PSYCHODYAMIC EXPLANATION-LITTLE HANS (PHOBIAS) Flashcards
What was the aim of Freud’s study?
- To demonstrate how unconcious conflicts could manifests as phobias.
- To provide evidence for his theory of the Oedipus Complex and psychosexual development
Conflicts that were especially related to early childhood experiences and repressed fears.
What method did Freud use?
- Longitudinal case study
How was the data collected in the study?
- His father (supporter of Freud) corresponded with Freud about Hans’ thoughts/dreams/fears.
(Hans only met twice with Freud during the study)
Describe the sample?
- Little Hans
- Austrian
- 5 year old boy
What was Hans ‘diagnosed’ with?
- Phobia: Horses (with black harnasses)
- Fear: Castration anxiety
Can you summarise the case details?
- Early interest
- Oedipus complex
- Witnessing upsetting event
- Horse phobia development
- 2 fantasies
- Freud’s explanation
STAGE 1: Early interest- case details
- At age 3, Hans became preoccupied with his ps and frequently touched it.
- His mother threatened him that if he continued, she would call the dr to have it cut off.
- This triggered castration anxiety.
STAGE 2: OEDIPUS COMPLEX (case details
- Hans developed a strong attachment to his mother and sought her attention.
- He began to resent his father, who didn’t let him get into his parents bed during mornings (to sit wth his mother)
- He began to see his father as a rival for his mother’s love.
STAGE 3: Witnessing upsetting incident- case details
- Hans witnessed a horse collapse and struggle in the street, this traumatized him and soon after he developed a phobia of horses.
STAGE 4: Phobia development- case details
- Hans was particularly scared of horses with black harnesses around their mouths. He feared they would bite him and fall on him.
What were the 2 fantasies that Hans had?
- A plumber had removed his p, replacing it with a larger one,
- He had several children with his mother and his dather was his grandfather.
What was Freud’s explanation of Little Han’s phobia and anxiety?
- PHOBIA- Linked phobia with his Oedipus complex. Suggested he unconciously feared his father, displacing this fear onto horses.
- (Hans was particularly scared of horses with black harnesses resembling his father’s mustache and glasses.)
- ANXIETY: Linked his fear of being bitten by horse to castration anxiety (triggered by his mother’s warning)
Phobia- Phobia of horses- Fear of father
Anxiety- Bit by a horse- Castration anxiety
What was the results of the study?
- Hans gradually overcame his fear (by accepting his father’s role and moving past his desire for his mother)
Evidence that resolving the Oedipus complex naturally leads to psychological development
What did Freud conclude?
- The phobia was a result of repressed unconcious conflicts related to his father and developing sexuality.
Explain 1 strength of Freud’s case study?
- Rich qualitative data.
- Provided indepth insight into Hans thoughts, behavious, and emotions.
- Followed Hans over time documenting his dreams, fantasies and fears.
- Providing a holistic understanding of his phobia (rather than just a snapshot in time)
Explain oen weakness of Freud’s case study?
- Lack scientific rigor (not a controlled, objective, replicable investigation)
- Freud’s interpretations were highly subjective and could’ve been influenced by research biases (e.g he ignored alternate explanations such as classical conditioning) His main correpodence was with Han’s father and not Hans
- His theory is based on the unconcious mind, which is unfalsifiable, or be measured or tested emperically.
