psychology key vocab (psychodynamics)

psychology a-level key words and vocab, on psychodynamics and freud

Empiricism

the theory that all knowledge is based on experience derived from the senses

Objective

not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering and representing facts

Subjective

based on or influenced by personal feelings

Reliability

the quality of being trustworthy or of performing consistently well; the degree to which the result of a measurement

Replication

the repetition of a scientific experiment or trial to obtain a consistent result

Substance dualism

the mind and the body are two distinct substances with different essences

Scientific method

a method of procedure consisting in systematic observation

Systematic

methodical in procedure or plan

introspection

The examination and reflection upon ones own thoughts emotions and experiences

Id

The impulsive and unconscious part of the psyche that operates according to the pleasure principle

Ego

An individuals sense of self identity and self importance and balances the id's impulses with real world constraints

Superego

The moral conscience representing societal and parental standards, striving for ideal behaviour

Defence mechanisms

Unconscious psychological strategies used to protect individuals from anxiety and uncomfortable emotions, often distorting reality to cope with stressors.

Repression

Defence mechanism that excludes painful or unacceptable experiences from consciousness

Denial

Defence mechanism where an individual refuses to acknowledge reality or objective facts to protect themselves from discomfort or anxiety

Displacement

Defence mechanism where unwanted feelings of impulses are unconsciously redirected from a threatening target to a safer one

identification

a process through which an individual assimilates aspects, properties, or attributes of another person and is transformed, wholly or partially, by the model that the other person provides

Neurosis

Mental health condition that involves chronic distress but not delusions or hallucinations. People with this typically experience symptoms such as anxiety, depression, obsessive behaviours, and phobias

Fixation

Particularly close attachment to a type of pleasure or part of the body

Psychosexual stages

Freud’s theory of personality development where children pass through 5 stages, each focused on a different erogenous zone. Unresolved conflicts at any stage can lead to fixation and influence adult behaviour.

What are the 5 psychosexual stages in order?

Oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital

Oral stage

Pleasure is focused on the mouth through activities like sucking, biting, and feeding. This stage is about dependency and comfort.

Disruption in oral stage can lead to…

Fixation may lead to habits like smoking or nail-biting in adulthood.

When is the oral stage?

0-1 years old

Anal stage

Pleasure comes from controlling bowel movements during toilet training. Success leads to a sense of control.

Disruption in the anal stage can lead to…

Fixation can result in either excessive orderliness (anal-retentive) or messiness (anal-expulsive).

When is the anal stage?

1-3 years old

Phallic stage

The focus shifts to the genitals. Children experience the Oedipus or Electra complex, developing unconscious desires for the opposite-sex parent.

Disruption during the phallic stage can lead to…

Fixation may cause issues with authority or sexual identity later in life.

When is the phallic stage?

3-6 years old

Latency stage

Sexual urges are repressed, and energy is redirected into learning, friendships, and hobbies. This stage supports social and cognitive development, with little focus on sexual pleasure.

When is the latency stage?

6-12 years old

Genital stage

Sexual desires reawaken and are directed toward others in mature relationships. Successful progression through earlier stages leads to well-balanced adult functioning in love and work.

When is the genital stage?

12+ years

Causes of fixation in oral stage

Inconsistent feeding (feeding on demand or strict schedules/early weaning) creates unresolved tension around oral gratification

Causes of fixation in anal stage

Overly strict (child may feel shame or anxiety) or overly lenient (child may not learn boundaries) around potty training

Causes of fixation in phallic stage

If the child doesn’t resolve unconscious conflicts by identifying with same sex parent or if parental relationships are strained

Causes of fixation in latency stage

Unresolved issues from earlier stages may resurface. If the child doesn’t engage socially or intellectually, they may struggle with confidence or peer relationships

Causes of fixation in genital stage

If earlier conflicts weren't resolved, they may interfere with the ability to form healthy adult relationships

Oedipus complex

Freud’s theory that during the phallic stage, boys develop unconscious sexual desire for their mother and view their father as a rival. This leads to castration anxiety and is resolved by identifying with the father.

Electra complex

Freud’s idea that during the phallic stage, girls feel unconscious attraction to their father and jealousy toward their mother. They experience penis envy and resolve the conflict by identifying with the mother.

Confirmation bias

The selective gathering, weighing or interpretation of evidence that supports one's existing beliefs or favoured hypothesis while neglecting or discounting evidence that tells against one's view