Freud and After Freud

Psychoanalytic Perspectives

Theories in psychology primarily developed by Sigmund Freud and later expanded upon by post-Freudian theorists, focusing on unconscious processes and early childhood experiences.

Stage Theory

Freud's model that divides human development into distinct stages, each characterized by different crises or challenges.

Id, Ego, Superego

The three parts of Freud's model of the psyche: Id is the primal part focused on desires, Ego is the rational part that mediates, and Superego is the moral conscience.

Defense Mechanisms

Psychological strategies used by individuals to manage anxiety and maintain self-image, including denial, repression, and projection.

Transference

The process in therapy where patients project feelings and attitudes towards the therapist based on past relationships.

Neo-Freudians

Psychologists who built upon Freud’s theories but emphasized social and cultural factors, including Adler, Horney, and Jung.

Collective Unconscious

Carl Jung's concept of shared memories and archetypes inherited from ancestors, influencing personality and behavior.

Masculine Protest

An idea from Adler suggesting that individuals often strive to assert their strength or independence, especially in response to perceived inferiority.

Attachment Theory

A psychological model that describes the dynamics of long-term interpersonal relationships, particularly the bonds formed in early life.

Generativity

A concern for establishing and guiding the next generation, an important concept in Erikson's psychosocial development.

Identity Status Theory

Marcia's theory categorizing individuals based on exploration and commitment to identity during adolescence.

Isolation and Closeness

Key fears addressed in attachment theory that reflect the anxiety of being alone versus the vulnerability of being close to others.

Virtue in Freud's Theory

Freud's perspective on moral behavior shaped by the resolve of psychical crises throughout development.

Neurotic Needs

Karen Horney's concept referring to irrational defenses against anxiety that can lead to obsessive behaviors.

Intimacy and Friendship Levels

The varying degrees of closeness in personal relationships which impact how individuals connect and maintain friendships.

Id

The Id is one of the three components of Freud's model of the psyche. It represents the primitive and instinctual part of the mind that contains sexual and aggressive drives, along with basic needs such as hunger and thirst. The Id operates based on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification without regard for reality or social norms. It is present from birth and influences behavior in unconscious ways.

Ego

The Ego is one of the three components of Freud's model of the psyche, acting as the rational mediator between the Id and the Superego. It functions in both the conscious and preconscious levels of the mind, developing from the Id as the individual matures. The Ego operates primarily on the reality principle, seeking to satisfy the Id's desires in realistic and socially acceptable ways. It employs various defense mechanisms to protect the individual from anxiety and to maintain a stable self-image. The Ego is crucial for making decisions, regulating emotions, and managing interpersonal relationships.

Superego

The Superego is one of the three components of Freud's model of the psyche, representing the internalized moral standards and ideals that we acquire from parents and society. It evolves through childhood as individuals learn to differentiate between right and wrong, incorporating values and rules that guide behavior. The Superego operates on the morality principle, aiming to control the impulses of the Id and enforce ethical conduct. It can create feelings of guilt or pride depending on whether one’s actions align with its standards. The Superego is split into two parts: the conscience, which punishes misbehavior with feelings of guilt, and the ideal self, which rewards adherence to moral standards with feelings of pride.