Psychoanalytic Theory

Question 1

Psychodynamic theory

Answer 1

The study of interrelationship of various parts of the mind, personality, or psyche as they relate to the mental, emotional, and motivation forces.

Question 2

Psychoanalytic theory says

Answer 2

Our childhood experiences are influenced by our behavior.

Question 3

Who is the founder of psychoanalytic theory

Answer 3

Sigmund Freud

Question 4

Freud’s view on personality

Answer 4

According to Freud, instincts are motivational drives that provide the basis of personality.

Question 5

Define instincts

Answer 5

Mental representations of internal stimuli that cause a person to take action.

Question 6

Two types of instincts

Answer 6

1. Life( eros): the need for survival
2. Death( thanatas): destructive force of human nature.

Question 7

Define libido

Answer 7

Natural energy source that fuels the mechanisms of the mind.

Question 8

Three levels of personality( topographic model)

Answer 8

1. Conscious: things we are aware of
2. Unconscious: things we are not aware of
3. Preconscious: things we can recall

Question 9

Iceberg

Answer 9

1. ID: develops after birth, makes up most of the mind( self-gratification), selfish
2. Ego: involves judgments, thoughts, perspectives, learning, and intelligence. Reality principle.
3. Super-ego: Do what is right

Question 10

2 subpart of the super-ego

Answer 10

1. Conscious: prevents the child from doing bad things.
2. Ego-ideal: motivates the child to do what is ideal.

Question 11

Denial

Answer 11

1. Arguing or avoiding the uncomfortable reality of a situation by saying they don’t exist.
   E.g. denying that the Dr diagnosis is incorrect and seeking a second option.

Question 12

Displacement

Answer 12

Transferring one’s emotional burden on another person
E.g. yelling at a spouse after an argument with the boss.

Question 13

Intellectualisation

Answer 13

Avoiding unacceptable feelings by focusing on intellectual aspects
E.g. focusing on the details of funeral arrangements instead of sadness and grief.

Question 14

Projection

Answer 14

Form of defense in which unwanted feelings are displaced onto someone else
E.g. a person who is having an affair may accuse their partner of infidelity.

Question 15

Rationalization

Answer 15

Supplying logical reason as opposed to the real reason
E.g. stating that you got fired because you refused to kiss the boss when the real reason was your poor performance.

Question 16

Reaction formation

Answer 16

Taking the opposite belief because the real belief causes anxiety.

Question 17

Regression

Answer 17

Returning to the previous stage of development
E.g. a child who is toilet trained starts wetting the bed.

Question 18

Repression

Answer 18

Subconsciously blocking impulses that are undesirable
E.g. someone who does not recall abuse in early childhood but has problems with connection and anxiety from unremembered trauma.

Question 19

Old stage( birth-18 months)

Answer 19

Sexual gratification is obtained through oral activities. When the child is not sufficiently nourished, they will start to fixate their pleasure seeking energies on particular stages
E.g. smoking, nail bitting or alcohol abuse.

Question 20

Anal stage( 18-36 months)

Answer 20

Sexual gratification is obtained through contraction and relaxation( fixation may lead to anal-expulsive or anal-retentive traits)
E.g. anal-expulsive: the child is disorganized
Anal-retentive: the child is highly controlled

Question 21

Phallic stage( 3-6 years)

Answer 21

Sexual energy is shifted to the phallic regions( penis for boys and clitoris for girls)
Oedipus complex: stage in which boys wishes to possesses their mothers sexually and sees their fathers as rivals
Electra complex: the girls long for their fathers and resents their mothers

Question 22

Latency stage( 6 years to puberty)

Answer 22

Sexual urges become unconscious

Question 23

Genital stage( puberty to adulthood)

Answer 23

Urge to have sexual intercourse with the opposite gender