Chapter 2 Flashcards
What is a theory
It is a set of specific concepts explaining behaviour, development, scientific pursuit. In order for a theory to be good it must be, parsimonious (concise), falsifiable (testable), and heuristic (builds on previous theories).
What are the theories of development
- Psychoanalytic
- Learning
- Cognitive development
- Evolutionary
- Ecological systems
What is Freud’s psychosexual theory
Freud’s theory states maturation of the sex instinct underlies stages of personality development, and that the manner in which parents manage children’s instinctual impulses determines the traits that children display.
What is the Id
The part of the mind in which innate instinctive impulses and primary processes are manifest
Basic impulses: sex, aggression, etc
What is the ego
The mediator between the id and the superego, the rational part of the psyche. It operates mainly on a conscious level.
What is the superego
The perfectionist part of your brain that strives to be as moral as possible.
What are Freud’s stages of development
The psychosexual stages of development
- Oral
- Anal
- Phallic
- Latency
- Genital
Explain the first stage of Freud’s theory
The first stage is the oral stage which lasts from birth to 1 year old. The sex instinct centres on the mouth because infants derive pleasure from such oral activities as sucking, chewing, and biting. Feeding activities are particularly important. For example, an infant weaned too early or abruptly may later crave close contact and become over-dependent on a spouse.
If there’s too little or too much of oral pleasure, you will get fixated which will influence future behaviours: smoking, chewing, etc
Explain the second stage of Freud’s theory
The second stage is the anal stage which lasts from 1.5 years to 3 years old. Voluntary urination and defecation become the primary methods of gratifying the sex instinct. Toilet training produces major conflicts between children and parents. The emotional climate that parents create can have lasting effects. For example, children who are punished for toileting “accidents” may become inhibited, messy, or wasteful.
- Parents too strict: Fixation retention: rigid, stingy, very neat
- Parents too free: Elimination: messy, wasteful, or destructive personality
Explain the third stage of Freud’s theory
The third stage is the phallic stage which is from 3 to 6 years old. At this stage, pleasure is now derived from genital stimulation. Children develop an incestuous desire for the opposite-sex parent (called the Oedipus complex for boys and the Electra complex for girls). Anxiety stemming from this conflict causes children to internalize the sex-role characteristics and moral standards of their same-sex parental rival.
Oedipus/Electra complex: child competes with the parent of the same sex for the affections & pleasures of the parent of the opposite sex
Females also supposedly develop penis envy at this stage. Meaning they wish they had a penis.
Explain the fourth stage of Freud’s theory
The fourth stage is the latency stage and it lasts from 6 to 11 years. At this stage, traumas of the phallic stage cause sexual conflicts to be repressed and sexual urges to be rechannelled into schoolwork and vigorous play. The ego and superego continue to develop as the child gains more problem-solving abilities at school and internalizes societal values.
The latent period is a time of exploration in which the sexual energy is repressed or dormant. This energy is still present, but it is sublimated into other areas such as intellectual pursuits and social interactions. This stage is important in the development of social and communication skills and self-confidence.
Freud believed that it was possible for children to become fixated or “stuck” in this phase. Fixation at this stage can result in immaturity and an inability to form fulfilling relationships as an adult.
Explain the fifth stage of Freud’s theory
The fifth stage is the genital stage and it lasts from 12 onwards. At this stage, puberty triggers a reawakening of sexual urges. Adolescents must now learn how to express these urges in socially acceptable ways. If development has been healthy, the mature sex instinct is satisfied by marriage and raising children.
If there is a conflict at this stage, the person will have relationships based on lust, not commitment.
If the other stages have been completed successfully, the individual should now be well-balanced, warm, and caring.
What are the contributions of the psychoanalytic theory of Freud (and Freud generally)
- He introduced the idea of unconscious motivation: Things lay below the conscious level of awareness
- He introduced the concept of consequences of early development
- He introduced the idea of defence mechanisms
What are the cautions of the psychoanalytic theory of Freud (and Freud generally)
- The psychoanalytic concepts are difficult to test
- There is an overemphasis on the unconscious forces & sex
- There is inadequate evidence, sexism and lack of cross-cultural support
What is Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory
Erikson’s revision of Freud’s theory, which emphasizes sociocultural (rather than sexual) determinants of development and asserts a series of eight psychosocial conflicts that people must resolve successfully to display healthy psychological adjustments.
Each conflict emerges at a distinct time dictated by both biological maturation and social demands that developing people experience at particular points in life. Each crisis must be resolved successfully in order to prepare for a satisfactory resolution of the next life crisis.
What are Eriksons stages of development
The psychosocial stages of development
- Basic trust versus mistrust
- Autonomy versus shame and doubt
- Initiative versus guilt
- Industry versus inferiority
- Identity versus role confusion
- Intimacy versus isolation
- Generativity versus stagnation
- Ego integrity versus despair
Explain the first stage of Erikson’s psychosocial theory
The first stage is the basic trust versus mistrust stage and it lasts from birth to 1 year. At this stage, infants must learn to trust others to care for their basic needs. If caregivers are rejecting or inconsistent, the infant may view the world as a dangerous place filled with untrustworthy or unreliable people. The primary caregiver is the key social agent.
Explain the second stage of Erikson’s psychosocial theory
The second stage is autonomy versus shame and doubt and it lasts from 1 to 3 years. At this stage, children must learn to be “autonomous”—to feed and dress themselves, to look after their own hygiene, and so on. Failure to achieve this independence may force the child to doubt his or her own abilities and feel shameful. Parents are the key social agents.
Explain the third stage of Erikson’s psychosocial theory
The third stage is the initiative versus guilt and it lasts from 3 to 6 years. At this stage, children attempt to act grown up and will try to accept responsibilities that are beyond their capacity to handle. They sometimes undertake goals or activities that conflict with those of parents and other family members, and these conflicts may make them feel guilty. Successful resolution of this crisis requires a balance; the child must retain a sense of initiative yet learn not to impinge on the rights, privileges, or goals of others. The family is the key social agent.
