Chapter 5: The Major Theoretical Models: Paving the Way Toward Integration Flashcards
Theoretical Models/Orientations
Can be understood as worldviews or philosophies about human behavior that provide a conceptual framework for research, assessment, and treatment of psychological problems
Psychological Orientations
Psychodynamic
Cognitive-Behavioral
Humanistic
Family Systems
Psychodynamic Approach
Began with Sigmund Freud;
Assumptions of the Psychodynamic Perspective
Human behavior is influenced by intrapsychic (within the mind) drives, motives, conflicts, and impulses, which are primarily unconscious
Various adaptive and maladaptive ego defense mechanisms are used to deal with unresolved conflicts, needs, wishes, and fantasies that contribute to both normal and abnormal behavior
Early experiences and relationships play a critical and enduring role in psychological development and adult behavior
Insight into these mostly unconscious influences, combined with working through them, help to improve psychological functioning and behavior
Analysis of the transferential relationship that develops between the patient and therapist also helps to resolve conflicts and improve psychological functioning and behavior
Transference
Involves the projection of early relationship dynamics onto the therapist who represents an authority figure similar to the patient’s parents, for example
Countertransference
Involves projection by the therapist onto the patient’s transference behavior
Categories of Psychodynamic Approach
Freudian Perspective
Revisionist Perspective
Modern Object Relations Perspective
Freud’s Psychoanalytic Perspective
Classical Freudian Analysis; Human behavior are understood based on three mental structures that are usually in conflict (Id, Ego, Superego)
Id
Developed at birth, operates on the pleasure principle and representsall of our primitive wishes, needs, and desires
Ego
Developed at about age one, operates on the reality principle and represents the rational and reasonable aspects of our personality helping us to adapt to a challenging world
Superego
Developed at about age 5 following the successful resolution of the Oedipus Complex, represents the internalization of the familial, cultural, and societal norms and mores; includes the ego ideal and our conscience
Ego Ideal
The perfect image or representation of who we are and who we can become
Conscience
The rules of good and bad feelings, thinking, and behavior; involves what we perceive to be right or wrong
Defense Mechanisms
Strategies developed by the ego to protect the person from internal and mostly unconscious conflicts
Types of Ego Defense Mechanisms
Repression Denial Reaction Formation Projection Sublimation Displacement
Repression
Keeping unpleasant thoughts, feelings, wishes, and conflicts out of consciousness
Denial
Denying that problematic feelings, thoughts or behaviors exist
Reaction Formation
Consciously thinking or feeling the opposite of the unconscious impulse
Projection
One’s own unconscious conflicts, feelings, and drives are perceived in someone else
Sublimation
Channeling unacceptable impulses toward less threatening sources
Psychopathology from the Psychoanalytic Perspective
Results from the maladaptive use of the defense mechanisms to cope with anxiety and conflict
Psychosexual Stages of Development
Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, and Genital Phases; Libidinal (Life Energies) are channeled toward different areas of the body that demand gratification during each of these phases; potential conflicts and problems can develop as a byproduct of fixations at any one of these stages
Oedipus Complex
Occurs during the phallic stage of development; During the Oedipal phase, a boy develops incestuous and murderous desires, wishing to be unified with his mother while necessarily eliminating his father; Resulting fears of retaliation and castration result in repression of these impulses and the use of reaction formation to identify with the father instead;
Electra Complex
Female variation of the Oedipus Complex