Psychoanalysis (Historical & Current) Flashcards
two basic human motivations for behavior
(1) seek pleasure
(2) avoid pain
freudian theory to explain sexual hysteria
oedpal / electra complex
hysteria
paralysis of the improper functioning of certain parts of the body, wild emotionalism, frenzy. freud believed it was a strictly female disorder
hystero
medical term meaning related to the womb, uterine system, and hysterectomies
interpretation of dreams
propsed dreams & mental health symptoms have similar structure. both arise as product of 2 conflicting forces of the mind: (1) unconscious childhood sexual wishes seeking discharge; and (2) the repressive activity of the rest of the mind
psychosis
conflict btwn the libidinal energies in the self in opposition to the libidinal energies of objects in the external world
dual instinct theory
2 types of drives or insticts: libido and aggression drived from broader principles of love (eros) and our instinct towards death and self-destruction (thanatos)
structural theory
conflict may operate on a conscious and/or unconscious level, and grouped various mental functions according to the role they played in the world
ego
orientates the individual toward the external world and mediates between it and the inner world
id
sum of the instinctual pressures of the sexual and aggressive instincts
superego
residue of early morality training and important childhood identifications and idealized aspirations
3 Parts of Individual Psychological Structure
id, ego, superego. formed by drive to seek pleasure and avoid pain
therapeutic goal of psychoanalysis
bring the unconscious into the conscious and to teach people to make rational choices rather than play out automatic responses
ego defense mechanisms
used by the ego to reduce internal tension. they are unconscious and automatic, constantly in use, not necessarily unhealthy, can help facilitate adjustment to reality. they become unhealthy when the distort reality
4 categories of ego defense mechanisms:
- prevent expression of an impulse.
- escape expression of an impulse.
- disguise expression of an impulse
- modify expression of an impulse
Impulse Prevention
Holds impulse in. REPRESSION. unconscious banning from memory forbidden feelings or impulses. not acknowledged. repression is a primary source of psychosomatic disorders.
Impulse Escape
Does not solve or deal w/ impulse.
Denial - consciously reject impulse by denying its existence - not admitting reality of thoughts or feelings
Fantasy - creates private/safe world to satisfy our need.
Regression: return to childhood behavior to deal w/ impulse.
Isolation - sticking head in sand. recognize danger but isolate self from it
Impulse Disguise
Pretty it up.
Displacement - project onto safer target (eg, yell at cat instead of boss.
Identification - take on others’ positive attributes and make them ours.
projection: put our undesirable attributes on others.
rationalization: substitution of “good” reasons for “bad” reasons for saying or doing something
Impulse Modification
Healthiest of the unhealthy defense mechanisms.
Sublimation: expressing impulse in socially acceptable way (e.g. sports instead of fist fight).
Compensation: make up for deficiency by being proficient in another area.
Reaction formation: express opposite of original impulse. (eg, become a vice crusader if tempted by kinky sex)
Stages of Instinctual Life
Freud was 1st to develop life stages. review concept carefully in text
the unconscious
contains the greatest amount of psychological energy, most of which is unknown to the individual
Id
personal power source. operates on “pleasure principle” based on primitive psychosexual drives inherited at birth. demands immediate and direct gratification. not in touch w/ reality. illogical. can simultaneously entertain conflicting ideas.
Id, ctd
biological deprivation: fuels the person
tension: nondirective libidinal energies
psychosexual drives: hunger, thirst, gasping for air, etc
dreaming and fantasy: primary process of trying to meet the need
Ego
rational thought: planning to meet demands of id w/in constraints of reality. mediates btwn id and reality-based boundaries, and the judging, restricting force of the superego
Superego
Internal representation of social values as interpreted by one’s parents & authority figures = morality. operates on principle of perfection (right or wrong). ego ideal (that which is morally good) conscience (that which is morally bad). does not converse with id
First part of personality to give way under stress (results in anarchy)
superego
What happens when ego gives up?
psychosis
What happens when Id gives up?
under extreme distress, the Id can give up and death occures, either via unintentional death through reckless behaviors and/or suicide.
Insight
occurs when unconscious material is brought to consciousness and viewed by one part of the ego while the more rational part watches. it is a real intellectual and emotional understanding about unresolved issues.