Ego Psych, (4)

Question 1

What is the main premise of ego psychology?

Answer 1

The ego is more important than the id. Focused on faulty ego development, rather than libidinal or sexual drives, as the cause of pathology.

Question 2

Name a few psychologists who practice ego psychology?

Answer 2

Horney, Erikson, Freud (Anna), Sullivan.

Question 3

What did Horney argue was the purpose of life?

Answer 3

The actualization of the real self (developing one’s innate capacities, emotions, and interests).

Question 4

What drive does Horney argue is more powerful than the sexual or aggressive drive?

Answer 4

The drive for security. Without witch, results in neurotic conflicts.

Question 5

When does Horney believe self-actualization is present?

Answer 5

Potential for growth and self-actualization present at birth and extends throughout the lifespan.

Question 6

Horney believed that people cope with conflict by relating to others in one of three ways. What are those ways?

Answer 6

Moving toward people
Moving against people
Moving away from people

Question 7

What are the four competing selves that all people have?

Answer 7

1. The real self, which has potential for growth
2. The idealized self, which is an image of what we should be to be accepted
3. The despised self, which results from recognizing that we fall short of the idealized self
4. The actual self, which is all we are at a given time.

Question 8

What are the four patterns that make up Horney’s “tyranny of the shoulds”?

Answer 8

Self-effacing people - humble, trusting, and giving.
Arrogant-vindictive people - in charge and independent, attack before being attacked, and distrust others. Narcissistic people -supremely competent, admired by all, and accept no limitations. Detached people - should not need other people or expect anything out of

Question 9

What did Horney believe about people’s innate characteristics?

Answer 9

They are possibilities shaped through reciprocal interaction with their environments.

Question 10

How did Horney view the therapists role?

Answer 10

Helping people become aware of their conflicts without being overwhelmed by them, facilitating both emotional and intellectual insight, and reawakening the capacity for self-realization and joy.

Question 11

Name some techniques Horney used in her approach.

Answer 11

Works collaboratively with the client. Free association, analysis of dreams, countertransference and transference, empathy, and education.
Horney’s approach also pays considerable attention to exploring the cultural, social, family context, and life situation of the client.

Question 12

What were Anna Freud’s areas of specialization and how did she approach them?

Answer 12

Child development and the ego defenses. Educationally, not analytically!

Question 13

How does strengthening of the ego work?

Answer 13

Gradually gains control over the id allows children to mature from primary process, instinctual, id-governed behavior to the secondary process, ego-driven behaviors and experiences of adults.

Question 14

Explain ego defense mechanisms.

Answer 14

Used to cope with anxiety stimulated by either unacceptable drives from the id or harmful threats and commands from the superego.

Question 15

What was the main goal of Anna Freud’s work?

Answer 15

Help clients adapt to their environment better and to replace their defenses with healthier forms of coping.

Question 16

What are the three reasons Anna Freud believes children participate in psychoanalysis?

Answer 16

1. They trust and believe in an adult whom they perceive as helpful and interested.
2. They wish to please the therapist.
3. They view the therapist as a sort of understanding and safe parent.

Question 17

In addition to supportive interventions, what else did Anna Freud suggest to facilitate childhood development?

Answer 17

Efforts to change the environment were often more appropriate, addressing the after effects of external events such as inadequate parenting and environmental traumas.

Question 18

What did Sullivan contribute to the field of psychoanalysis?

Answer 18

First to emphasize the importance of interpersonal relationships in the development of personality, and he identified the important role anxiety plays in motivating human behavior.

Question 19

What did Erikson contribute to the field pf psychoanalysis?

Answer 19

He divided the life cycle into eight psychosocial stages of development, with each stage having its own important life task to be mastered.