Psychodynamic Approach - The Unconscious Mind And Infant Development (Freud)

Question 1

Three parts of the mind

Answer 1

Id
Ego
Superego

Question 2

‘Iceberg’ Analogy

Answer 2

The mind is like [^]
Tip = conscious feelings in the mind (what we are aware of)
Under water = preconscious/unconscious mind (a lot going on under the surface that we are not aware of)

Question 3

Id

Answer 3

Developed first
Pleasure principle 
All needs should be met immediately
Primitive
Found in unconscious mind
Makes us likely to commit crime if not under control

Question 4

Ego

Answer 4

Developed second
Reality principle
Personality that makes the decisions and faces consequences
Partly conscious and partly unconscious mind
Socially appropriate and realistic
Mediator between id and superego

Question 5

Superego

Answer 5

Concerned with what is acceptable
Conscious mind
Moral conscience
Controls impulses of id and persuades ego to act morally
Can make a person feel guilty if the ego gives into the id

Question 6

How do some parts of the mind become dominant over others?

Answer 6

Parental failure to guide their child through the developmental phases

Question 7

Overly dominant id

Answer 7

Mind is uncontrollable

Criminality

Question 8

Overly dominant superego

Answer 8

Perfectionist who can be judgemental if perfection is not achieved

Question 9

Overly dominant ego

Answer 9

Rational (this can lead to having a very fixed lifestyle)

Question 10

What does Freud say about infant development and transitions from principles?

Answer 10

Children need to transition from the pleasure principle to the reality principle where the ego dominates
A child needs a loving and stable home environment for this transition to happen successfully

Question 11

If a child has a loving and stable home environment what does Freud say is the outcome?

Answer 11

Result = balance between all 3 parts of the mind (a rational person who can balance out basic instinctual needs and morals/values)

Question 12

What would a lack of a loving and stable home environment result in?

Answer 12

The id remaining dominant, and leading to criminality

Question 13

Psychoanalysis

Answer 13

Therapeutic technique that tries to access the unconscious mind

Often through free association