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Psychoanalytic approaches Flashcards

1
Q

What does the intrapsychic domain of personality focus on?

A

The internal mental processes that influence thoughts, feelings, and behavior.

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2
Q

Who pioneered the intrapsychic domain?

A

Sigmund Freud.

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3
Q

What is psychoanalysis according to Freud?

A

Both a theory of personality and a method for helping people change by uncovering unconscious conflicts.

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4
Q

What is the unconscious mind according to Freud?

A

A part of the mind that holds information outside of conscious awareness and operates independently with its own motives.

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5
Q

What is psychic determinism?

A

The idea that nothing happens by chance; every behavior or slip has psychological meaning.

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6
Q

What are Freud’s three parts of the mind?

A

Id, ego, and superego.

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7
Q

What principle does the id operate on?

A

The pleasure principle — seeking immediate gratification.

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8
Q

What principle does the ego operate on?

A

The reality principle — satisfying urges within the constraints of reality.

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9
Q

What is the function of the superego?

A

To enforce societal values and morals; the source of guilt and pride.

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10
Q

What is primary process thinking?

A

Primitive, illogical, fantasy-based thinking associated with the id.

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11
Q

What is wish fulfillment?

A

The creation of mental images to satisfy id urges temporarily.

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12
Q

What is secondary process thinking?

A

Logical, problem-solving thinking used by the ego.

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13
Q

How does the superego differ from the ego?

A

The superego strives for perfection and is not bound by reality, whereas the ego balances desires with reality.

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14
Q

What metaphor is often used to describe the structure of the mind?

A

An iceberg — with the conscious above water, preconscious just below, and unconscious deep below the surface.

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15
Q

What is ego depletion?

A

The idea that self-control draws on limited psychic energy that can be exhausted temporarily.

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16
Q

What phenomenon shows that unconscious processing can guide behavior without conscious awareness?

A

Blindsight.

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17
Q

What is deliberation without awareness?

A

The unconscious mind continuing to work on complex problems outside of conscious thought.

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18
Q

What is the life instinct (libido) according to Freud?

A

The instinct for survival, reproduction, and pleasure.

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19
Q

What is the death instinct (thanatos) according to Freud?

A

The instinct towards aggression, destruction, and self-harm.

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20
Q

How are symptoms like depression or phobias explained in psychoanalysis?

A

As manifestations of unconscious conflicts or repressed memories.

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21
Q

What case study greatly influenced Freud’s thinking about the unconscious and repressed trauma?

A

The case of Anna O.

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22
Q

What is the main emotional tool the superego uses to enforce moral behavior?

A

Guilt.

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23
Q

What happens when the id, ego, and superego are in conflict?

A

Anxiety occurs.

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24
Q

According to Freud, what is needed for a well-balanced mind?

A

A strong ego that can manage the demands of both the id and superego.

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25
How can people strengthen their self-control over time?
Like a muscle, through practice and positive emotional states.
26
What are defense mechanisms?
Efforts by the ego to defend against anxiety and protect the person from unpleasant emotions.
27
What are Freud’s three types of anxiety?
Objective anxiety (fear of real threats), neurotic anxiety (conflict between id and ego), moral anxiety (conflict between ego and superego).
28
What is objective anxiety?
Fear in response to a real external threat.
29
What is neurotic anxiety?
Anxiety from a conflict between the id’s desires and the ego’s control.
30
What is moral anxiety?
Anxiety from a conflict between the ego and the moral standards of the superego.
31
What additional type of anxiety did Fenichel add?
Self-esteem anxiety — defending against threats to one's positive self-view.
32
What are the two main functions of defense mechanisms?
(1) Protect the ego and (2) minimize anxiety and distress.
33
What is repression?
Preventing unacceptable thoughts or memories from reaching conscious awareness.
34
How is repression different from denial?
Repression pushes thoughts out of consciousness; denial refuses to acknowledge reality.
35
What is denial?
Refusing to accept reality or facts that provoke anxiety.
36
What is displacement?
Redirecting an unacceptable impulse to a safer, less threatening target.
37
What is rationalization?
Creating acceptable explanations for outcomes that are actually caused by unacceptable reasons.
38
What is reaction formation?
Behaving in a way that is opposite to an unacceptable urge.
39
What is projection?
Attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or motives onto others.
40
What is the false consensus effect?
Assuming that others share one's undesirable traits or behaviors.
41
What is sublimation?
Channeling unacceptable urges into socially acceptable or productive activities.
42
Why is sublimation considered the most adaptive defense mechanism?
It allows limited expression of id impulses in a socially productive way.
43
When are defense mechanisms considered maladaptive?
When they interfere with work productivity or close relationships.
44
What is Freud’s psychosexual theory?
A theory of personality development based on resolving conflicts at different stages linked to sexual gratification.
45
What happens if a conflict is unresolved at a psychosexual stage?
Fixation — the person remains stuck at that stage.
46
What is the oral stage?
(Birth to 18 months) Pleasure focuses on the mouth (e.g., sucking, biting).
47
What is oral fixation linked to?
Dependency, overeating, smoking, or being verbally hostile.
48
What is the anal stage?
(18 months–3 years) Pleasure focuses on bowel control and toilet training.
49
What personality traits are linked to anal fixation?
Excessive orderliness, stubbornness, or messiness.
50
What is the phallic stage?
(3–5 years) Discovery of genitals and the Oedipus/Electra complex.
51
What is the Oedipus complex?
A boy’s unconscious desire for his mother and rivalry with his father.
52
What is penis envy?
A girl’s desire for a penis and resentment toward her mother.
53
What is the latency stage?
(6–puberty) A period of psychological rest with little sexual development.
54
What is the genital stage?
(Puberty–adulthood) Focus on mature sexual relationships and productivity.
55
What is the goal of psychoanalysis?
To make the unconscious conscious and help resolve internal conflicts.
56
What is free association?
Saying whatever comes to mind without censorship to uncover unconscious material.
57
What is dream analysis?
Interpreting dreams to uncover latent (hidden) unconscious content.
58
What is manifest content in a dream?
The literal storyline or imagery in the dream.
59
What is latent content in a dream?
The hidden, unconscious meaning behind the dream.
60
What are projective techniques?
Using ambiguous stimuli like inkblots to reveal unconscious thoughts.
61
What is transference?
The patient projects feelings about important people onto the therapist.
62
What is resistance in therapy?
Unconscious attempts to block the process of uncovering repressed material.
63
What is insight in psychoanalysis?
An intense emotional realization of the unconscious roots of problems.
64
What are strengths of Freud’s theory?
Influence on psychotherapy, popular culture, research on the unconscious, and developmental psychology.
65
What are criticisms of Freud’s theory?
Lack of scientific testing, overemphasis on sexuality, historical/cultural bias, poor generalization (sample bias).
66
What is Freud’s view of human nature?
Humans are driven by violent, sexual, self-centered impulses that must be controlled by society.
67
What feminist criticism is made about Freud’s theory?
It portrays women as morally inferior and is biased by the gender roles of his time.

Personality Psychology (12 decks)

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