Models of the Mind

Question 1

How do people act?

Answer 1

They may act based on unconscious processing, but fill in reasons for their actions.

Question 2

Function of the brain

Answer 2

To create a template for experience based on past events.

Question 3

Id

Answer 3

Totally unconscious. Instinctual drives (sex, aggression, eating, power, physical contact). Pleasure principle (demands gratification and ignores reality)

Question 4

Ego

Answer 4

Conscious and unconscious. Moderates between the id at the superego and seeks compromises to pacify both. Controls impulses, tolerates emotions, anticipates consequences, makes decisions.

Question 5

Superego

Answer 5

Conscious and unconscious. Morals, conscience. Denies gratification.

Question 6

Id
Superego
Ego
Neural correlates

Answer 6

Amygdala
vmPFC
PFC

Question 7

Updated psychodynamics

Answer 7

Not about id, ego, superego, but really about unconscious processes directing behavior. Approach vs avoidance. The past is alive in the present.

Question 8

Transference

Answer 8

The transfer of past relationship patterns onto someone/something in the present.

Question 9

Countertransference

Answer 9

Doctors transference to patient. Patient’s affect/behavior activates associational networks in doctor.

Question 10

Concordant countertransference

Answer 10

Doctor experiences patient’s feelings

Question 11

Complementary countertransference

Answer 11

Doctor experiences feeling similar to what other people in the patient’s life have felt in response to the patient (role responsiveness)

Question 12

Poor use of defense mechanisms

Answer 12

Using a limited repertoire of defenses too rigidly. Also using immature defenses.

Question 13

Why do people use defense mechanisms?

Answer 13

To protect self image and awareness against distressing mental contents.

Question 14

Repression. Advantages and benefits

Answer 14

Putting away in the back of one’s mind. May forget to do something. Definitely makes patients less anxious, but their physiological measures of stress are still high.

Question 15

Altruism

Answer 15

Unselfishness. Doing good things for others to make one’s self feel better.

Question 16

Humor

Answer 16

Laughing it off. Unconsciously dealing with a distressing feeling/thought by joking. Maladaptive if includes resentment.

Question 17

Suppression

Answer 17

Consciously pushing a thought or feeling out of the awareness. Putting it on the back burner.

Question 18

Sublimation

Answer 18

Expressing a feeling in a constructive way. Hostile person entering the military, etc.

Question 19

Displacement

Answer 19

Taking something out on somebody.

Question 20

Rationalization

Answer 20

Making excuses.

Question 21

intellectualization

Answer 21

Focusing on abstract/logical thinking to minimize distressing feelings about and event. “Explain things away”

Question 22

Isolation of affect

Answer 22

Remaining aware of a situation, but losing connection with the feelings about the event.

Question 23

Identification with the aggressor

Answer 23

Reversal of power, throwing stuffed animals away when paren’t doesn’t come home. Abused becomes the abuser.

Question 24

Reaction formation

Answer 24

Behaviors and thoughts are opposite towards actual feelings.

Question 25

Somatization

Answer 25

Locating intolerable thoughts or feelings in the body.

Question 26

Immature defenses all..

Answer 26

Distort reality

Question 27

Splitting (immature)

Answer 27

idealization or devaluation. All black or all white. No shades of gray.