Freud’s psychodynamic theory of aggression P1 Flashcards
What is the conscious mind?
- Everything were aware of
- Mental processing that we can think + talk abt rationally
What is the preconscious mind?
- Ordinary memory
- Not consciously aware of this info at any given time but can retrieve + pull it into consciousness when needed
What is the unconscious mind?
- Unacceptable/unpleasant feelings, thoughts, urges, + memories that are outside our conscious awareness
- Influences our behaviour even though were unaware
Where do these unconscious influences come from?
Past experiences + innate instincts
What are neuroses?
Mental health problems that individual is aware of suffering from
What are psychoses?
MH problems where individuals arent aware of their problems + dont have insight into nature of their problems
Explain the Id as how it can explain aggression:
- Seeks immediate gratification
- Immediate desires + impulses
- Born with it
- Works on pleasure principle
More likely to be aggressive if want something immediately
Explain the ego as how it can explain aggression:
- Works on reality principle
- Satisfies Id with what’s realistically possible, balance
Can prevent impulsive aggression
Explain the super-ego as how it can explain aggression:
- Works on morality principle
- Develop from parents at age 5, taught right from wrong
Stops impulsive actions because its wrong
Before age 5 = no moral standards, more aggression
How do the Id + super-ego cause aggression in adults?
Strong Id and weak super-ego = seek pleasure + aware of punishment but not bothered by it
Individual is selfish + uncaring
What is the oedipus complex in personality?
Consciously predisposed to being in love with one parent + hating the other
Focused on boys
Longs for affection from mother, jealous of father
Can cause jealousy later in life
What is a harsh super-ego a result of?
Harsh punishment from parents
May lead to being aggressive as adults due to parents not being there, and wanting punishment to satisfy super-ego
What is the electra complex in personality?
- In girls
- Jealous of mother + father’s relationship, want father’s love solely
- If not resolved, can be jealous + spiteful later in life
How does a weak superego develop?
Same-sex parent absent during phallic stage of psycho-sexual development
Means we fall to internalise moral values of same sex parent
What is the consequence of a weak superego?
Person reacts in ways that show few inhibitions against anti-social behaviour
Act in ways that gratify their Id
How does a deviant superego develop?
If child internalises morals of criminal/deviant same-sex parent
What is the consequence of a deviant superego?
Their superego wont react to criminal acts engaged in by same sex parent, so may reproduce same behaviour
