Psychodynamic Theory Flashcards
provinces of the Mind according to Freud
Id
Ego
Superego
At the core of personality and completely unconscious
no contact with reality, yet it strives constantly
to reduce tension by satisfying basic desires
ts sole function is to seek pleasure
serves the pleasure principle
Id
A newborn infant is the personification of an id unencumbered by restrictions of ego and superego.
The infant seeks gratification of needs without regard for what is possible (that is, demands of the ego) or what is proper (that is, restraints of the superego).
the only region of the mind in contact with reality
governed by reality principle
becomes the decision-making or executive branch of personality
Ego
province of the mind
represents the moral and ideal aspects
of personality and is guided by the moralistic and idealistic principles
has two subsystems, the conscience and the ego-ideal
the conscience results from experiences with punishments for improper behavior and tells us what we should not do, whereas the ego-ideal develops from experiences with rewards for proper behavior and tells us what we should do
“watches closely over the ego, judging its actions
and intentions”
Superego
most basic defense mechanism
Whenever the ego is threatened by undesirable id impulses, it protects itself by forcing threatening feelings into the unconscious
Repression
Defense Mechanism
One of the ways in which a repressed impulse may become conscious is through
adopting a disguise that is directly opposite its original form.
Reaction Formation
Defense Mechanism
people can redirect their unacceptable urges onto a variety of people or objects so that the original impulse
is disguised or concealed
Displacement
Defense Mechanism
When the prospect of taking the next step becomes too anxiety provoking, the ego may resort to the strategy of remaining at the present, more comfortable psychological stage.
the permanent attachment of the libido onto an earlier,
more primitive stage of development
Fixation
Defense Mechanism
Once the libido has passed a developmental stage, it may, during times of stress and anxiety, revert back to that earlier stage
Regression
Defense Mechanism
When an internal impulse provokes too much anxiety, the ego may reduce that anxiety by attributing the unwanted impulse to an external object, usually another person
Projection
defense mechanism whereby people incorporate positive qualities of another person into their own ego.
For example, an adolescent may introject or adopt the mannerisms, values, or lifestyle of a movie star. Such an introjection gives the adolescent an inflated sense of self-worth and keeps feelings of inferiority to a minimum
Introjection
repression of the genital aim of Eros by substituting
a cultural or social aim.
The aim is expressed most obviously in creative
cultural accomplishments such as art, music, and literature, but more subtly, it is part of all human relationships and all social pursuits.
Sublimation
Psychic derivatives are converted into bodily symptoms
o “Just thinking of the exam I get butterflies in my stomach”
Somatization
Rational explanations used to justify unacceptable attitudes or behaviors
o “I did not pass the test because it was very difficult”
Rationalization
