Psychodynamic approach - Assumption 2: The unconscious mind

Question 1

How did Freud describe the mind

Answer 1

Like an iceberg

Question 2

Describe how the mind is like an iceberg

Answer 2

1. Conscious mind
   - at the tip
   - it’s where u have all the mental processes and sensations of which u are fully aware
2. Pre/subconscious
   - just under water surface
   - things u don’t instantly know but can access through association
3. Unconscious mind
   - the massive part of the iceberg that’s hidden underwater
   - it’s where traumatic events are hidden

Question 3

Which part of the brain is logical

Answer 3

Conscious

Question 4

Which part of the brain is ruled by pleasure seeking

Answer 4

Unconscious

Question 5

Which part of the brain can’t be directly accessed but can be expressed through dreams

Answer 5

Unconscious

Question 6

How can u access the unconscious mind

Answer 6

• Therapy
• dreams

Question 7

Which part of the brain determines our behaviour

Answer 7

Unconscious

Question 8

Which part of the brain contains unresolved conflicts

Answer 8

Unconscious

Question 9

Give an example of the unconscious mind

Answer 9

Freudian slip

Question 10

What is a Freudian slip

Answer 10

• unconscious mind
• you say something accidentally which reveals something that you are unaware of in your unconscious mind

Question 11

What is the ego defence mechanisms

Answer 11

• ways the ego protects itself from unconscious thoughts and feelings that may cause stress if they because conscious

Question 12

Why are they called ego DEFENCE mechanisms

Answer 12

• Defence against the stress caused by the conflicting demands of Id and superego
• they help in the short term, but if overused can lead to disturbed behaviour

Question 13

What are the 5 different ego defence mechanisms

Answer 13

• repression
• denial
• displacement
• regression
• projection

Question 14

What is repression

Answer 14

Pushing painful memories deep down into our unconscious mind so they are effectively forgotten

Question 15

What is denial

Answer 15

Refusal to accept reality

Question 16

What is displacement

Answer 16

The transfer of impulses from one person or object to another

Question 17

What is regression

Answer 17

Going back to an earlier development stage

Question 18

Projection

Answer 18

Undesirable thoughts are attributed to someone else

Question 19

Identify the defence mechanism: Polly aged 5 just met her new baby brother and has started to wet the bed

Answer 19

Regression

Question 20

Identify the defence mechanism: Daniel accuses his wife of having an affair

Answer 20

Projection

Question 21

Identify the defence mechanism: William is annoyed at his mother for shouting at him and punches a hole in his bedroom wall

Answer 21

Displacement

Question 22

Identify the defence mechanism: Sally claims she doesn’t have a problem with alcohol, she simply likes to enjoy a bottle of wine a day to help her unwind and can’t do so unless she has wine

Answer 22

Denial

Question 23

Identify the defence mechanism: Elizabeth went through psychotherapy and uncovered memories of abuse in childhood

Answer 23

Repression

Question 24

What is the example from psychology

Answer 24

Gothelf et al (1995)
- found that regression, denial, projection and repression were common to psychiatric patients suffering from severe adolescent anorexia
- therefore they relied on these defence mechanisms more than other adolescents
- providing evidence for the ‘disturbed behaviour’ cause by overusing ego defence mechanisms