Aggression: Psychodynamic Theory

Question 1

Who came up with the ‘Psychodnamic’ theory?

Answer 1

Freud

Question 2

Define the ‘conscious’ mind.

Answer 2

The mental activity we are aware of.

Question 3

Give an example of something that would take place in the conscious mind.

Answer 3

Thoughts and perceptions.

Question 4

Define the ‘subconscious’ mind.

Answer 4

The mental activity we can be made aware of if we tried.

Question 5

Give an example of something that would take place in the subconscious mind.

Answer 5

Memories and stored knowledge.

Question 6

Define the ‘unconscious’ mind.

Answer 6

The mental activity we are unaware of and cannot become aware of.

Question 7

Give an example of something that would take place in the unconscious mind.

Answer 7

Instincts and deeply buried memories.

Question 8

What is ‘Thanatos’ responsible for?

Answer 8

Our death instinct and instinct for self-destruction from the unconscious desire to die.

Question 9

What is ‘Eros’ responsible for?

Answer 9

Our life instinct and the preservation of it, including health and safety through our sexual drive.

Question 10

What emotions is Thanatos associated with?

Answer 10

Negative emotions, such as fear, hate and anger.

Question 11

What emotions is Eros associated with?

Answer 11

Positive emotions, such as love, cooperation, and other harmonious behaviours.

Question 12

Define the ‘Id’.

Answer 12

Primitive part of our personality that works on the pleasure principle and is driven by biological needs.

Question 13

Define the ‘Ego’.

Answer 13

A part of our personality that aims the gratify the demands of the id by working on the reality principle of what is socially acceptable to carry out. It also aims to protect us from harm through defence mechanisms

Question 14

Define the ‘Superego’.

Answer 14

A part of our personality that develops last and is an internalised representation of the values and morals of society by working on the morality principle to satisfy the id through working out what is right and wrong to do.

Question 15

How is conflict between the parts of our personality get resolved?

Answer 15

Conflict between the id and the superego is resolved through defence mechanisms.

Question 16

Defence mechanisms

Answer 16

If the systems are not in balance, then the following defence mechanisms may be used
Displacement – satisfying an impulse with a substitute object
Repression – ego stops disturbing or threatening thoughts from becoming conscious

Question 17

Briefly describe what happens to a boy as they pass through the Oedipus complex.

Answer 17

• Develops sexual drive for mother
• Rejects the father and may act aggressively towards him as he is a rival
• Begins to fear father through internal conflict
• Assumes if father finds out he will castrate him
• To resolve this the boy takes on the father’s superego

Question 18

Briefly describe what happens to a girl as they pass through the Electra complex.

Answer 18

• Due to girls not having a penis they can’t develop a conscience through castration anxiety
• Therefore they develop penis envy and show anger towards the mother
• As a result of this the superegos of females are weaker than males and so are morally inferior

Question 19

Explain why the superego might be weak.

Answer 19

• If they have a deviant father whose morals will be inferior - If they are a girl and have an unresolved superego
• If the Oedipus complex is unresolved due to no father for it to properly develop

Question 20

Briefly describe how a harsh superego can lead to aggression?

Answer 20

• Through identifying with a strict parent
• Resulting in feelings of guilt and obsession when the id attempts to get any satisfaction
• This can either lead to abiding by the law or defying it in order to seek punishment for feelings of guilt.

Question 21

Briefly describe how a weak superego can lead to aggression?

Answer 21

• Through a poor or absent parent
• Individual is selfish and uncaring
• Deviance may develop if father is deviant even if the Oedipus complex is fully resolved

Question 22

Describe how displacement can explain aggression.

Answer 22

Someone who feels anger towards their parent who cannot express it directly to them may displace it onto someone more inferior, such as bullying.

Question 23

Define ‘catharsis’.

Answer 23

An emotional release of unconscious conflicts.

Question 24

Give an example of cathartic activities

Answer 24

Watching aggressive behaviour on TV.

Question 25

How might catharsis reduce aggression?

Answer 25

• When repressed ideas are brought into the conscious mind the feelings are released
• This releases the energy that was being used up
• And so the person is ‘freed’ from these emotions

Question 26

Identify the elements of Freud’s theory as an explanation for aggression?

Answer 26

• Frustration from not receiving gratification of the id
• A weak superego that leads to a lack of discipline of the urges of the id
• A strong id that seeks immediate gratification irregardless of the possibility of punishment
• Displacing hostility towards parents on inferior groups
• Feeling hostile towards father (if a boy) and mother (if a girl) due to Oedipus and Electra complexes
• If they have a weak superego from a deviant father there will be a lack of moral discipline on aggressive urges for violent crime
• If unconscious negative emotions are continually repressed without any energetic release of it from catharsis