Chapter 16: Psychoanalysis Flashcards
Alfred Adler (1870–1937)
Austrian, member of Freud’s inner circle left the Freudian camp and created his own theory of personality, which emphasized the conscious mind and the individual creation of a worldview, guiding fictions, and a lifestyle in order to overcome feelings of inferiority and to seek perfection
Inferiority and Compensation: Adler introduced the concepts of inferiority and compensation, emphasizing the impact of perceived weaknesses on human behavior.
Social Interest: He highlighted the importance of social factors in shaping personality and introduced the concept of social interest, emphasizing concern for the welfare of society.
Creative Self: Adler proposed the idea of the creative self, asserting that individuals actively shape their personalities through choices and interpretations.
Joseph Breuer (1842–1925)
Austrian, The person Freud credited with the founding of psychoanalysis. Breuer discovered that when the memory of a traumatic event is recalled under deep relaxation or hypnosis, there is a release of emotional energy (catharsis) and the symptoms caused by the repressed memory are relieved
Cathartic Therapy: Breuer, along with Freud, developed cathartic therapy, exploring the release of repressed emotions to treat psychological symptoms.
Studies on Hysteria: Co-authored with Freud, this work documented their early collaboration in treating patients through cathartic methods.
Anna Freud (1895–1982)
Austrian, Became the official spokesperson for psychoanalysis after her father’s death.
Child Psychoanalysis: Anna Freud made significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of childhood disorders through psychoanalysis.
Ego Psychology: She expanded on her father’s work, particularly in the development of ego psychology, emphasizing the importance of the ego in understanding behavior.
Sigmund Freud (1856–1939)
Austrian, The founder of psychoanalysis, a school of psychology that stresses the conflict between the animalistic impulses possessed by humans and the human desire to live in a civilized society.
Interpretation of Dreams: Freud’s seminal work, where he introduced key concepts like the unconscious mind, repression, and dream analysis.
Oedipus Complex: Freud proposed the Oedipus complex as a central element in human psychosexual development.
Structural Model: Introduced the structural model of the mind with the id, ego, and superego.
Karen Horney
German, one of the first feminist psychologists. Trained in the Freudian tradition, she later broke away from the Freudians and created her own theory of mental disorders that emphasized cultural rather than biological (such as sexual) cause.
Basic Anxiety and Hostility: Introduced the concepts of basic anxiety and hostility, emphasizing disturbed parent-child relationships.
Feminine Psychology: Rejected Freud’s notions of penis envy, highlighting cultural influences on women’s psychology.
Carl Jung
Swiss, An early follower of Freud who eventually broke with him because of Freud’s emphasis on sexual motivation. he developed his own theory, which emphasized the collective unconscious and self-actualization
Analytical Psychology: Jung’s school of psychology, emphasizing the collective unconscious, archetypes, and individuation.
Archetypes: Introduced the concept of archetypes as universal symbols and themes in the collective unconscious.
Personality Types: Developed the idea of personality types, including introversion and extraversion.
Melanie Klein (1882–1960)
Austrian, An early child analyst whose theory emphasized the importance of the mother–child relationship and the development of the superego during the oral stage of development. By using play therapy, he believed that child analysis could begin as early as two years of age. His ideas concerning the psychology of children were often in conflict with those of Anna Freud
Object Relations Theory: Klein’s major contribution, emphasizing early relationships and their impact on mental health.
Play Therapy: Introduced play therapy as a method for understanding children’s unconscious thoughts and emotions.
Altruistic surrender (Anna Freud)
An ego defense mechanism, postulated by Anna Freud, whereby a person avoids personal anxiety by vicariously living the life of another person
Anatomy is destiny (Freud)
A phrase that encapsulates Freud’s belief that biological and anatomical differences between men and women contribute significantly to the development of distinct gender roles and characteristics
Anxiety
The feeling of impending danger. Freud distinguished three types of anxiety: objective anxiety, which is caused by a physical danger; neurotic anxiety, which is caused by the feeling that one is going to be overwhelmed by his or her id; and moral anxiety, which is caused by violating one or more values internalized in the superego
Archetype (Jung)
According to Jung, a universally present symbol or theme in the collective unconscious used to explain recurring symbols and patterns across cultures, such as the hero, mother, and shadow archetypes
Anal Stage (Stage) (Psychosexual development)
It occurs during ages 1 to 3, focusing on the child’s experience with toilet training and the pleasure associated with bowel movements
Anticathexis
A Freudian concept related to the psychic process of counteracting or opposing cathexis, which involves investing mental or emotional energy into an idea or object. Operates as a defense mechanism against potentially anxiety-provoking thoughts or desires
Basic anxiety (Horney)
According to Horney, the feeling of being alone and helpless in a hostile world that a child experiences when he or she represses basic hostility
Basic evil (Horney)
According to Horney, negative early experiences, such as neglect or abuse, that lead to the development of basic hostility. These experiences contribute to a child’s perception of the world as dangerous and unpredictable
Basic Hostility
According to Horney, the feeling of anger that a child experiences when he or she experiences the basic evil
Cathartic method
Used by Breuer and Freud, the release of repressed emotions and memories through the expression of associated thoughts and feelings. This method was an early precursor to psychoanalysis
Cathexis
In Freudian terms, involves the investment of emotional or mental energy into an idea, object, or person. It is a central concept in understanding the dynamics of desire and attachment
Collective unconscious (Jung)
Jung’s term for the part of the unconscious mind that reflects universal human experience through the ages. For Jung the most powerful component of the personality
Compensation (Adler)
According to Adler, the making up for a weakness by developing strengths in other areas
Countertransference
The process by which a therapist becomes emotionally involved with a patient
Creative self (Adler)
According to Adler, the component of the personality that provides humans with the freedom to choose their own destinies
Death instinct (Freud)
The innate drive toward self-destruction and an ultimate return to an inorganic state. (sometimes called death wish)
Developmental lines (Anna Freud)
A concept introduced by Anna Freud describing the major adjustments that typify the transition between childhood and adolescence and young adulthood
Displacement (Freud)
An ego defense mechanism, the redirection of emotions or impulses from their original target to a substitute target, often one less threatening
Dream analysis
A major tool that Freud used in studying the contents of the unconscious mind. Freud thought that the symbols dreams contain could yield information about repressed memories, just as hysterical symptoms could.
For Jung dreams provided a mechanism by which inhibited parts of the psyche might be given expression. Therefore, for Jung, it indicated which aspects of the psyche are underdeveloped
Dream work
The mechanism that distorts the meaning of a dream, thereby making it more tolerable to the dreamer
Ego (Freud)
According to Freud, the component of the personality that is responsible for locating events in the environment that will satisfy the needs of the id without violating the values of the superego.
Ego (Jung)
The ego is the conscious mind—the center of an individual’s awareness and identity. It is a part of the psyche but distinct from the self and the collective unconscious
Ego defense mechanisms
Strategies employed by the ego to cope with anxiety and protect the individual from distress. Examples include repression, denial, and projection.
Ego psychology (Anna Freud)
Psychology that emphasizes the autonomous functions of the ego and minimizes the conflicts among the ego, id, and superego
Extroversion (Jung)
One of the personality dimensions in Jung’s theory of personality types. The attitude toward life that is characterized by gregariousness and a willingness to take risks
Feelings of inferiority (Alder)
According to Adler, those feelings that all humans try to escape by becoming powerful or superior
Free association (Freud)
Freud’s major tool for studying the contents of the unconscious mind. Involves the spontaneous verbal expression of thoughts, feelings, and images without censorship. It is used to explore the unconscious mind.
Id (Freud)
According to Freud, the powerful, entirely unconscious portion of the personality the primal, instinctual part of the psyche, housing basic drives and desires. It operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification.
Identification with the aggressor (Anna Freud)
It involves adopting the characteristics or behaviors of an aggressor as a way to cope with or gain control over a threatening situation
Inferiority complex (Alder)
According to Adler, the condition one experiences when overwhelmed by feelings of inferiority instead of being motivated toward success by those feelings
Introversion (Jung)
One of the personality dimensions in Jung’s theory of personality types. Introverts are characterized by a focus on internal thoughts and feelings, solitude, and inner experiences.
Instincts (Freud)
Also known as drives, are innate, biologically based forces that motivate human behavior. Freud classified two main categories: life instincts (Eros) and death instincts (Thanatos).
Life instincts focus on self-preservation and the preservation of the species, including instincts for sex and hunger.
Death instincts involve a desire for aggression and destruction. Instincts play a central role in shaping personality and driving human actions, often operating at an unconscious level
Latency Stage (Freud) (Psychosexual development)
According to Freud’s psychosexual development theory, is the fourth stage occurring during middle childhood (ages 6 to puberty). During this stage, sexual impulses become dormant, and children focus on developing social and cognitive skills. Freud believed that sexual energy is channeled into non-sexual activities and learning during this period
Latent content (of a dream) (Freud)
In Freudian dream analysis, refers to the hidden and symbolic meanings embedded within the dream. Contrasts with manifest content.
Libido (Freud)
Refers to the psychic energy or life force associated with the sexual drive. It is a dynamic force that fuels human motivation, pleasure-seeking, and the pursuit of life-sustaining activities.
Libido (Jung)
Extends beyond Freud’s sexual focus. A broader psychic energy that encompasses both sexual and non-sexual aspects. Represents the general life force that drives psychological growth, creativity, and the pursuit of personal meaning.
Life instincts (or Eros) (Freud)
Represent the innate drives focused on self-preservation and the preservation of the species. They include instincts for sex, hunger, and thirst, aiming to sustain life
Manifest content (of a dream) (Freud)
Refers to the literal and visible elements of a dream that the dreamer can recall upon waking. Contrast with latent content
Moving against people (Horney)
One of the three major adjustment patterns to cope with basic anxiety. It involves a hostile approach, attempting to gain power and control to protect oneself from potential harm
Moving away from people (Horney)
An adjustment pattern where individuals adopt a detached stance to shield themselves emotionally. They create a psychological distance to avoid potential emotional involvement
Moving toward people (Horney)
An adjustment pattern characterized by a compliant and affiliative approach. Individuals adopting this pattern seek acceptance, approval, and support to overcome feelings of basic anxiety
Oedipus complex (Freud)
A central concept in Freudian psychoanalysis, refers to a child’s unconscious sexual desire for the opposite-sex parent and rivalry with the same-sex parent. It is a crucial aspect of psychosexual development
Oral stage (Freud) (Psychosexual development)
The first psychosexual stage of development (ages 0-1), focusing on the infant’s pleasure and conflict related to the mouth, such as sucking and biting
Overcompensation (Adler)
According to Adler, the conversion of a weakness into a strength
Overdetermination (Freud)
A particular behavior, symptom, or mental process can have multiple contributing causes. It challenges the notion of a single, direct cause for psychological phenomena
Parapraxes (Freudian slips)
Errors in speech, memory, or action that reveal unconscious thoughts or motives. Freud analyzed these as manifestations of repressed desires
Personal unconscious (Jung)
Contains an individual’s unique experiences, memories, and repressed material. Contrasts with collective unconscious
Repression (Freud)
A fundamental defense mechanism in Freudian theory, involves the unconscious exclusion of distressing thoughts, memories, or desires from awareness. It aims to prevent anxiety associated with these contents
Phallic Stage (Freud) (Psychosexual development)
According to Freud’s psychosexual development theory (ages 3-6), centers on the child’s pleasure and conflict related to the genital region. It includes the Oedipus complex and Electra complex
Seduction theory (Freud)
Suggested that neurotic symptoms resulted from actual childhood sexual abuse. Freud later abandoned this theory, emphasizing fantasy and the unconscious
Social interest (Alder)
The concern for other humans and for society that Adler believed characterizes a healthy lifestyle
Superego (Freud)
In Freudian theory, represents the moral and ethical component of the psyche. It internalizes societal norms and values, serving as a moral guide and influencing behavior through guilt and conscience
Synchronicity (Jung)
According to Jung, what occurs when unrelated events converge in a person’s life in a meaningful way. It challenges the traditional notion of causality and highlights the interconnectedness of the psyche and the external world
Teleology (Alder)
The process by which a patient responds to the therapist as if the therapist were a relevant person in the patient’s life
Unconscious motivation (Freud)
In psychoanalytic theory, the causes of our behavior of which we are unaware.
Wish fulfillment (Freud)
A central concept in Freudian dream theory, dreams serve as
a way for the unconscious mind to satisfy bodily needs, the id conjures up images of objects or events that will satisfy those needs
