Competing Interests and Defence Mechanisms Flashcards
What were the 3 main points of Freud’s inner conflict approach?
- Conscious thoughts make up a small portion of our mind
- Most deep thoughts and urges are pushed into the subconscious part of the mind
- Psyche has 3 basic structures (competing interests)
What are Freud’s 3 competing interests?
Id, Superego and Ego
Describe the Id
Represents instant gratification, basic drives and is present at birth
Describe the Superego
Developed through childhood, moral principles and floods ego with shame and guilt
Describe the Ego
Stands for reason and good sense
Must balance the Id and Superego for healthy thought
Protects itself with defence mechanisms
What are the 9 different defence mechanisms
Repression, Rationalisation, Displacement, Regression Projection, Denial, Reaction formation, Sublimation and Compensation
What is Repression?
Subconsciously moving negative thoughts into the unconscious
(conscious –> subconscious –> unconscious)
What is Rationalisation?
Trying to find a justification
The use of self-deception to justify unacceptable behaviour
What is Displacement?
Transferring an idea or impulse to a less threatening object
What is Regression?
Return to a behaviour of an earlier age in life
What is Projection?
Seeing ones own faults in other people
What is denial?
Refusing to accept the reality of something negative
What is reaction formation?
Acting the opposite of what you feel in order to hide true feelings
What is sublimation?
Channelling behaviour into more socially acceptable behaviour
What is compensation?
Making up for unconscious impulses or fears
