Internal Systems Flashcards
Explain what is Sigmund Freud’s concept of Three Levels of the Mind.
- An internal system consists of conscious, preconscious and unconscious mental processes.
- Topographical model of the mind, which he described the three levels of the mind: conscious, preconscious and unconscious
Explain the CONSCIOUS MIND from Freud’s Three Levels of the Mind.
The conscious mind consists of all the mental processes we are aware of, including things we know about ourselves and our
surroundings. This is seen as the tip of the iceberg.
Example: you might be feeling hungry a this moment and decide to eat. At the same time, you are aware that you are not
allowed to eat in the lecture room, so you decide to excuse yourself and quickly take your dinner in the pantry. 10% of the mind’s work is made up of conscious thought.
The conscious mind can address two main functions:
- Its ability to direct where a person wants to focus
- Its ability to imagine that which is not real.
Explain the PRECONSCIOUS MIND from Freud’s Three Levels of the Mind.
The preconscious mind contains thoughts and feelings that a person is not currently aware of, but which can easily be brought to consciousness.
It exists just below the level of consciousness.
The preconscious is like a waiting room, in which thoughts remain until
they ‘succeed in attracting the eye of the conscious’. It consists of things which we could pay attention to if we so desired. For example, you are presently not thinking about your mobile number, but now that it is mentioned, you recall it with ease. Mild emotional
experiences may be in the preconscious mind. They are available for easy recall.
Explain the UNCONSCIOUS MIND from Freud’s Three Levels of the Mind.
The unconscious mind comprises mental processes that are
inaccessible to consciousness but influence one’s judgment,
feelings, or behaviour.
According to Freud, the unconscious mind
is the primary source of human behaviour.
Like an iceberg, the most
important part of the mind is the part you cannot see. Our feelings, motives and decisions are powerfully influenced by our past
experiences and stored in the unconscious.
Explain what is Sigmund Freud’s concept of Structural Theory of Personality
Freud applied the three levels of the mind to his theory of personality.
His theory emphasises that human behaviour is the result of the interactions amongst three main components of the mind: the id, ego and
superego.
Freud believed that the id, ego and superego are in constant conflict and
that our personality and behaviour as an adult is influenced greatly from
our internal struggles throughout childhood.
Explain the Id from Freud’s Structural Theory of Personality
The id, which operates entirely unconsciously, comprises the basic
drives of the human being and it wants immediate gratification.
E.g. If your id walked past a stranger eating your favourite dessert,
it would most likely just snatch the dessert for itself. It would not take into consideration that it is rude or that it belongs to someone else.
Explain the Superego from Freud’s Structural Theory of Personality
The superego is concerned with social rules, the cultural values and morals that are internalised by the individual and it acts as our conscience.
It develops as the child learns about right and wrong through what that is taught by the significant people in their lives.
E.g. Your superego will not take the dessert as it would know that it is morally and socially wrong. However, if both your id and superego were in conflict and the id was strong enough to override the superego’s concerns, you would still take the dessert but you
would feel guilt and shame on reflection.
Superego thought – “It’s not right to do that.”
Explain the Ego from Freud’s Structural Theory of Personality
The ego is the rational and pragmatic part of our personality. It is what Freud considered to be the “self”.
Its job is to balance the pleasure-seeking drives the id with the social morals of the superego in the practical context of reality.
E.g. Your ego would mediate the conflict between your id (“I want that dessert now!”) and superego (“It’s not right to take someone else’s dessert.) – Your ego will decide to go and buy your own dessert. This may frustrate the id as it would mean having to wait a
bit longer, however your ego decides to make that sacrifice to find equilibrium.
