Chapter 7 - Psychoanalysis

Question 1

66) Psychoanalysis?

Answer 1

• A theory developed by an Austrian psychologist Freud in the late 19th century. Can be defined through Freud’s 3 independent achievements: a method, a theory of neuroses and a theory of normal mind. Both a method of treatment and research in exploring the mind.
• Important to the point that every person who’s heard of psychology probably has also heard of psychoanalysis. Freud’s signature theory. While some of the components of the theory were seen as controversial even during Freud’s time (childhood sexuality theory) many components (defence mechanisms, role of early childhood experiences) are still in use today.

Question 2

67) Theory of a normal mind?

Answer 2

• A part of Freud’s psychoanalysis theory developed in Austria in the late 19th century. Outlines 3 components the normal mind has: the id, the ego and the superego.
• The theory of psychoanalysis would not exist without this component and many defence mechanisms, that are defined as ways to cope developed by the ego, would not exist without the theory of normal mind.

Question 3

68) Cathartic method?

Answer 3

• A method of psychotherapy developed in the late 19th century by an Austrian psychologist Joseph Breuer
• Believed to have worked though the release of pent-up emotions of the patient, thereby treating them. Allegedly cured the case of Anna O. and possibly served as an inspiration of Freud’s psychoanalysis theory as Freud was friends with Breuer, the case of Anna O. was a cornerstone case for the psychoanalysis and both theories have parallels to the unconscious.

Question 4

69) Anna O?

Answer 4

• An Austrian woman from the late 19th century who played was treated for her condition by Freud’s friend Breuer.
• Played a vital role in the development of the cathartic method and served as an inspiration for Freud’s development of the psychoanalysis theory (was the cornerstone case for psychoanalysis and led to the development of Freud’s future theories). Through investigation the real identity was revealed which, due to her work in social activism, led to the German government issuing a stamp in her honour.

Question 5

70) Sigmund Freud?

Answer 5

• An Austrian psychologist of the mid 19th-early 20th century who became popular in the field of psychology due to his work in psychoanalysis.
• Put substantial work into his psychoanalysis theory that includes but isn’t limited to the development of concepts of id/ego/superego, defence mechanisms, sexuality theories, dream analysis and others. While many of the concepts, such as psychosexual stages, did not stand the test of time he still managed to have a significant translation into the field of contemporary psychology through bringing attention to the role of unconscious, showing that early childhood experiences mattered in future behaviors and defence mechanisms, all of which are still in use today.

Question 6

71) Id/Ego/Superego?

Answer 6

• Three main components of the theory of the normal mind developed by Freud in the late 19th century Austria. The id is the most primitive unconscious part that only seeks pleasure and avoids pain. The ego is the rational mediator between the id and the external world that operates according to the reality principle. The superego is the moral compass acting in the opposition to the id.
• Together, compose the theory of the normal mind which in turn is vital for the existence of psychoanalysis and most of Freud’s other theories. Especially important for the development of the defence mechanisms that are still used in psychology today.

Question 7

72) Karen Horney?

Answer 7

• A German psychoanalyst of the early-mid 20th century who presented a feminist view of psychoanalysis.
• Important for presenting an alternative view to psychoanalysis through the creation of a concept of womb envy. Did a lot of work on anxiety creating the concepts of basic anxiety and hostility. Overall, the main contribution was the reinterpretation of Freud’s theory into a theory that didn’t view women as neurotic as a condition of birth.

Question 8

73) Unconsciousness?

Answer 8

• Unconsciousness, as explored by Sigmund Freud in psychoanalysis, refers to the part of the mind containing thoughts, memories, and desires of which an individual is not consciously aware. Freud’s work with the unconscious mind, particularly through techniques like dream analysis and free association, revolutionized the understanding of human behavior and motivation in psychology.
• Freud’s exploration of the unconscious mind was influential in psychology as it highlighted the significance of unconscious processes in shaping behavior and mental health. One key concept from Freud’s work is the idea of defense mechanisms, which are unconscious strategies employed by the ego to manage anxiety and protect the individual from distressing thoughts or impulses. Understanding these defense mechanisms provides insights into how individuals cope with internal conflicts and maintain psychological equilibrium, contributing to the development of psychoanalytic theory and therapeutic approaches. And although it has been discredited today, the idea that behavior is influenced by unconscious processes is still very much true.

Question 9

74) Seduction theory?

Answer 9

• Seduction theory, proposed by Sigmund Freud, posited that symptoms of hysteria in his patients were caused by repressed memories of childhood sexual abuse, typically by a parent or caregiver.
• Seduction theory was influential in the field of psychology because it marked Freud’s early attempt to understand the origins of neurotic symptoms and psychopathology. However, Freud later abandoned this theory, and instead claimed that his patients’ reports of childhood sexual abuse were often fantasies rather than factual memories. This shift led Freud to develop the theory of infantile sexuality and the Oedipus complex, where young children experience unconscious sexual desires for the parent of the opposite sex and harbor feelings of jealousy and rivalry toward the parent of the same sex. Although discredited today, seductiont theory emphasized the role of unconscious fantasies and desires in shaping psychological development and behavior.

Question 10

75) Neo-Freudian?

Answer 10

• Neo-Freudians were psychologists who developed theories diverging from Sigmund Freud’s original psychoanalytic ideas, with Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, and Karen Horney being prominent figures among them.
• Carl Jung, a prominent Neo-Freudian, introduced the concept of the collective unconscious. He proposed that beyond an individual’s personal unconscious, there exists a deeper layer shared by all humans, containing universal symbols and archetypes inherited from ancestral experiences. This concept revolutionized psychoanalytic theory by suggesting that psychological phenomena are not solely determined by personal experiences but also by collective, transpersonal aspects of the human psyche, influencing fields beyond psychology, such as anthropology, literature, and art. This perspectives, along with input from other neo-freudians, broadened the scope of psychoanalytic theory and contributed to the evolution of psychology beyond Freudian principles.

Question 11

76) Free-association?

Answer 11

• Free association is a psychoanalytic technique where patients spontaneously express their thoughts, feelings, and memories without censorship. It was pioneered by Sigmund Freud as a method to explore the unconscious mind and uncover repressed experiences or emotions.
• Although many of Freud’s theories were discredited this method of free association is still widely practiced today, especially within counselling where a client centered semi-directive approach is often undertaken. Freud’s idea of free-association was influential because it essentially gave raise to talking therapy as we know it today.