Freud's Theory of Aggression Flashcards
What are the two instincts mentioned in Freud’s theory of aggression that belongs in the unconscious?
Eros - concerned with keeping us alive
Thanatos - death instinct, tries to kill us
What are the parts of the mind according to Freud’s theory?
Conscious
Pre-conscious
Unconscious
What is the conscious?
What we are thinking about and are aware of at this moment in time.
What is the pre-conscious?
What we are not thinking about but is accessible if we need it.
What is the unconscious?
What we are not aware of.
Desires, thoughts and memories that we can’t cope with are put here.
What are the structures of the personality according to Freud?
ID
Ego
Super Ego
What does the Ego do?
It has to mediate between the ID (Instincts/pleasure) and Super Ego (Morality).
Describe ID, Ego and Super Ego in a psychotic person
They have an overpowering ID but still have a Super Ego that feels guilt
Describe the ID, Ego and Super Ego in a psychopathic person
They have an overpowering Id but no Super Ego, and therefore feel no guilt
Name 2 defence mechanisms
Sublimation and Displacement
What is sublimation?
Expressing undesirable thoughts or emotions in acceptable ways
eg showing aggression through playing rugby
What is displacement?
Not taking your anger out on the person you are angry with, but with something else.
eg kicking the cat when your angry with your Mum
What is catharsis?
Bringing unconscious thoughts to the conscious and releasing them in an acceptable way. Allows unconscious thoughts to be expressed through fantasy or action.
eg watching violent TV or playing a violent sport
Name 2 strengths of Freud’s theory
Feshback and Singer - found that high school students who viewed violent TV committed fewer aggressive acts than those who did not.
Kunter and Olson - found that 62% of players reported that playing violent video games helped them to relax, while 45% said it helped release their anger.
Name 2 weaknesses of Freud’s theory
Bushman - found that ppts that hit a punching bag were more likely to administer a loud noise to someone who insulted them than those who didn’t
Lack of objective, scientific data as the unconscious, id and thanatos are not directly observable
