Week 5 - Intrapsychic Theories Flashcards
How did Freud view the human mind?
A) Like a computer
B) Like a social system
C) Like a hydraulic system under pressure
D) Like a muscle that gets stronger
C) Like a hydraulic system under pressure
Freud believed the mind operates through internal pressures, and redirecting psychic energy leads to personality change.
Which concepts are central to Freud’s theory of personality?
A) Conditioning, reinforcement, and modeling
B) Instinct model, psychosexual stages, and structural (id, ego, superego) model
C) Emotional intelligence, memory, and perception
D) Self-actualization, congruence, and hierarchy of needs
B) Instinct model, psychosexual stages, and structural (id, ego, superego) model
What are Freud’s two basic instinctual drives in his later theory?
A) Pleasure and pain
B) Hunger and love
C) Life instinct (libido) and death instinct (Thanatos)
D) Ego and id
C) Life instinct (libido) and death instinct (Thanatos)
(Initial formulation included:
- Self preservation (survival instincts),
- Reproduction (sexual instincts)
What did Freud mean by “the doctrine of opposites”?
A) Emotions are unpredictable
B) The conscious mind always resists the unconscious
C) Everything has an opposite; life instincts are balanced by death instincts
D) All instincts come from external sources
C) Everything has an opposite; life instincts are balanced by death instincts
Freud believed that every major force (like love and hate, or sex and aggression) exists in a dynamic opposition, driving behavior.
Freud’s instinct model was initially inspired by…?
A) Pavlov’s experiments on conditioning
B) Darwin’s theory of evolution
C) Jung’s theory of archetypes
D) Behaviorist theories of learning
B) Darwin’s theory of evolution
What happens if a person becomes fixated during a psychosexual stage?
A) They skip that stage entirely
B) They lose all psychic energy
C) They leave too much libido (energy) at that stage
D) They become resistant to adulthood
C) They leave too much libido (energy) at that stage
Fixation occurs when a child does not fully resolve a stage, leaving psychic energy behind.
What does Freud mean by ‘regression’?
A) The mind becomes unconscious
B) Returning to an earlier stage under stress
C) Developing new adult traits
D) Losing memory of childhood events
B) Returning to an earlier stage under stress
Under stress, adults may regress to a stage where they were fixated, repeating old behaviors (e.g., nail biting or dependency).
What does libido do during childhood according to Freud?
A) Remains dormant until adolescence
B) Increases steadily with age
C) Follows a developmental path through psychosexual stages
D) Moves randomly between emotional states
C) Follows a developmental path through psychosexual stages
Freud believed libido (psychic energy) moves through specific stages, each focused on different erogenous zones.
What is the correct order of Freud’s psychosexual stages of development?
A) Oral → Anal → Phallic → Genital → Latency
B) Oral → Phallic → Anal → Latency → Genital
C) Oral → Anal → Phallic → Latency → Genital
D) Anal → Oral → Latency → Phallic → Genital
C) Oral → Anal → Phallic → Latency → Genital
Oral (0–18 months): Dependency
Anal (2–3 years): Order/control
Phallic (4–6 years): Identity & Oedipus complex
Latency (7–11 years): Sublimation
Genital (12+ years): Mature sexuality
What is the main conflict in the oral stage (0–18 months)?
A) Control and cleanliness
B) Identification with same-sex parent
C) Dependency and trust
D) Mature romantic attachment
C) Dependency and trust
In the oral stage, the child’s focus is on sucking, feeding, and forming trusting bonds.
What is the main conflict in the anal stage (2–3 years)?
A) Forming friendships
B) Cleanliness, control, and compliance
C) Sexual identity
D) Trust in caregivers
B) Cleanliness, control, and compliance
The anal stage is centered around toilet training, where the child learns about self-control and obedience.
What is the main conflict in the phallic stage (4–6 years)?
A) Learning language
B) Trust and mistrust
C) Identification with parents and resolution of the Oedipus complex
D) Controlling impulses
C) Identification with parents and resolution of the Oedipus complex
In the phallic stage, children face identity issues and navigate the Oedipus or Electra complex, leading to superego development.
What is the central concern of the genital stage (12+ years)?
A) Parental separation
B) Mastery of toilet habits
C) Establishing mature romantic relationships and sexuality
D) Formation of gender identity
C) Establishing mature romantic relationships and sexuality
The genital stage is marked by emotional and sexual maturity, as the individual seeks healthy adult relationships.
What is the focus of the latency stage (7–11 years)?
A) Dependency on caregivers
B) Exploration of romantic interest
C) Sublimation of sexual and aggressive impulses
D) Rebellion against authority
C) Sublimation of sexual and aggressive impulses
In the latency stage, sexual energy is redirected into social, academic, and creative pursuits.
What are the three parts of the mind in Freud’s model of consciousness?
A) Id, ego, and superego
B) Conscious, unconscious, and instinctual
C) Conscious, preconscious, and unconscious
D) Rational, emotional, and physical
C) Conscious, preconscious, and unconscious
According to Freud, which components make up the structural model of personality?
A) Id
B) Ego
C) Superego
D) All of the above
D) All of the above
In Freud’s structural model of personality, what are the key characteristics of the id?
A) Logical, rational, and focused on long-term planning
B) Operates according to reality and social rules
C) Unconscious, driven by impulses, and seeks immediate pleasure
D) Morally guided and self-critical
C) Unconscious, driven by impulses, and seeks immediate pleasure
The id is the primitive part of the mind, completely unconscious, and operates on the pleasure principle, seeking instant gratification of basic drives and desires, especially sexual and aggressive urges.
What is the primary role of the superego in Freud’s personality theory?
A) To seek immediate pleasure and fulfill instinctual desires
B) To mediate between desire, morality, and reality
C) To act as the internal moral guide, enforcing ideals and producing guilt
D) To process logical and factual information only
C) To act as the internal moral guide, enforcing ideals and producing guilt
The superego is the moral component of personality, shaped by parental and societal standards. It enforces right and wrong and creates feelings of guilt when we violate internalized ideals.
What is the main function of the ego in Freud’s theory of personality?
A) To satisfy impulses immediately without concern for consequences
B) To enforce moral rules and create guilt
C) To mediate between the id and superego using rational thinking
D) To repress all emotional experiences
C) To mediate between the id and superego using rational thinking
The ego operates on the reality principle, using logical and goal-directed thinking to balance the demands of the id with the moral rules of the superego and the constraints of the real world.
According to Freud, what causes anxiety?
A) Too much conscious thought
B) An imbalance in the nervous system
C) A conflict between the id, ego, and superego that threatens the ego’s control
D) Lack of emotional expression
C) A conflict between the id, ego, and superego that threatens the ego’s control
Which type of anxiety comes from a conflict between the id and ego?
A) Objective
B) Moral
C) Neurotic
D) Social
C) Neurotic
Which type of anxiety results from conflict between the ego and superego?
A) Neurotic
B) Objective
C) Moral
D) Social
C) Moral
Which type of anxiety is a response to a real external threat?
A) Moral
B) Objective
C) Neurotic
D) Internal
B) Objective
Which defense mechanism involves refusing to accept reality?
A) Repression
B) Denial
C) Displacement
D) Projection
B) Denial
Which defense mechanism turns an unacceptable impulse into its opposite?
A) Projection
B) Displacement
C) Repression
D) Reaction formation
D) Reaction formation
(e.g., being overly kind to someone you dislike)
Which defense mechanism keeps anxiety-provoking thoughts unconscious?
A) Denial
B) Reaction formation
C) Repression
D) Sublimation
C) Repression
Which defense mechanism involves attributing your own unacceptable impulses to someone else?
A) Displacement
B) Rationalisation
C) Projection
D) Denial
C) Projection
(e.g., “You’re the one who’s angry!” when you’re the angry one).
Which defense mechanism involves explaining away actions to reduce anxiety?
A) Denial
B) Rationalisation
C) Repression
D) Reaction formation
B) Rationalisation
(e.g., “I had to do it for their own good”).
Which defense mechanism involves redirecting emotions to a safer substitute target?
A) Projection
B) Sublimation
C) Displacement
D) Suppression
✅ Correct Answer: C) Displacement
(e.g., yelling at a friend instead of your boss).
Which defense mechanism involves reverting to an earlier stage of development?
A) Repression
B) Regression
C) Displacement
D) Projection
B) Regression
Regression occurs when someone acts childlike or reverts to earlier behaviors when faced with stress or anxiety.
Which defense mechanism expresses anger indirectly or subtly?
A) Reaction formation
B) Passive aggression
C) Rationalisation
D) Denial
B) Passive aggression
In passive aggression, anger is expressed in a hidden or indirect way—like procrastinating or “forgetting” something intentionally.
Which defense mechanism channels unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable activities?
A) Displacement
B) Rationalisation
C) Sublimation
D) Regression
C) Sublimation
Sublimation is a mature defense mechanism where unacceptable urges (like aggression) are redirected into constructive outlets (e.g., art, sports, work).
What is a Freudian slip (parapraxis) according to Freud?
A) A joke told in poor taste
B) A form of passive aggression
C) An unintended action or word revealing unconscious impulses
D) A conscious decision to say something inappropriate
C) An unintended action or word revealing unconscious impulses
Freudian slips, or parapraxes, are accidental words, actions, or forgetfulness that reflect unconscious thoughts or desires leaking into awareness.
According to Freud, what is forgetting often a result of?
A) Poor memory
B) Repression of anxiety-provoking material
C) Sleep deprivation
D) Lack of interest
B) Repression of anxiety-provoking material
Freud believed that forgetting is often an act of repression—the mind’s way of avoiding distress by pushing thoughts out of awareness.
How did Freud view humour?
A) As a way to bond with others
B) As a sign of low emotional intelligence
C) As a socially acceptable release of unacceptable impulses
D) As unrelated to unconscious thought
C) As a socially acceptable release of unacceptable impulses
Freud saw humour as a “safe” way to express repressed desires, often involving taboo or aggressive themes hidden beneath jokes.
What is the main goal of psychoanalysis according to Freud?
A) To change behavior using punishment
B) To suppress unconscious thoughts
C) To make the unconscious conscious
D) To teach coping strategies only
C) To make the unconscious conscious
(Freud believed that bringing unconscious thoughts and feelings into awareness was essential for personality change and healing)
Which of the following is a psychoanalytic technique used to uncover the unconscious?
A) Cognitive reframing
B) Dream analysis
C) Behavioral rehearsal
D) Group discussion
B) Dream analysis
What is free association in psychoanalysis?
A) Talking only about current problems
B) Saying whatever comes to mind without censorship
C) Writing down daily goals
D) Discussing past trauma in detail only
B) Saying whatever comes to mind without censorship
In free association, clients are encouraged to speak freely, helping unconscious material surface naturally.
What are projective techniques designed to do in psychoanalysis?
A) Test memory and attention
B) Measure conscious thoughts directly
C) Reveal unconscious thoughts through interpretation of ambiguous stimuli
D) Teach relaxation skills
C) Reveal unconscious thoughts through interpretation of ambiguous stimuli
Projective techniques like the Rorschach Inkblot Test or Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) present ambiguous images, allowing hidden thoughts, feelings, and desires to emerge through interpretation.
What is a primary focus of contemporary psychoanalysis?
A) Dream symbolism and wish fulfillment
B) Childhood relationships and adult interpersonal conflicts
C) Repression of traumatic memories
D) Aggression and sexual drives only
B) Childhood relationships and adult interpersonal conflicts
Contemporary psychoanalysis emphasizes how early relationships (especially with caregivers) shape patterns in adult emotional and social life, rather than focusing solely on drives like Freud did.
What is the focus of Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development?
A) Sexual urges and repression
B) Genetic factors in behavior
C) Resolving identity crises at different life stages
D) Conditioning and reinforcement
C) Resolving identity crises at different life stages
Erikson proposed that each stage of development involves a psychosocial conflict or crisis that must be resolved to build a healthy identity.
What happens if a person has difficulty establishing identity, according to Erikson?
A) They become emotionally repressed
B) They experience an identity crisis
C) They develop physical symptoms
D) They skip developmental stages
B) They experience an identity crisis
Failing to resolve key identity-related conflicts can lead to confusion and instability in self-concept.
How did Erikson view the ego compared to Freud?
A) As weak and dependent on the id
B) As passive and biologically driven
C) As powerful and capable of growth and adaptation
D) As only involved in unconscious defense mechanisms
C) As powerful and capable of growth and adaptation
Unlike Freud, Erikson saw the ego as an active force, playing a key role in goal setting, identity formation, and environmental mastery
What is a primary function of the ego in Erikson’s theory?
A) Repressing painful memories
B) Managing internal desires
C) Establishing a secure identity
D) Enhancing memory recall
C) Establishing a secure identity
Erikson emphasized that a strong sense of self is central to psychological health, and building that identity is a core ego function.
What was Karen Horney’s key argument in her feminist reinterpretation of Freud’s theory?
A) Penis envy is biologically rooted
B) Women are naturally less psychologically developed
C) The penis represents social power, not literal envy
D) Gender differences are fixed and universal
C) The penis represents social power, not literal envy
Horney argued that women’s feelings of inferiority were not due to anatomy, but to social and cultural inequality—the “penis” symbolized power, not physical superiority.
What is narcissism?
A) A tendency to avoid social interaction
B) A fear of being criticized in public
C) An inflated self-admiration and constant need for attention
D) A desire to help others at one’s own expense
C) An inflated self-admiration and constant need for attention
Narcissism involves excessive self-focus, self-importance, and efforts to gain admiration from others.
What did Bushman & Baumeister (1998) find about narcissism and aggression?
A) Narcissistic individuals were less aggressive when criticized
B) Narcissism had no effect on aggression after feedback
C) Narcissistic individuals showed more aggression after negative feedback, even toward innocent people
D) Narcissists only became aggressive when praised
C) Narcissistic individuals showed more aggression after negative feedback, even toward innocent people
The study found that high narcissism predicted stronger aggressive responses—including displaced aggression—after an ego threat (negative feedback).
What did Twenge & Campbell (2003) find about narcissism and aggression?
A) Narcissistic people suppress anger and avoid conflict
B) Narcissism is unrelated to aggression or rejection
C) Narcissistic individuals show more aggression when rejected, including toward innocent third parties
D) Narcissism leads to better emotional regulation after rejection
C) Narcissistic individuals show more aggression when rejected, including toward innocent third parties
The study found that people high in narcissism tend to respond to rejection with increased aggression, not just toward the rejecter, but also through displaced aggression
What did Rhodewalt & Eddings (2002) find about narcissism and memory?
A) Narcissistic individuals forget both positive and negative events
B) High narcissism leads to better memory overall
C) High narcissism is linked to remembering positive past events after rejection
D) Rejection has no impact on narcissistic memory
C) High narcissism is linked to remembering positive past events after rejection
The study found that narcissistic individuals cope with romantic rejection by recalling positive self-relevant memories, helping them protect their ego.
What did Buffardi & Campbell (2008) discover about narcissism and social media use?
A) Narcissists rarely post on social media
B) High narcissism predicts more self-promotion and higher activity on Facebook
C) People with low narcissism show more agentic traits online
D) Facebook use is unrelated to narcissism
B) High narcissism predicts more self-promotion and higher activity on Facebook
Narcissistic individuals were more likely to post attractive photos, engage in self-promotion, and be rated as narcissistic by strangers—matching their NPI scores.
According to Campbell et al. (2002), how do narcissists perceive themselves compared to people with high self-esteem?
A) Narcissists rate themselves higher than average on both agentic and communal traits
B) Narcissists see themselves as better than average only on agentic traits
C) People with high self-esteem see themselves as worse than average
D) Narcissists see themselves as more moral than others
B) Narcissists see themselves as better than average only on agentic traits
Narcissists rate themselves highly on agentic traits (e.g., intelligence, power), but not on communal traits (e.g., kindness, morality), while people with high self-esteem rate themselves highly on both.
How do narcissists and people with high self-esteem differ in romantic partner comparisons?
A) Both believe they are equal to their partners
B) Narcissists see themselves as better; people with high self-esteem do not
C) High self-esteem individuals view themselves as worse than their partners
D) Narcissists and high SE individuals both see their partners as inferior
B) Narcissists see themselves as better; people with high self-esteem do not
Narcissists tend to think they are better than their romantic partners, whereas those with high self-esteem generally do not show this superiority bias.
What traits make up the Dark Triad of personality?
A) Introversion, anxiety, and low self-esteem
B) Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy
C) Empathy, altruism, and agreeableness
D) Dominance, extroversion, and impulsivity
B) Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy
The Dark Triad refers to three socially aversive personality traits—narcissism (entitlement and self-focus), Machiavellianism (manipulation and strategy), and psychopathy (lack of empathy and impulsivity).
What is Machiavellianism in the context of the Dark Triad?
A) A trait focused on empathy and moral fairness
B) A manipulative personality style centered on strategic control and self-interest
C) A lack of interest in social situations
D) A deep concern for others’ well-being
B) A manipulative personality style centered on strategic control and self-interest
Machiavellianism is marked by cynicism, manipulation, and calculated behavior, often with little regard for ethics if it helps achieve personal goals.
What additional trait is included in the Dark Tetrad that is not part of the Dark Triad?
A) Anxiety
B) Sadism
C) Neuroticism
D) Extroversion
B) Sadism
The Dark Tetrad includes the original Dark Triad traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy) and adds sadism, which involves enjoying others’ suffering.
According to motivation theory, what typically leads to goal-directed behavior?
A) Behavior causes the motive to appear
B) Needs arise randomly, independent of deficits
C) A deficit creates a need, which activates a motive and leads to behavior
D) Motives are unconscious and unrelated to needs
C) A deficit creates a need, which activates a motive and leads to behavior
When there is a deficit (e.g., lack of social interaction), it creates a need, which then triggers a motive (the desire to act), leading to thoughts, fantasies, and behavior aimed at fulfilling that need.
What characterizes the achievement motive in motivation theory?
A) Desire to dominate and control others
B) Desire to avoid conflict in relationships
C) Desire to do better, be successful, and feel competent
D) Desire to gain social approval above all else
C) Desire to do better, be successful, and feel competent
The achievement motive reflects a drive to excel, improve performance, and feel capable, and has been studied in relation to career paths, parenting, and gender differences.
How do achievement motives tend to differ between men and women, according to research?
A) Men value family over career; women value only career success
B) Men and women show identical patterns in achievement outcomes
C) Men link achievement to business careers, while women often value both family and work goals
D) Women are less likely to have achievement motives
C) Men link achievement to business careers, while women often value both family and work goals
Research found that men’s achievement often aligned with business success, while women’s motives showed diverse paths, sometimes involving family, work, or both, and were influenced by early family life.
What are the “Big Three” motives in motivation theory?
A) Achievement, aggression, independence
B) Affiliation, dominance, success
C) Achievement, power, intimacy
D) Creativity, confidence, curiosity
C) Achievement, power, intimacy
What characterizes the power motive in motivation theory?
A) Desire to be loved and accepted by others
B) Desire to avoid failure and criticism
C) Desire to have an impact or influence over others
D) Desire to achieve personal goals without recognition
C) Desire to have an impact or influence over others
The power motive involves the drive to influence, lead, or control others, often seen in behaviors like taking risks, arguing, or seeking leadership roles.
What sex difference is commonly observed in people with high power needs?
A) Women with high power needs are more aggressive than men
B) Men and women express power needs identically
C) Men with high power needs show more aggressive or impulsive behaviors
D) Women are unaffected by power motives
C) Men with high power needs show more aggressive or impulsive behaviors
Studies show that high-power men are more likely to engage in dominant or aggressive behaviors, while high-power women tend to express it in less overtly aggressive ways.
What characterizes the intimacy motive in motivation theory?
A) Desire to influence or control others
B) Desire for solitary achievement and success
C) Desire for close, warm, and fulfilling relationships
D) Desire for independence from social connections
C) Desire for close, warm, and fulfilling relationships
The intimacy motive reflects a drive to form deep, meaningful social bonds, and is linked to greater happiness, better adjustment, and life satisfaction.
Which group tends to show a higher need for intimacy on average?
A) Men
B) Women
C) No sex differences found
D) Children only
B) Women
Research shows that, on average, women report a higher need for intimacy than men, often reflected in their preference for emotionally close relationships.
What is the Rorschach test designed to assess?
A) Intelligence and cognitive speed
B) Physical coordination
C) Personality structure and inner conflicts
D) Moral reasoning
C) Personality structure and inner conflicts
The Rorschach test is a projective technique used to explore a person’s unconscious motives, needs, and emotional functioning.
What kind of stimuli does the Rorschach test use?
A) Short stories
B) Abstract geometric puzzles
C) Symmetrical inkblots
D) Lists of adjectives
C) Symmetrical inkblots
The test consists of 10 inkblots, which are ambiguous and symmetrical, encouraging individuals to project their thoughts and feelings.
What is the central assumption behind the Rorschach test?
A) People always describe what they literally see
B) Responses are based on learned knowledge
C) People organize ambiguous stimuli based on their own motives and conflicts
D) People are aware of why they respond the way they do
C) People organize ambiguous stimuli based on their own motives and conflicts
The test assumes that people project their inner world onto ambiguous images, revealing aspects of their unconscious.
What happens after all 10 Rorschach cards are shown?
A) The test is scored automatically
B) The person is asked to pick their favorite card
C) The person is asked to clarify what influenced their responses
D) The cards are reshuffled and presented again
C) The person is asked to clarify what influenced their responses
Follow-up questions help the examiner understand the reasoning and focus behind each answer, enriching the interpretation.
What is one major contribution of the Rorschach and similar projective tests?
A) Focus on direct measurement of IQ
B) Emphasis on genetic determinism
C) Highlighting unconscious processes and internal conflict
D) Use of highly structured self-report questions
C) Highlighting unconscious processes and internal conflict
Projective tests like the Rorschach helped bring unconscious motives and psychodynamic conflict into psychological assessment.
What research method is commonly criticized in psychoanalytic approaches like the Rorschach?
A) Randomized controlled trials
B) Case study method
C) Surveys with large samples
D) Double-blind experiments
B) Case study method
Critics argue that psychoanalytic methods rely too heavily on subjective case studies, which can lack scientific rigor.
Which of the following is a common critique of psychoanalytic theories related to projective testing?
A) Too focused on observable behavior
B) Overuse of large sample studies
C) Concepts are often poorly defined and untestable
D) They ignore unconscious processes
C) Concepts are often poorly defined and untestable
Many of Freud’s and Rorschach-based ideas are criticized for being vague and difficult to empirically test.
What criticism is often made about gender in classical psychoanalytic theories?
A) They focus equally on both sexes
B) They are often considered sexist
C) They ignore masculine behavior
D) They are too focused on modern gender roles
B) They are often considered sexist
Freud and related theorists have been widely critiqued for sexist assumptions, especially in views of female development (e.g., “penis envy”).
What does the abbreviation TAT stand for in psychology?
A) Thematic Analysis Tool
B) Thematic Assessment Technique
C) Thematic Apperception Test
D) Thematic Association Task
C) Thematic Apperception Test
The TAT (developed by Murray, 1943) is a projective test used to explore a person’s underlying motives, needs, and conflicts through storytelling based on ambiguous pictures.
What is the primary purpose of the TAT in clinical settings?
A) To measure intelligence and cognitive speed
B) To explore unconscious processes and create hypotheses about personality
C) To test memory recall and attention
D) To assess physical reaction to emotional images
B) To explore unconscious processes and create hypotheses about personality
The TAT is used as an exploratory tool, helping clinicians understand the inner world of the individual through thematic content in their stories.
What kind of images are used in the TAT?
A) Vivid and detailed action scenes
B) Blank cards with no images
C) Ambiguous pictures without explicit emotions or actions
D) Photographs of real-life events
C) Ambiguous pictures without explicit emotions or actions
The images in the TAT are deliberately vague, prompting the individual to project their own emotions, motives, and narratives into the story.
Which of the following are key indicators of the achievement motive in TAT scoring?
A) Social bonding, group loyalty, and empathy
B) Goal-setting, striving for excellence, overcoming obstacles, anticipating success
C) Avoidance of failure, seeking approval, and role compliance
D) Obedience, conformity, and moral judgment
B) Goal-setting, striving for excellence, overcoming obstacles, anticipating success
The achievement motive is reflected in narratives that emphasize personal success, ambition, and the pursuit of challenging goals.
What are key indicators of the intimacy motive in TAT scoring?
A) Striving to outperform others and gain recognition
B) Showing emotional closeness, warmth, and shared understanding
C) Leading large groups and asserting dominance
D) Avoiding relationships to focus on independence
B) Showing emotional closeness, warmth, and shared understanding
The intimacy motive is reflected in stories where characters form close, fulfilling connections, express affection, and seek emotional security.
