Psychodynamic Perspectives and Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory

These flashcards cover key concepts related to psychodynamic perspectives and Freud's psychoanalytic theory, focusing on internal processes, the architecture of the mind, and techniques for exploring the unconscious.

Psychodynamic perspectives

The notion that personality is a function of internal processes and conflicts over which individuals have little or no conscious awareness or personal control.

Freud's psychoanalytic perspective

A psychological theory developed by Sigmund Freud describing the mind's structure and the impact of the unconscious.

Iceberg model

Freud's model illustrating the conscious, preconscious, and unconscious regions of the mind.

Conscious mind

The tip of the iceberg, representing mental activities of which an individual is currently aware.

Preconscious mind

Mental information just below the surface that can be accessed when needed, represented as slightly underwater.

Unconscious mind

The largest part of the iceberg, containing thoughts, feelings, and memories not accessible to awareness but affecting behavior.

Free association

A technique in psychoanalysis where individuals say whatever comes to mind to reveal unconscious thoughts.

Dream analysis

A technique used to interpret dreams in order to understand the unconscious mind and its influence on personality.

Manifest content

The actual content of a dream as remembered by the dreamer, often a disguise of deeper meanings.

Latent content

The hidden meanings and expressions of the unconscious mind reflected in dreams.