Structural Theory Flashcards
Describe the Id (5)
Driven by the pleasure principle and avoids pain
Strives for immediate gratification of all desires, wants, and needs - if needs aren’t satisfied - result is anxiety or tension
Present from birth
Includes instinctive and primitive behaviors
Exists in the unconscious
What are the 4 qualities of an instinct
source
aim
object
impetus
What are the 2 types of instincts?
Life instinct: procreation, social cooperation, and survival
Death instinct: aggression, risky behavior, reliving trauma
Describe Freud’s dual-instinct theory
There are 2 instincts: Eros (instinct for life) and Thanatos (instinct for death)
Eros includes the instincts for sex, nurturance, and affiliation
Thanatos includes the instincts for aggression towards self and aggression towards others
How is aggression towards self manifested?
through self criticism and depression
How is aggression towards others reflected?
Anger and prejudice
What are 3 socially acceptable ways of satisfying libido?
Steady relationships and marriage
Art
Cinema and TV
What are limitations of the id? (4)
No logic or reason
Not moral
No sense of time and space
No concept of danger or consequences
How does the Id achieve satisfaction? (2)
Reflex Action
Primary Process (Catechting)
What is a reflex action?
a spontaneous, uninhibited response - acting without thinking
includes acting out and the withdrawal reflex
How do we “act out”? (4)
losing control
getting sexually aroused
kicking
making a fist
What is catcheting/primary processing?
the process of choosing an object in the environment and investing emotional energy into that object
the object could be a real object, a person, or a fantasy as the Id doesn’t discriminate between real and fantasy
Describe positive and negative cathexis
Positive: investing emotional energy in a way that’s pleasurable/desirable
e.g., falling in love
Negative: investing emotional energy into something that is threatening, anxiety inducing, and un-pleasurable
e.g., developing a fear of snakes
Explain the 5 components of catcheting
- Investing of psychic energy (libido)
- Positive or negative cathexis
- Influence on behavior
- Unconscious motivations
- Conflict and resolution
How does libido influence our behavior? (both positive or negative)
Positively: a person in love may engage in actions to be closer to their loved one
Negatively: a person’s behaviors are aimed at avoiding or defending against perceived threats
How does conflict and resolution play a role in cathexis?
emotions and desires can sometimes lead to internal conflicts when there are competing cathexes
e.g., a person may desire a fulfilling career - positive cathexis BUT also a fear of failure - negative cathexis
What are the key features of the Id and the primary process? (5)
- Unconscious and primitive
- Pleasure principle
- Primary process thinking
- Symbolic and illogical
- Lack of time and reality constraints
What is primary process thinking?
the id’s way of thinking and problem solving
characterized by irrationality, wish fulfillment, and the ability to temporarily resolve conflicts
Why is the id in constant tension with the ego and superego? (2)
the ego tries to mediate between the id’s impulsive desires and constraints of reality
the superego represents moral and societal values, imposing restrictions on the id’s behavior
Describe the Ego (7)
Led by the reality principle and engages in reality testing
Strives to satisfy the id’s desires in realistic and socially appropriate ways
Applies defense mechanisms to reduce anxiety
Protects the self from being punished by a sense of guilt brought about the superego
Involves secondary process thinking
Mediates between the id and superego
Develops at around age 2
Describe the difference between a strong ego and a weak ego (3)
A weak ego is usually found in adolescents while a strong ego is usually found in mature adults
e.g., a 16 year old’s ego focuses on hiding “wrong” behavior rather than not doing it
e.g., a 40 year old’s ego focuses on not doing the “wrong” behavior
Describe the secondary process (4)
- Drive leads to tension (same as the primary process)
- Cathexis occurs (same as the primary process)
- Reality testing weakens the cathexis bond through identification
- Identification leads to gratification, postponement, or partial gratification
What is identification? (2)
a complex defense mechanism used considerably more by adolescents
drive -> wish fulfilment -> identification
Give an example of identification (5)
Drive: you feel hungry during a lecture
Wish fulfillment: you imagine something delicious
Identification: ego intervenes and you think about where you can buy the food
Satisfying the id: you buy the food after the lecture
Satisfying the ego: id passes energy to ego
Describe the superego (4)
Led by the morality principle
Provides guidelines for making judgements - what is right and wrong
Forms around age 4-7, first through identification with a parent, later by our own rules and ideals
Uses guilt and punishment to gain power and control over the personality
What are the 3 functions of the superego?
Inhibiting the id
Forces the ego to act morally not rationally
Forces the person towards absolute perfection
What are the 2 aspects of the superego?
Internal policeman - prohibitions
Ego ideal - parental ideals
What are characteristics of a harsh superego? (6)
Guilt standing up to parents
Deep sense of duty towards parents - even if abusive
Inability to say no
Excessive anxiety, depression or heart palpitations
Workaholics
False sense of self
What results from a very weak superego?
Psychopathic personality and no sense of remorse
What creates a weak ego and what is the result?
Parenting which cuts down and erodes faith in self
The person becomes gullible and therefore open to abuse
What creates a strong id?
Very lax and undisciplined parenting
What creates a strong superego and what is the result?
Very strict parenting - may lead to parentified children
e.g., worrying about their parents wellbeing, relationship, etc. instead of worrying about things teens usually do
Give an example of how the superego uses guilt and punishment on the self
abuse survivors feel guilty as though it was their fault so they punish themselves through self harm (e.g., cutting, reckless living, drugs, or promiscuity)
In what ways is the superego NOT negative? (4)
When mediated by the ego:
Helps you to study and achieve
Helps you to have meaningful, lasting relationships
Helps you be a good parent
Helps you be a contributing member of society
Why is having a healthy ego important for psychological health? (3)
Needs to be strong enough to get energy from the id
Has to exert energy successfully against the excesses of the superego
Has to be strong enough to engage in social life and not be afraid to try new and more challenging things
