Chapter 7: Psychoanalysis Flashcards
who did Freud work with
- Charcot –> was doing work on using hypnosis as treatment for hysteria, and how hysteria could cause paralysis
- Charcot made the comment “it was always about the genitals” –> inspired Freud’s theory
describe the case of Anna O
- after death of father, had problems like headaches, paralyses, periods of overexcitement, etc.
- other symptoms of multiple personalities, hallucinations, etc.
- Breuer used hypnosis the reach causes of symptoms –> used catharsis method
describe the catharsis method
- symptoms were believed to be the result of pent-up emotions
- if the emotion was released, the symptoms would disappear
what led Freud to his theory of psychoanalysis
Breuer’s treatment of Anna O. with the catharsis method (although Breuer disagreed with Freud’s sexual take on it)
what were the three interdependent achievements by Freud
- a method
- a theory of the neuroses
- a theory of the normal mind
describe the id according to Freud
- present at birth
- life instincts (sexual) and death instincts (aggression)
- most primitive part of mind, most inaccessible
- no morality
- pleasure seeking energy (libido)
describe the ego according to Freud
- purpose is to help id satisfy its demands
- operates according to reality principle
- controls instincts (but doesn’t inhibit them)
describe the superego according to Freud
- develops through child’s experiences, parental teachings, etc.
- represents individual’s moral compass
- may act in direct opposition to the id
what were some symptoms of “hysteria”
- mostly in women
- hallucinations, headaches, paralysis, etc.
- sexual dysfunction
- neuroses
what were central to Freud’s theory of neuroses
anxiety, defence mechanisms and childhood sexuality
according to Freud when does anxiety develop
when the demands from any of the three factors of the mind overwhelm the ego
neurotic anxiety
results from concerns about the id
moral anxiety
experienced from violations of the restrictions imposed by the superego
objective anxiety
experienced by threats from the external world
describe Freud’s notion of defence mechanisms
- developed by ego to cope with anxieties
- operate at unconscious level
- e.g. repression, denial, rationalization, projection
rationalization
inventing new ways to think about disappointing or tragic events
projection
attributing negative qualities to others that are part of ourselves
describe the benefits and downfalls of defence mechanisms
- can temporarily help avoid or reduce anxiety
- psychic energy needed to keep anxiety repressed can eventually cause defence mechanisms to break down –> neuroses and psychoses result