Freud (psychodynamic theory) Flashcards
What did Freud believe was the best way to understand behaviour?
To examine early childhood experiences
What did he believe about criminality?
That it was linked to guilt
What part of our mind controls our behaviour?
The unconscious mind controls our behaviour, including criminality
What are the three parts of our personality?
Id
Ego
Superego
What is the role of the id?
controls our selfish and animalistic urges
What is the role of the ego?
seeks rational and sensible control
what is the role of the superego?
it is our moral conscience
The id wants …
instant gratification and represents our basic needs
The superego is…
our conscience and it tells us what is right and wrong
the ego is…
less primitive than the id and tries to be practical and realistic
What happens if the id dominates?
the mind will be uncontrollable and this is when criminality takes place
What happens if the superego is dominant?
the individual will be moralistic, expect perfection and rather judgmental
What happens if the ego is dominant?
the individual will be incapable of accepting change and desire a fixed and rigid lifestyle.
Children should progress from which principle?
The pleasure principle which is where the id is dominant and therefore need instant gratification to the reality principle where the ego is dominant.
What is said about criminals and the principles?
Criminals are those children who do not make the transition from the pleasure principle to the reality principle
