Unit 2| part 1 | The intraphysic domain | Psychoanalytic approaches to personality Flashcards
What is psychic energy in psychoanalytic theory?
Psychic energy is the mental energy that drives all human thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It remains constant throughout life but can be redirected.
How does the law of conservation of energy apply to psychic energy?
Just like physical energy, psychic energy is neither created nor destroyed; it stays constant but can change forms, influencing different aspects of behavior.
What are the two basic human instincts in Freud’s theory?
- Eros (Life Instinct) – The drive for survival, pleasure, and reproduction.
- Thanatos (Death Instinct) – The drive toward destruction, aggression, and self-harm.
What is Eros, and what does it include?
Eros, or the life instinct, is the drive to survive and seek pleasure. It includes love, relationships, creativity, reproduction, and personal growth.
What is Thanatos, and what does it include?
Thanatos, or the death instinct, is the drive toward destruction. It includes aggression, self-sabotage, risky behaviors, and violence.
How did Darwin’s theory of evolution influence Freud?
Freud applied Darwin’s ideas by linking human instincts to survival and reproduction:
- Self-preservation instincts help individuals survive.
- Sexual instincts (libido) drive reproduction.
What is unconscious motivation?
Unconscious motivation means that people often do things without knowing the true reasons behind their actions. Hidden thoughts and desires influence behavior.
What are the three levels of consciousness in Freud’s theory?
- Conscious – Thoughts and feelings you are currently aware of.
- Preconscious – Memories and information you can recall when needed.
- Unconscious – Hidden thoughts, traumas, and desires that influence behavior.
What is the conscious mind?
The conscious mind includes all thoughts, feelings, and perceptions you are currently aware of.
What is the preconscious mind?
The preconscious mind holds memories and information that are not currently in focus but can be easily recalled.
What is the unconscious mind?
The unconscious mind contains repressed thoughts, desires, and past experiences that are hidden but still influence behavior.
Why do we repress certain thoughts?
The mind represses painful or unacceptable thoughts to protect us from emotional distress.
What is an example of repression?
A person who was bitten by a dog as a child may develop a fear of dogs but not remember the incident.
How can the unconscious mind affect daily life?
The unconscious mind influences dreams, slip-ups in speech (Freudian slips), fears, relationships, and hidden motivations.
What is a Freudian slip?
A Freudian slip is an accidental word or phrase that reveals an unconscious thought or desire.
How do dreams relate to the unconscious?
Dreams are symbolic expressions of unconscious thoughts and desires.
How can past traumas influence present behavior?
Unresolved traumas can shape fears, phobias, emotional reactions, and relationship patterns without a person being fully aware of it.
How does the unconscious mind affect relationships?
Unconscious fears and past experiences can influence the way people form relationships, sometimes leading to repeated patterns of unhealthy attachments.
What is psychic determinism?
Psychic determinism is the idea that nothing happens by chance—every thought, feeling, and action is influenced by the conscious, preconscious, or unconscious mind.
What does psychic determinism say about human behavior?
Everything we do, think, feel, or say is an expression of our mind, whether we are aware of it or not.
What are some examples of Freudian slips?
Calling someone by the wrong name.
Forgetting an important date.
Breaking something that belongs to someone else.
According to Freud, what is the root cause of mental problems?
Mental problems are caused by unconscious motivation—hidden conflicts, traumas, and repressed material that affect thoughts and behavior.
How do repressed thoughts or emotions appear in daily life?
Repressed material can manifest as symptoms, such as anxiety, phobias, compulsions, or physical issues without a medical cause.
What is the goal of psychoanalytic therapy?
The goal of therapy is to bring unconscious material into awareness, helping individuals understand their hidden motivations and resolve inner conflicts.
How does psychoanalytic therapy help a person?
It helps people uncover the root causes of their struggles, gain self-awareness, and reduce psychological distress.
What techniques are used in psychoanalytic therapy?
- Free association – Speaking freely to reveal unconscious thoughts.
- Dream analysis – Interpreting dreams to uncover hidden desires.
- Transference – Examining emotions transferred onto the therapist.
What does psychoanalytic personality theory explain?
It explains how people manage their instincts (sexual and aggressive), which often conflict with reality or societal norms.
What are the three structures of personality in Freud’s theory?
Id – The primitive, pleasure-seeking part of the mind.
Ego – The rational part that balances the id with reality.
Superego – The moral conscience that enforces societal rules.
What is the id?
The id is the reservoir of psychic energy and the most primitive part of the mind that seeks immediate pleasure and gratification.
How does the id function?
It operates on the pleasure principle, meaning it seeks instant gratification without considering reality or consequences.
What are examples of id-driven behavior?
Acting on impulse without thinking.
Eating junk food even when full.
A child throwing a tantrum when they don’t get what they want.
What is the ego?
The ego is the rational part of the mind that balances the id’s desires with reality and helps a person function in society.
How does the ego function?
It operates on the reality principle, meaning it finds realistic and acceptable ways to satisfy desires.
What is an example of ego-driven behavior?
A person waiting in line instead of cutting ahead.
Choosing a healthy meal instead of only eating sweets.
Saving money instead of spending it all at once.
What is the secondary thinking process?
It refers to the problem-solving strategies used by the ego to satisfy desires in a realistic and socially acceptable way.
Why is the ego called the “executive” of personality?
Because it mediates between the id, reality, and superego, making decisions that help a person function effectively.
What is the superego?
The superego is the part of the mind that internalizes societal values, morals, and ideals, guiding a person’s sense of right and wrong.
How does the superego develop?
It develops through socialization from parents, teachers, religious teachings, and cultural influences.
What emotions does the superego influence?
It makes a person feel guilt or shame when doing something wrong and pride when doing something right.
Does the superego follow reality?
No, the superego follows its own moral standards and ideals of perfection, regardless of reality.
What is an example of the superego in action?
- Feeling guilty for lying, even if no one finds out.
- Donating money to charity because it feels like the right thing to do.
- Avoiding cheating on a test, even if the opportunity is there.
How do the id, ego, and superego interact?
The id seeks immediate pleasure.
The superego enforces morals and guilt.
The ego balances both, finding a realistic and acceptable solution.
What happens when the id is too strong?
A person may be impulsive, reckless, or selfish, prioritizing pleasure over consequences.
What happens when the superego is too strong?
A person may be overly critical, anxious, or guilt-ridden, constantly striving for perfection.
What happens when the ego is strong and balanced?
A person can manage anxiety, make rational choices, and balance desires with moral values effectively.
Example: A woman sees €20 fall from someone’s pocket. How do the id, ego, and superego react?
Id: “Take the money! No one will notice.”
Superego: “That’s stealing! You must return it.”
Ego: “You should return it, but if they walk away, maybe donate it instead.”
What is anxiety according to Freud?
Anxiety is an unpleasant emotional state that arises when a person feels threatened or conflicted.
Why do people use defense mechanisms?
Defense mechanisms help reduce anxiety by distorting reality or blocking distressing thoughts.
What are the three types of anxiety in Freud’s theory?
Objective anxiety – Fear of real external danger.
Neurotic anxiety – Conflict between the id and ego.
Moral anxiety – Conflict between the superego and ego.
What is objective anxiety?
Objective anxiety occurs when a person faces a real external threat.
What is an example of objective anxiety?
Feeling fear when walking alone in a dark alley and seeing a suspicious person.
What is neurotic anxiety?
Neurotic anxiety occurs when the id’s desires threaten to overpower the ego.
What is an example of neurotic anxiety?
Feeling anxious about losing self-control, such as wanting to scream in class but holding back.
What is moral anxiety?
Moral anxiety occurs when the superego punishes the ego for not meeting moral standards.
What is an example of moral anxiety?
Feeling intense guilt for eating a dessert while on a strict diet, or experiencing anorexia due to perfectionist moral standards.
What are defense mechanisms?
Defense mechanisms are unconscious psychological strategies used to reduce anxiety and protect the ego from distressing thoughts or feelings.
Why does the mind use defense mechanisms?
To protect the ego and minimize anxiety and discomfort caused by internal conflicts or painful experiences.
What is repression?
Repression is the process of unconsciously blocking unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or desires from reaching conscious awareness.
How does repression work?
The ego pushes distressing experiences out of memory, preventing a person from recalling painful or threatening events.
What is an example of repression?
- A person who experienced childhood trauma but has no memory of it.
- Forgetting a painful breakup but feeling anxious in new relationships.
What did Freud observe about memory and repression?
Freud noticed that people tend to remember pleasant events better than unpleasant ones, suggesting that painful memories may be repressed.
What happens to repressed memories?
Repressed memories do not disappear—they may influence behavior, cause anxiety, or resurface in dreams, slips of the tongue, or therapy.
How does repression differ from suppression?
Repression is unconscious—the person is unaware they have pushed the memory away.
Suppression is conscious—the person intentionally avoids thinking about something painful.
What are the two main functions of defense mechanisms?
Protecting the ego from distress.
Minimizing anxiety and discomfort caused by internal conflicts.
What is denial?
Denial is refusing to accept reality or insisting that something is not true, even when faced with evidence.
What is an example of denial?
A man refusing to believe his wife has left him.
A person diagnosed with a serious illness insisting they are perfectly healthy.
What is displacement?
Displacement is redirecting an unacceptable impulse from its original source to a less threatening target.
What is an example of displacement?
A person angry at their boss but yelling at their spouse instead.
A child bullied at school taking out their frustration on a younger sibling.
How is displacement different from deliberate redirection?
Displacement is unconscious, while deliberate redirection is a conscious choice to shift emotions in a productive way.
What is rationalization?
Rationalization is creating logical but false explanations to justify an event or action that might otherwise cause anxiety.
What is an example of rationalization?
A student failing an assignment and saying, “The professor is unfair,” instead of admitting they didn’t study.
A person rejected from a job saying, “I didn’t want it anyway.”
What is reaction formation?
Reaction formation is when a person acts in the opposite way of their true feelings or desires to suppress unacceptable impulses.
What is an example of reaction formation?
A person who dislikes their boss but acts overly kind and respectful toward them.
Someone with suppressed attraction toward the same sex publicly criticizing LGBTQ+ people.
What is projection?
Projection is attributing one’s own undesirable thoughts, feelings, or traits to others to avoid acknowledging them in oneself.
What is an example of projection?
A thief accusing others of dishonesty.
A person with repressed anger saying, “Everyone is so aggressive lately.”
Someone struggling with their sexuality criticizing others for being “immoral.”
What is sublimation?
Sublimation is redirecting unacceptable impulses (sexual or aggressive) into socially acceptable activities.
Why is sublimation considered the most adaptive defense mechanism?
Because it allows people to express their instincts in a positive, productive way instead of repressing them.
What is an example of sublimation?
Exercising when feeling angry.
Painting or writing to express deep emotions.
Channeling aggression into competitive sports instead of violence.
Why do we use defense mechanisms in everyday life?
Defense mechanisms help us cope with psychological bumps and bruises, such as stress, failure, or emotional pain.
What are some examples of everyday situations where defense mechanisms are used?
Losing a job.
Failing an exam.
Being caught in an unflattering photo posted online.
How can defense mechanisms be helpful?
They can help us manage emotions and cope with difficult situations, reducing immediate anxiety or distress.
When can defense mechanisms be harmful?
Defense mechanisms become harmful when they:
Inhibit the ability to be productive.
Limit the ability to maintain social relationships.
How do defense mechanisms affect productivity?
If overused, defense mechanisms can prevent us from facing reality, making it hard to solve problems, work effectively, or take constructive action.
How do defense mechanisms affect social relationships?
They can create barriers in relationships, as people may become emotionally distant, avoid conflict, or fail to communicate openly.
What are the distinctive indicators of mature adulthood in relation to defense mechanisms?
A mature adult is able to recognize when defense mechanisms are being used and can manage them in a healthy way without letting them interfere with productivity or relationships
What do Freud’s psychosexual stages of development explain?
They explain how conflict resolution at each stage of childhood leads to different aspects of personality. If a conflict is unresolved, a person may become fixated at that stage.
What is fixation in the context of Freud’s psychosexual stages?
Fixation occurs when a person gets “stuck” at a certain stage due to unresolved conflict, affecting their personality and behavior later in life.
What is the oral stage of psychosexual development?
The oral stage occurs from birth to 18 months, where the lips, mouth, and tongue are the primary sources of pleasure.
What is the main conflict during the oral stage?
The main conflict is breast or bottle withdrawal, where the child must learn to adapt to weaning.
What are some signs of fixation at the oral stage?
Nail biting.
Excessive eating or smoking.
Hostile, belligerent personalities—as they continue to get psychological pleasure from “biting” behaviors.
What is the anal stage of psychosexual development?
The anal stage occurs from 18 months to 3 years, with the anal sphincter being the primary source of pleasure, especially in relation to expelling and retaining feces.
What is the main conflict during the anal stage?
The main conflict is learning to control bowel movements during potty training, leading to a balance between retaining and expelling.
What are signs of fixation at the anal stage?
Excessive self-control or compulsiveness.
Becoming too clean, rigid, or orderly.
Development of a rigid personality or overemphasis on discipline.
What is the latency stage of psychosexual development?
The latency stage occurs from 6 years to puberty, where there is no specific sexual conflict. It is a period of rest and focuses on learning skills and preparing for adulthood.
What are the main developmental focuses during the latency stage?
Learning new skills.
Making decisions.
Building relationships with peers and adults.
Socializing and preparing for adult roles.
What is the genital stage of psychosexual development?
The genital stage occurs from puberty onward, where sexual awakening happens, and libido is focused on the genitals—but not for self-manipulation. It is about mature sexual relationships.
What is the main focus during the genital stage?
The main focus is on mature sexual relationships and directed sexual desire toward others after successfully resolving earlier conflicts.
What did Freud believe about the completion of personality development?
Freud believed that personality development was completed by age 5 or 6, based on how conflicts were resolved in early stages.
What is the phallic stage of psychosexual development?
he phallic stage occurs from 3 to 5 years old, where the libido is focused on the genitals, and sexual feelings become directed outward.
What is the main conflict for boys during the phallic stage?
The main conflict is the Oedipal complex, where the boy experiences an unconscious desire to have his mother all to himself and tries to eliminate the father as a rival. This causes castration anxiety—the fear of losing his father’s love and possibly being castrated.
What is the main conflict for girls during the phallic stage?
The main conflict for girls is penis envy, where they feel the lack of a penis and desire to possess one, often leading to a sense of inferiority. Freud rejected the Electra complex (a counterpart to the Oedipus complex) as unresolved in girls, leading him to claim that girls were morally inferior.
What is the Electra complex?
The Electra complex is a term coined by Jung (not Freud), describing the unconscious desire in girls to replace the mother and win the father’s affection. Freud did not agree with this concept and believed girls’ issues were unresolved during the phallic stage.
What is psychoanalysis in the context of psychotherapy?
Psychoanalysis is a method of psychotherapy designed to deliberately restructure a person’s personality by releasing the unconscious mind and helping the individual deal with unconscious desires, memories, or thoughts in more realistic and mature ways.
What is the goal of psychoanalysis?
The goal of psychoanalysis is to bring unconscious material to conscious awareness so the person can understand and deal with their desires and conflicts more effectively.
What is free association in psychoanalysis
Free association is a technique where the patient is encouraged to let their mind wander freely, commenting on whatever comes to mind, with the psychoanalyst observing for important verbal or nonverbal indicators that reveal unconscious material.
How does free association help reveal the unconscious?
By allowing the mind to wander without censorship, free association helps to uncover unconscious thoughts and desires that are not usually accessible to conscious awareness.
What role do dreams play in psychoanalysis?
What role do Dreams are seen as messages from deep parts of the mind, offering insight into unconscious desires and impulses. They are a way for the unconscious to express itself symbolically.
What is the difference between manifest and latent content in dreams?
Manifest content is the literal content of the dream, or what the dream actually contains.
Latent content is the hidden meaning of the dream, representing unconscious desires or thoughts that are symbolized in the dream elements.
Why is latent content important in psychoanalysis?
The latent content reveals unconscious desires or fears that would be disturbing if expressed directly, allowing the psychoanalyst to interpret and understand the deeper meaning behind the dream.
What are projective techniques in psychoanalysis?
Projective techniques are methods used to reveal unconscious material by having a person respond to ambiguous stimuli, with the belief that they will project aspects of their personality onto the stimulus.
What is the projective hypothesis?
The projective hypothesis suggests that people project their own personalities, desires, and feelings into what they see or interpret in an ambiguous stimulus, revealing unconscious thoughts.
What are some examples of projective techniques?
Rorschach inkblot test (interpreting inkblots).
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) (creating stories about ambiguous pictures).
Drawing tasks (e.g., drawing a tree, house, or person).
Building a village or playing with toys (interpreting how the person arranges or uses them).
How do projective techniques work to reveal the unconscious?
These techniques allow individuals to express unconscious thoughts and emotions by interpreting ambiguous stimuli, enabling the psychoanalyst to analyze the underlying meaning of their responses.
How are projective techniques different from other psychological tests?
Unlike objective tests (like questionnaires), projective techniques are open-ended and less structured, encouraging the subject to project their own emotions, desires, and internal conflicts onto the stimuli, offering insights into their unconscious.
What was the main influence of Freud’s psychoanalysis on the 20th century?
Freud had a great influence on the understanding of the mind’s functioning, especially in terms of how unconscious thoughts and desires affect behavior and emotions.
What is the “talking cure” in psychoanalysis?
The “talking cure” refers to Freud’s approach where the patient talks openly about their thoughts, feelings, and memories, which helps them uncover unconscious material and resolve internal conflicts.
How do psychotherapists use ideas from psychoanalysis today?
Although many psychotherapists don’t practice classical psychoanalysis, they still use concepts from Freud’s theory, such as resistance and transference, to understand and treat clients.
How has Freud’s psychoanalysis influenced everyday language?
Freud’s ideas have entered common language, with terms like:
“He has a conflict with authority.”
“That person has problems because of poor parenting.”
These phrases reflect Freudian concepts such as unresolved conflicts and the role of early relationships in shaping behavior.
What areas of psychology are still influenced by Freud’s ideas?
Freud’s work has influenced various aspects of psychology, such as:
Stages of personality development.
Methods for resolving internal conflicts.
The structure of personality (id, ego, superego) and their interactions.
Does psychoanalysis still have an important role today?
Today, psychoanalysis itself is not as prominent, but it historically influenced the study of personality and remains a foundational theory for many psychological topics.
What is the current value of psychoanalysis?
While psychoanalysis may not hold significant influence today in practical therapy, its historical value is immense, as it laid the groundwork for modern understanding of personality and psychological conflict resolution.
How does contemporary research view Freud’s psychoanalysis?
Freud’s psychoanalysis has little or nothing to do with contemporary research, as it does not align with modern scientific methods or evidence-based practices.
What was Freud’s approach to evidence in his theories?
Freud’s evidence was largely based on case studies, not controlled experiments, making it difficult to validate or generalize his theories scientifically.
What was Freud’s stance on experimentation and hypothesis validation?
Freud did not believe in the value of experimentation or hypothesis validation to support the validity of psychoanalysis, which is a significant criticism from the scientific community.
What was the criticism regarding the generalizability of Freud’s case studies?
Many of Freud’s case studies involved wealthy, talkative women, raising questions about whether his findings could be generalized to the wider population.
What issue exists with Freud’s writings and original observations?
Freud’s writings often lacked original observations and were more about his interpretations, meaning his conclusions may not have been based on actual evidence or data.
What is the criticism regarding Freud’s views on sexual urges in child development?
Freud’s emphasis on sexual urges in child development has been criticized as inappropriate and not reflective of reality, as many aspects of his theory are considered outdated.
What is the criticism about Freud’s idea that personality is determined by age 5?
Freud’s theory that personality is determined by age 5 has little support, and modern research shows that personality continues to evolve throughout life, not just in early childhood.
How is Freud’s view of human nature criticized?
Freud’s view of human nature is often seen as primitive, negative, and overly focused on impulsive and destructive instincts, disregarding more positive or social aspects of human behavior.
What is the criticism regarding Freud’s view of women?
Freud’s view of women, which will be discussed in more detail later, has been widely criticized for being sexist and misogynistic, especially regarding his theories on penis envy and the moral inferiority of women.
