Freud - Little Hans Flashcards
Theory of the study?
Sexuality is evident from birth.
Different parts of the body are particularly sensitive at different times of childhood.
Psychosexual stages.
What are the psychosexual stages?
Oral stage - 0-1 year Anal stage - 1-3 years Phallic stage - 3-5 years Latency stage - 5-13years Genial stage - 13+
Oral stage??
The mouth is vital for eating, and the infant derives pleasure from oral stimulation through gratifying activities such as tasting and suckling.
Anal stage??
Developing control over the bowel and bladder leads to feelings of accomplishment and independence.
Pleasure from defecating.
Ego develops.
Phallic stage??
Children begin to notice the pleasure that can be derived from their own genitals and that there is a difference between males and females.
Oedipus complex.
Electra complex.
Latency stage??
Sexual energy is still present, but is directed to developing socially and intellectually.
Genial stage??
Develop strong feelings for opposite sex. This starts in puberty but lasts for life. Interest in the welfare of others grows. If other stages have been completed successfully, then a person will be warm, caring and well balanced.
Background to study?
Hans developed a phobia. Freud beloved it was caused by his unconscious mind, which hans is unaware of.
Hans father referred hans to Freud so Freud can interpret his behaviour and tell him why he is behaving as he is - psychoanalysis.
Freud showed hans’ phobia , dreams and fantasies were symbolic of his unconscious mind through the phallic stage.
The study supported his theory of the Oedipus complex (attraction for mother).
Research method?
Case study - longitudinal study.
Hans 3-5 years.
Data was collected by father regularly observing and questioning hans. Freud gave him advice on how to proceed.
Sample??
Hans.
Study hans for two years means Freud can support his theory of psychosexual development and the Oedipus complex.
Procedure of the study??
When Hans was three he had a tendency to masturbate.
At 3 and a half he had a baby sister, who he wished his mother dropped her in the bath (jealous of the attention).
Hans developed a phobia of white horses (saw a horse collapse// resembled his dad)
Wished attention from mother, afraid she would leave.
The giraffe fantasy (like giraffes//dads big penis).
Two plumber fantasies (resembling fathers characteristics).
The parenting fantasies (wants a family// married to mother).
Having received ‘help’ from father and Freud, after the parenting fantasy, the ‘illness’ came to an end.
Key findings.
Fear of horses due to resemblance of father (reigns and moustache with glasses).
He fear of father was caused by the Oedipus complex.
Fantasies caused by Oedipus complex - linked with wanted to become like the father.
Conclusions.
His study supported:
Theory of psychosexual development.
Phallic stage - Oedipus complex.
People aren’t consciously aware of their behaviour.
Use of psychoanalytic therapy to treat thoughts and behaviour by identifying the unconscious causes then bringing them to the conscious to be discussed and resolved.
Limitations of the study??
Non-experimental so no cause and effect, lack of control over other variables which may have caused behaviour.
Small sample - lack of external validity as you can’t generalise beyond sample.
Qualitative data can be subjective - prone to be bias, lack of internal validity.
Hans wasn’t aware of being studied - low ethics.
Strengths of the study??
Collect rich dea tailed information to develop understanding on hans behaviour.
Qualitative data allows insightful interpretations of development.
