Psychoanalytical perspective

Freud's theory

• Id - operates according to the pleasure principal, to satisfy pleasure and reduce inner tension 

• Superego - the personality structure that develops to internalize societal rules and to guide goalseeking behavior towards socially acceptable pursuits 

• Ego - the personality structure that deals with the real world, for Carl Jung the part that is conscious, operates on the reality principle  

Anxiety

according to freud is when the ego is malfunctioning 

Defense mechanism

processes that distort reality to protect the ego 

Repression

pushes threatening thoughts back to the unconscious

Reaction formation

 pushing away threatening impulses by overemphasizing the opposite in thought or action

Denial

refusal to acknowledge an anxiety provoking stimulus 

Projection

Anxiety arousing impulses are externalized by placing them on others

Displacement

 shifting of the target one’s unconscious fears

Regression

return to an earlier stage of life in order to escape present threats

Rationalization

posthoc logical explanations for behavior that were driven by internal unconscious motives

Sublimation

transforming of dangerous impulses into positive socially accepted motives  

Conscious ego CJ

 the aspect of ego that conscious and embodies the sense of self

Personal unconscious CJ

contains thoughts and feelings that are not currently part of the conscious awareness

Collective unconscious CJ

deeper level of unconscious with powerful universal emotional symbols called archetypes, everyone has every type but different amount

Archetypes

innate and universal predisposition in how we react to common recurring stimuli

Animus and anima

the male element of a woman and female element of a man 

Persona and shadow

 the difference in outer appearance and inner selves

The mother

embodies the generativity and fertility

Hero and demon

strong and good forces versus cruelty and evil

Adler’s individual psychology

stresses the unique motivation of each individual and the importance for a person's perceived niche in society, striving for superiority is the central core personality. Helplessness ➡ inferiority ➡ starving for superiority

Inferiority complex AA

exaggerated normal feelings of incompetence leads to hopelessness

Superiority complex AA

exaggerated arrogance that an  individual develops to overcome inferiority complex

Organ inferiority AA

everyone is born with some physical weakness, create strategies to cope 

Masculine protest AA

children are markedly feminine and experiences a drive to become more competent and independent

Perfection striving AA

an individual’s attempt to reach a fictional goal by eliminating their perceived psychological flaws.

Karen Horney’s culture and feminism

 the importance of self realization and growth for each individual is critical and defines self. Helplessness ➡ basic anxiety ➡ intrapersonal coping strategies

Basic anxiety KH

the child’s fear of being alone, helpless and insecure

Reinterpretation of woman inferiority KH

woman feel inferior to men based on the way they are raised in society and the overemphasis on securing the love of a man

Reaction of basic anxiety KH

passive, aggressive or withdrawn

Neurotic coping strategies KH

moving towards, moving against and moving away from people

Objective relation theory

The most important focus in object relations theory is how early relationships especially with primary caregivers shape the development of the self and our patterns of relating to others.

Margaret Mahler’s symbiosis

We face a struggle between need for autonomy and a longing to become one with a close other

Melanie Klein’s play therapy

 We both love and hate those closest to us and this conflict is resolved through deeper comprehension of the ’object’

Heinz Kohut’s therapist strategy

By playing the part of the therapist-parent, it is possible to foster a healthy self concept 

Erikson’s lifespan approach

the process of developing a personality and self is a life long process. Balancing positive and negative traits resulting in the development of virtue. Eight stages, each stage shapes the ego through conflict.