Psychodynamic Approaches to Personality Psychology

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes about psychodynamic approaches to personality psychology, focusing on key terms and definitions related to Freud's theories.

Psychodynamic (Freudian) Approaches

Psychological theories that focus on the influence of the unconscious mind and childhood experiences on behavior and personality.

Unconscious

Part of the mind containing memories, desires, and feelings that are not accessible to consciousness, often influencing behavior.

Ego

The part of the personality that mediates between the desires of the id and the moral constraints of the superego; operates on the reality principle.

Superego

The part of the personality that represents internalized societal and parental standards of conduct; associated with morality and conscience.

Id

The primal part of the personality that seeks immediate gratification of basic drives and desires, including sexual and aggressive impulses.

Psychosexual Stages

Freud's theory of childhood development, which proposes that personality develops through a series of stages based on erogenous zones.

Oedipus Complex

A child's unconscious desire for the opposite-sex parent and jealousy toward the same-sex parent.

Freudian Slips

Mistaken slips of the tongue or memory revealing unconscious thoughts or desires.

Hysteria

A psychological condition caused by unresolved inner conflicts, often associated with repressed emotions and experiences.

Reality Principle

The ability of the ego to assess reality and act effectively in a socially acceptable manner, delaying gratification.

Libido

The underlying psychic energy or drive associated with sexual desire.

Defense Mechanisms

Psychological strategies used by the ego to manage anxiety and conflict by distorting reality.

Latent Content

The hidden psychological meaning of a dream, as opposed to its manifest content, which is the actual storyline.

Manifest Content

The actual literal content and storyline of a dream.

Early Development

Freud's emphasis on the importance of childhood experiences in shaping personality and behavior.