Chapter 7: Psychosocial Perspective (Ego Psychology)

Question 1

Psychosocial Perspective (Neoanalytic)

Answer 1

• based on psychoanalytic theory

- conflict between id and superego must be resolved by the ego: ego strength

Question 2

NeoFreudians Disagreement with Traditional Theory

Answer 2

• emphasis on sexuality and death
• emphasis on the unconscious
• neglect of the ego

Question 3

Neoanalytic Emphasis

Answer 3

• ego functioning: ego processes (erikson theory of development)
• ego relationships: interaction between the ego and others (attachments, self psychology)

Question 4

Principles of Ego Psychology

Answer 4

• shift emphasis from id to ego
• ego exists at birth
• ego acts autonomously
• cognitive processes of ego can be satisfying in themselves

Question 5

Ego Emphasis

Answer 5

• freud: focus of ego as mediator

- NA: ego is responsible for adaptation (conscious processes)

Question 6

Motivation and Ego Processes

Answer 6

• effectance motivation

- competence motivation

Question 7

Effectance Motivation

Answer 7

motive to have an effect on one’s surroundings: outlet for ego energy, evolves into competence motivation

Question 8

Competence Motivation

Answer 8

motive to be effective when dealing with the environment (growth, curiosity, learning)

Question 9

Adler: Inferiority and Competence Striving

Answer 9

• feelings of inferiority motivate striving for competency

- compensate for inferiority by striving superiority

Question 10

Adler: Adaptive Compensation Striving

Answer 10

meaningful goal attainment

Question 11

Adler: Maladaptive Compensation Striving

Answer 11

desire to dominate, taking without earning

Question 12

Adler: Birth Order Psychology

Answer 12

• different treatment depending on birth order
• influences personality
• determines inferiority, competence, striving

Question 13

Adler: The Firstborn

Answer 13

• receives attention
• high expectations
• want to maintain center of attention
• born leaders, achievers

Question 14

Adler: The Secondborn

Answer 14

• never had the power in the family
• always had a rival
• less sensitive to power issues
• always have to catch up with the firstborn
• leads to constant striving for superiority
• diplomatic, flexible, sociable
• best position in which to start life

Question 15

Adler: The Youngest Child

Answer 15

• always had a rival
• spoiled, indulged
• perceived value of striving is diminished
• rebellious, creative, entertaining, attention-seekers
• worst position in which to start life

Question 16

Scientific Evidence of Birthorder

Answer 16

• firstborns have higher IQs
• lastborns have lower academic achievement
• little scientific support on effect on personality

Question 17

Ego Control

Answer 17

ability to inhibit expression of impulses

Question 18

Ego Resiliency

Answer 18

modify ego control to adapt to demands of a situation

• high ego resiliency: adaptive, resourceful
• low ego resiliency: ego brittleness

Question 19

Karen Horney’s View of Inferiority

Answer 19

• feminist psychology
• reject concept of freud: penis envy
• men envy women’s role in childbirth: led to inferiority
• men compensate for inferiority: strong need to achieve
• women feel inferior because of cultural or social oppression: not penis envy

Question 20

Karen Horney’s View of Personality

Answer 20

• people are born with basic anxiety
• neurotic needs: distorted basic needs
• children combat anxiety by: being the perfect child, narcissism, bullying
• vicious cycle: basic anxiety - insecurity - heightened awareness - need of love - unmet need - deeper need - more basic anxiety and insecurity
• cycle can only be broken with affection needs being met

Question 21

Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development

Answer 21

individuals pass through stages of development: at each stage ego must resolve a conflict - ego maturation

Question 22

Erikson’s Theory

Answer 22

• ego identity: consciously experienced sense of self
• competence: need to feel competent and adequate
• during each stage a person experiences crisis
• period for high potential of growth and vulnerability
• crisis resolution = determinant for personality

Question 23

Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages

Answer 23

1. trust vs mistrust (infancy)
2. autonomy vs shame and doubt (early childhood)
3. initiative vs guilt (preschool)
4. industry vs inferiority (school)
5. identity vs role confusion (adolescence)
6. intimacy vs isolation (young adulthood)
7. generativity vs stagnation (adulthood)
8. ego integrity vs despair (old age)

Question 24

Trust vs Mistrust

Answer 24

• basic conflict: learning to trust the world
• resolve conflict: security and trust
• ego strength: hope, optimism

Question 25

Autonomy vs Shame/Doubt

Answer 25

- basic conflict: sense of autonomy in actions - resolved conflict: sense of control - unresolved: feeling unable to act independently - ego strength: will determination

Question 26

Initiative vs Guilt

Answer 26

- basic conflict: power struggle, desire to impose own will - resolve conflict: curiosity and exploration - too powerful: leads to disapproval and guilt - ego strength: purpose, pursue goals

Question 27

Industry vs Inferiority

Answer 27

- basic conflict: desire to accomplish things that other perceive as valuable - resolve conflict: feelings of mastery - unresolved: inferiority, regression - ego strength: competence

Question 28

Identity vs Role Confusion

Answer 28

- basic conflict: desire to figure out who you are - resolve conflict: sense of identity - ego strength: fidelity to oneself, truthfulness, loyalty

Question 29

Intimacy vs Isolation

Answer 29

- basic conflict: desire to form social relationships - resolve conflict: ability to form consistent, intimate, stable relationship - ego strength: love

Question 30

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Answer 30

- basic conflict: desire to create things in the world, leave your mark - resolve conflict: creativity, contribute to society through work and career - unresolved: lack of growth (depression) - ego strength: care or caring

Question 31

Ego Integrity vs Despair

Answer 31

- basic conflict: reflect on life - resolve conflict: believe that life had meaning, sense of satisfaction, integrity in face of impending death - unresolved: despair and fear of death - ego strength: wisdom

Question 32

The Epigenetic Principle

Answer 32

- issues that need to be resolved in each stage are present throughout the whole lifespan - each crisis is especially important during the corresponding stage, but will need to be addressed throughout life - crises are actually never completely resolved - as dealing with one crisis you are preparing for the next