Psychodynamic approach - Assumption 2: The unconscious mind Flashcards
How did Freud describe the mind
Like an iceberg
Describe how the mind is like an iceberg
- Conscious mind
- at the tip
- it’s where u have all the mental processes and sensations of which u are fully aware - Pre/subconscious
- just under water surface
- things u don’t instantly know but can access through association - Unconscious mind
- the massive part of the iceberg that’s hidden underwater
- it’s where traumatic events are hidden
Which part of the brain is logical
Conscious
Which part of the brain is ruled by pleasure seeking
Unconscious
Which part of the brain can’t be directly accessed but can be expressed through dreams
Unconscious
How can u access the unconscious mind
- Therapy
- dreams
Which part of the brain determines our behaviour
Unconscious
Which part of the brain contains unresolved conflicts
Unconscious
Give an example of the unconscious mind
Freudian slip
What is a Freudian slip
- unconscious mind
- you say something accidentally which reveals something that you are unaware of in your unconscious mind
What is the ego defence mechanisms
- ways the ego protects itself from unconscious thoughts and feelings that may cause stress if they because conscious
Why are they called ego DEFENCE mechanisms
- 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
What are the 5 different ego defence mechanisms
- repression
- denial
- displacement
- regression
- projection
What is repression
Pushing painful memories deep down into our unconscious mind so they are effectively forgotten
What is denial
Refusal to accept reality
What is displacement
The transfer of impulses from one person or object to another
What is regression
Going back to an earlier development stage
Projection
Undesirable thoughts are attributed to someone else
Identify the defence mechanism: Polly aged 5 just met her new baby brother and has started to wet the bed
Regression
Identify the defence mechanism: Daniel accuses his wife of having an affair
Projection
Identify the defence mechanism: William is annoyed at his mother for shouting at him and punches a hole in his bedroom wall
Displacement
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
Denial
Identify the defence mechanism: Elizabeth went through psychotherapy and uncovered memories of abuse in childhood
Repression
What is the example from psychology
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
