses

Answer 6

• Freud uses case studies which are not scientific – the findings are not generalisable beyond the individuals that he studied
• Concepts e.g. the conscious, Id, ego and superego are not measurable (aggression) and so cannot be tested therefore there is lack of scientific credibility
• The case studies e.g. little Hans involve some element of interpretation and so are subjective (interpreting his aggression and jealousy towards mother)