Theories Flashcards
main assumptions of Freudian psychoanalysis
-Human behavior is motivated largely by unconscious processes.
-Early development has a profound effect on adult functioning.
-The goal of psychotherapy is to gain insight into the unconscious.
personality theory (Freud)
formed during childhood. Freud’s psychoanalytic system is a model of personality broken down into 3 components: id, ego, superego
id
follows the pleasure principle; based on instinct; satisfying biological needs; primary source of psychic energy; unconscious.
ego
follows the reality principle; in contact with the external world; controls and regulates the Id; protects from dangers of the environment. conscious
superego
conscious; represents moral goals of society; how to behave properly becomes internalized.
preconscious (can become conscious)
Freud’s developmental theory
emphasis on the sexual drives of the id; personality is determined due to experiences during the 5 predetermined psychosexual stages: oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital
oral stage
(first year of life): mistrust and rejection issues (depressive personalities per McWilliams); needs nurturance and gratification.
anal stage
(ages 1-3): personal power issues; needs independence and ability to express negative emotions.
phallic stage
(ages 3-6): unconscious desires for opposite-sex parent (later sexual attitudes) (i.e., Oedipal/Electra complex); needs assurance that they are competent/confident.
latency stage
(ages 6-12): a time of socialization; sexual interests are replaced by interest in school, friends, sports, etc.
genital stage
(ages 12-60): sexual energies are invested in life; sexual energy and engaging socially.
repression
an involuntary removal of threatening or painful thoughts/feelings from consciousness (forgotten).
reaction formation
used to keep threatening impulses from being expressed; form opposite attitude/behavior as protective barrier.
sublimation
channeling sexual/aggressive impulses into socially acceptable activities.
displacement
redirection of feelings on to a more acceptable or “safer” object.
denial
protect self from unpleasant realities by denying they exist.
rationalization
try to justify behavior as logical or rational to make acceptable.
projection
blaming others for one’s own problems or attributing one’s own unacceptable impulses to others.
regression
reverts to earlier stage of development.
introjection
internalization of the beliefs/values of other people into self.
psychopathology in psychodynamics
stems from unconscious, unresolved conflict that occurred during childhood.
goal in psychodynamic therapy
bringing the unconscious into conscious awareness.
techniques in psychodynamic therapy
-Primary technique: analysis
-Techniques: free association, dreams, resistances, transference, confrontation, clarification, interpretation, working through, countertransference.
trust vs mistrust (erikson)
(first year): basic physical and emotional needs are either met or not met; success in this stage leads to the virtue of hope (infancy).