freud

Question 1

What are the main concerns of personality researchers regarding Freud?

Answer 1

Human nature, individual differences, organization of ‘bits’ of people, ‘salient’ factors, and reputation.

Question 2

How does Freud’s structural model describe the mind?

Answer 2

The mind is divided into the ID (pleasure-seeking), EGO (reality-seeking), and SUPEREGO (perfection-seeking).

Question 3

What is the role of the ID in Freud’s structural model?

Answer 3

The ID is pleasure-seeking, impulsive, species-serving, and instinctive, influenced by Darwin’s ideas.

Question 4

How does the EGO function according to Freud?

Answer 4

The EGO balances the demands of the ID and SUPEREGO, focusing on reality and self-management without breakdown.

Question 5

What characterizes the SUPEREGO?

Answer 5

The SUPEREGO seeks perfection and serves society, acting as a moral compass.

Question 6

What are the three levels of consciousness in Freud’s topographical model?

Answer 6

Conscious (aware of surroundings), Pre-conscious (aware when context is provided), and Unconscious (affects us but is nearly inaccessible).

Question 7

How does the unconscious impact behavior?

Answer 7

It contains hidden influences like early traumas that shape experiences and personality.

Question 8

What principle governs Freud’s concept of energy?

Answer 8

Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it is expressed, blocked, delayed, or modified.

Question 9

What are Freud’s four inherited instincts?

Answer 9

Life instinct (Eros), sexual instinct (Libido), ego instinct (self-preservation), and death instinct (Thanatos).

Question 10

What causes trauma according to Freud?

Answer 10

Trauma occurs when instinct expression is harmful or threatens the self.

Question 11

What is Freud’s primary defense mechanism?

Answer 11

Repression, which blocks unwanted material from conscious awareness.

Question 12

What are some mature and pathological defense mechanisms?

Answer 12

Mature: altruism, humor; Pathological: psychotic denial, delusional projection.

Question 13

What is the key task and lesson of the oral stage (0-1)?

Answer 13

Key task: Weaning; Key lesson: Trust in self and world. Erogenous zone is the mouth, biting, sucking etc.

Question 14

What characterizes the anal stage (1-3)?

Answer 14

Erogenous zone is the anus; key task is toilet training; lesson involves control over self and others.

Question 15

What is the key lesson of the phallic stage (3-5)?

Answer 15

Sexual and gender orientation, with the resolution of the Oedipal complex as the key task. Erogenous zone is the genitals.

Question 16

What happens during the latency stage (6-12)?

Answer 16

Repressed libidinal energy, focus on social interaction outside the family. No erogenous zone

Question 17

What is the focus of the genital stage (adolescence)?

Answer 17

Establishing a family, with identity as the key lesson. Erogenous zone is the genitals, now sexualised.

Question 18

What results from fixation or regression in psychosexual stages?

Answer 18

Habitual forms of instinct expression get locked in an immature stage or revert to it under stress.

Question 19

What happens if the ID or SUPEREGO becomes too strong?

Answer 19

A strong ID leads to wanton self-gratification (under-controlled); a strong SUPEREGO causes rigid judgmental behavior (over-controlled).

Question 20

What traits define oral personalities?

Answer 20

Over-indulged: optimistic, gullible; Under-indulged: pessimistic, suspicious.

Question 21

What is the “anal triad”?

Answer 21

Traits related to orderliness, obstinacy, and parsimony/miserliness.

Question 22

How do anal retentive and anal expulsive personalities differ?

Answer 22

Retentive: rigid, perfectionist; Expulsive: messy, disorganized, rebellious.

Question 23

What are key Freudian notions about psychological processes?

Answer 23

Much motivation is unconscious, psychological processes occur in parallel, and traits often form in infancy.

Question 24

How does ego strength relate to personality?

Answer 24

A strong ego balances the needs of the ID, SUPEREGO, and reality, leading to a resilient personality.