6- Theory behind therapies

Question 1

key models created by Freud (1856-1939)

Answer 1

1) Freud’s topographical model
2) Freuds structural model
3) Freudian defence mechanisms
4) Freuds theory of psychosexual development
5) Transference

Question 2

Freuds topographical model

Answer 2

Freuds view of the human mind- the iceberg of consciousness
- Often not aware of factors which affect our conscious thinking

Question 3

Freuds strucutral model

Answer 3

linked with the topogrpahical model

• Ego
• Id- animalisitic part of us
• Super ego

Question 4

Freudian defence mechanisms split into

Answer 4

primitive and mature

Question 5

primitive defence mechanisms

Answer 5

• projection
• dissociation
• idealisation
• regression

Question 6

mature defence mechanisms

Answer 6

• humour
• supression
• altruism
• sublimation

Question 7

Projection:

Answer 7

Perceiving and reacting to unacceptable inner impulses as though they were outside the self.
* E.g. if you break up with someone, you may start thinking that the other person didn’t want to be with you either to make yourself feel less bad
* E.g. parent saying child too tired/ill to go on play date, but actually that’s how they are feeling

Question 8

Projected identification

Answer 8

when the person being accused starts to feel like they are to be blamed due to the other persons projection

Question 9

Dissociation:

Answer 9

Disconnecting self from areas of identity, memory, consciousness or perception to retain an illusion of control.

Question 10

Idealization:

Answer 10

Attributing perfect or near perfect qualities to others as a way of avoiding anxiety or negative feelings such as contempt, anger or envy
* E.g. Stockholm syndrome

Question 11

Regression:

Answer 11

Returning to an earlier phase of development or functioning to avoid the conflicts and tensions associated with one’s present level of development

Question 12

humour

Answer 12

Finding comic and/or ironic elements in difficult situations to reduce unpleasant affect and personal discomfort

Question 13

suppression

Answer 13

Consciously deciding not to attend to a particular feeling, state or impulse.

Question 14

altruism

Answer 14

Committing oneself to the needs of other over and above one’s own needs. May be in service of narcissistic problems but also the source of great achievement

Question 15

sublimation

Answer 15

Transforming socially objectionable or internally unacceptable aims into socially acceptable ones.

Question 16

freuds theory of psychosexual development

Answer 16

When a child is growing up they go through certain stages of development/. Each stage has a major task associated with them e.g. oral phase is learning how to feed, anal phase is learning how to control defaecation

• Learning elements have a sexual drive up until Latent stage -> goes to sleep till puberty, then gets turned back on during the genital stage (puberty)

Question 17

Transference

Answer 17

• Transference is the unconscious redirection of feelings from one person to another. One definition of transference is “the inappropriate repetition in the present of a relationship that was important in a person’s childhood“
• Counter Transference involves the reaction caused in a therapist as a result of transference.
• A Transference neurosis is the (intentional) recreation of an earlier relationship in the present therapeutic space which both reveals the presence of the earlier relationship and allows the possibility of managing it differently