Psychoanalytical theory

Question 1

What are the two instincts referred to in Freudian theory.

Answer 1

Libido –> life instinct
- any need to satisfy, life sustaining, or pleasure
Thanatos –> death instinct
- urge to harm or destroy others or self

Question 2

In Freudian theory, what are the three forms of mind?

Answer 2

Conscious mind
- All thoughts and feelings we’re aware of
- Small fraction of brain
Preconscious mind
- Any piece of information that we are presently not thinking about but could easily be retrieved and made conscious
Unconscious mind
- Largest part of the mind

Question 3

What are the three forms of unconscious motivation?

Answer 3

the ID, ego, and superego

Question 4

Describe the ID. (6)

Answer 4

• pleasure principle, instant gratification.
• Biological component, present from birth
• Structure of personality
• Sources all drives and urges, cannot tolerate delays
• Does not respond to logic, reason or values
• Can satisfy unmet urges through the process of wish fulfilment. That means, if the external object or person used to satisfy id’s needs is unavailable, the id may create a mental image or fantasy of that object or person to satisfy its needs.

Question 5

Describe the ego. (5)

Answer 5

• psychological component
• Reality processing
• Balances demands between ID and superego with the realistic demands of the external world
• Develops within first 2 or 3 years of life
• Engages secondary process thinking (problem solving)

Question 6

Describe the superego. (8)

Answer 6

• social component
• Moral imperatives
• Contains the conscience
• Internalises the values, morals and ideals of society
• Develops around ages of 5-6
• Comprised of conscience and ego ideal
• -> Conscience results from experiences of punishment: what we should not do
• -> Ego ideal results from experiences of reward: what we should do

Question 7

What is the interaction between the ID, ego and superego?

Answer 7

• They are in constant conflict with each other due to their different goals to satisfy each.
• Id wants something now; ego determines if it’s feasible given the time and place; superego provides the moral compass

Question 8

How does anxiety manifest and how can it be avoided?

Answer 8

Manifests as physical symptoms. Can be voided by having a strong ego.

Question 9

What are the three types of anxiety?

Answer 9

• Realistic fear –> related to fear
• Neurotic anxiety –> internal conflict between ID and ego
• Moral anxiety –> conflict between ego and superego

Question 10

What is the role of defence mechanisms?

Answer 10

• protect ego, minimise anxiety and distress

Question 11

What is repression?

Answer 11

prevents unacceptable thoughts or feelings from reaching conscious awareness

Question 12

What is denial?

Answer 12

Refusing to acknowledge the existence of an external threat or traumatic event. Involves reappraisal of an anxiety-provoking situation to make it more acceptable/less daunting

Question 13

What is displacement?

Answer 13

An unconscious defence mechanism, where the mind substitutes a new object for goals felt in their original form to be dangerous or unacceptable
- Doesn’t satisfactorily reduce tension.

Question 14

What is rationalisation?

Answer 14

Reinterpreting behaviour to make it more rational and emotionally acceptable
- Provides rational explanations to justify threats

Question 15

What is reaction formation?

Answer 15

• direct opposite of what individual feels (sex pest against porn)

Question 16

What is projection?

Answer 16

Attributing a disturbing impulse to someone else

Question 17

What is sublimation?

Answer 17

Channelling unacceptable id instincts into creative and socially desirable accomplishments

Question 18

What is regression?

Answer 18

Retreating to an earlier psychosexual stage of development. Displaying of childish behaviour

Question 19

Describe the oral psychosexual stage of development. (7)

Answer 19

0 - 18 months

• Sources of pleasure/tension reduction at the mouth, lips and tongue
• Gratification via nourishment and pleasure through the mouth – biological
• Psychological component: internal conflict between excessive gratification and over dependence
• Fixation: trauma due to weaning or teething, resulting in fixation
  
  • -> Fixated adults still obtain pleasure by ‘taking in’
  • -> Overly dependent wanting people to look after them

Question 20

Describe the oral psychosexual stage of development. (4)

Answer 20

18 months - 3 yrs

• Satisfaction is gained through aggressive behaviour and excretion
• Revolves around child’s ability to achieve self control
• Children resistant to toilet training grow up to be adults characterised by sloppiness

Question 21

Describe the phallic psychosexual stage of development. (4)

Answer 21

3-4 yrs

• Awakening of sexual desire
• Overcoming oedipal complex and penis envy
• Unconscious wish for son to eliminate father and have mother all to himself

Question 22

Describe the latency psychosexual stage of development.

Answer 22

• 6 years to puberty

- Children suppress sex drive and direct psychic energy to school and friendships

Question 23

Describe the genital psychosexual stage of development.

Answer 23

• puberty onwards

- Directs sexual energy towards another person instead of towards themselves