MCAT Psychoanalytic Theory

Question 1

Freud’s psychoanalytical theory

Answer 1

Theory about how the unconscious influences our behavior and development.

• Id - impulsive, irrational
• Superego- idealistic, moral conscious
• Ego -rational , mediates between id and superego.

The id is completely in the unconscious while the ego and superego spans the conscious, preconscious, and unconscious.

Question 2

According to Freud how do we get rid of our state of tension when in conflict with social restraints?

Answer 2

Through defense mechanisms ( intentionally or unintentionally).

Question 3

Define the following defense mechanisms:

Answer 3

They’re used to ease the inner social tension we experience when our desires are pinned against social restraints.

• Denial- refusing to accept unacceptable behaviors.
• Projection- attributing unacceptable behaviors to someone else.
• Rationalization- seeking to justify unacceptable behaviors.
• Regression- behaving younger to avoid unacceptable behaviors.
• Displacement - taking out unacceptable behavior on something innocent.
• Sublimation- turning unacceptable behaviors into acceptable behaviors.
• reaction formation - performing behaviors opposite of the unacceptable behaviors.

Question 4

What was the psychoanalytical approach proposed by Carl Jung?

Answer 4

We have two unconscious, the personal and the collective. The collective unconscious has archetypes which are images that are passed down from ancestors.

The self is made of integration of the personal and collective unconscious.

Question 5

What is the psychoanalytical theory Alfred Alder?

Answer 5

Our feelings of inferiority effects our personality. This includes inferiority towards parents and siblings.

Question 6

Describe Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Answer 6

We’re motivated to achieve our needs in order of importance.

1st- Physiological
2nd- Safety
3rd- Love and belonging
4th- Esteem
5th- Self- actualization

Question 7

Humanistic perspective

Answer 7

Based on the idea that we’re motivated to achieve great pursuits ( self- actualization).

Question 8

Describe the idea of Carl Rogers

Answer 8

We have self- concepts which are ideas about ourselves.

We have a positive self- concept about ourselves when our ideal self matches reality. Having a positive self- concept leads to better health outcomes.

Question 9

According to Carl Rogers receiving unconditional positive regard increases our progress to self- actualization.

Answer 9

True. Unconditional positive regard ( receiving unconditional love regardless of behavior) v. Conditional positive regard ( love based on behavior) decreases our progress towards self- actualization.

Question 10

Incentive theory

Answer 10

Theory that states outside factors of the individual ( i.e community values or other aspects of culture) motivate the behavior of the individual.

Factors like drive theory, humanistic theory, and psychoanalytical theory focuses on the individual.