Psychology Flashcards
What is psychoanalytic theory?
A psychological approach developed by Sigmund Freud that focuses on the role of the unconscious mind, early childhood experiences, and internal conflicts in shaping behavior.
Who is the founder of psychoanalytic theory?
Sigmund Freud.
What is the main focus of psychoanalytic theory?
Understanding how unconscious thoughts, desires, and childhood experiences influence human behavior.
What are the three parts of the mind in Freud’s theory?
The id, ego, and superego.
What is the id?
The part of the mind that operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification of basic instincts like hunger, sex, and aggression.
What is the ego?
The rational part of the mind that balances the id’s desires and the superego’s moral constraints, operating on the reality principle.
What is the superego?
The part of the mind that represents internalized morals and societal rules, pushing for ethical behavior.
How do the id, ego, and superego interact?
The id demands instant gratification, the superego enforces moral values, and the ego mediates between them to make realistic decisions.
What happens when the id is too dominant?
A person may become impulsive, reckless, and selfish, engaging in destructive behavior without considering consequences.
What happens when the superego is too dominant?
A person may become overly self-critical, rigid, and guilt-ridden, struggling with unrealistic moral standards.
What is Freud’s Iceberg Model?
A model that compares the mind to an iceberg: the conscious mind is above the surface, while the much larger unconscious mind remains hidden below, influencing behavior.
What is the unconscious mind?
The part of the mind containing repressed memories, desires, and unresolved conflicts that influence thoughts and behaviors.
What is repression?
A defense mechanism where distressing thoughts and memories are pushed into the unconscious to avoid anxiety.
What are defense mechanisms?
Psychological strategies used by the ego to protect a person from anxiety and internal conflict (e.g., repression, denial, displacement).
What is dream analysis?
A technique used in psychoanalysis to interpret dreams as a way of accessing the unconscious mind.
What is free association?
A psychoanalytic technique where a person says whatever comes to mind without censorship, revealing unconscious thoughts and feelings.
Why do psychoanalysts focus on early childhood experiences?
Freud believed that unresolved conflicts from childhood significantly shape adult personality and behavior.
What are psychosexual stages?
Freud’s theory that personality develops through five stages: oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital, each involving a focus on different areas of pleasure and conflict.
What is the Oedipus complex?
A Freudian theory suggesting that a young boy develops unconscious desires for his mother and rivalry with his father.
What are some criticisms of psychoanalytic theory?
Lack of scientific evidence, reliance on subjective interpretations, and overemphasis on childhood and unconscious drives.
How has psychoanalytic theory influenced modern psychology?
It introduced talk therapy, defense mechanisms, and the role of the unconscious, influencing psychotherapy and personality research.
