Chapter 11 - Introduction to Psychology

What is a personality?

It is comprised of all the consistent ways in which the behavior of one person differs from that of others

Who was a prominent Personality Theorist?

Freud (1856 - 1939)

What is the Psychodynamic Approach?

Related personality to the interplay of conflicting forces within a person.

Who created Psychoanalysis?

Freud

What is Psychoanalysis?

A method of explaining & dealing with a person’s personality. Freud based psychoanalysis on the assumption that each of us has an unconscious mind as well as a conscious mind. Our unconscious has urges, desires, & emotions, and acts in a less logical manner than the conscious mind. We are not directly aware of our unconscious, but it has a strong influence on our behavior

What are Freudian Slips?

Revelations of the unconscious thoughts & motives. this is when you say what you’re thinking, but don’t mean to say! These “mistakes” are an example of your unconscious revealing itself in often embarrassing ways!

According to Freud, our personality is divided into what three structures?

1. Id

2. Superego

3. Ego

What is the Id?

Concerned with immediate gratification of primitive needs. We derive psychosexual energy from our Libido

What is the Libido?

Driving force of instinctual drive

What is the Superego?

Conscience - Deals with the morality of the situation. Tries to control the impulses of the Id through right & wrong

What is the Ego?

Monitors both the Id & Superego - tries to compromise between the two by satisfying both as best as possible

What are Defense Mechanisms?

Strategies that Freud proposed that alleviate the anxiety from the Id, Superego, and Ego fighting for control

How many Defense Mechanisms are there?

5

What are the five Defense Mechanisms?

1. Denial

2. Projection

3. Displacement

4. Reaction Formation

5. Rationalization

What is Denial?

Refusal to believe information that makes you feel bad

What is Projection?

Negative characteristics that you have that you identify in other people

What is Displacement?

When you redirect your energy from its actual target toward a less threatening target

What is Reaction Formation?

A person presents themselves as the opposite of who they really are

What is Rationalization?

Justifying our words and/or actions

What is the Pleasure Center?

A part of the body, around which all attention is paid during a specific stage of development. The body part is identified by the name of the developmental stage

What is Fixation?

If there is too much or too little stimulation of the specific pleasure center, it becomes fitted at this stage, and continues to receive the most pleasure out of life around this body part

What are the five stages of Freud’s Psychosexual Development?

1. Oral

2. Anal

3. Phallic

4. Latency

5. Genital

Are the Stage of Psychosexual Development conscious or unconscious?

Unconscious

What is the Oral Stage?

(Birth to 1 Year) Eating, crying, sucking. Can chat an oral fixation when too stimulated

What is the Pleasure Center in the Oral Stage?

The mouth

What is the Anal Stage?

(1 - 3 years) Anal Retentive and Anal Expulsive

What is the Pleasure Center in the Anal Stage?

Butt

What is Anal Retentive?

Result of too strict toilet training. Leads to too much pressure. Feels the need to have strict order in everything one does.

What is anal Expulsive?

Result of too lazy during toilet training. Leads to sloppiness, push off deadlines, laid back, and laziness.

What is the Phallic Stage?

(3 - 6 years) Oedipal Complex/Castration Complex and Electra Complex/Penis Envy

What is the Pleasure Center in the Phallic Stage?

One’s own genitals

What is the Oedipal Complex?

Loves mom, hated dad, has to get rid of dad

What is the Castration Complex?

Boys worried that their genitals are going to be cut off by their dad

How does a boy overcome the Oedipal Complex/Castration Complex?

They start to view their dad as a role model instead of a rival

What is the Electra Complex?

Loves dad, hates mom, has to get rid of mom

What is Penis Envy?

I don’t have one, I want one

How does a girl overcome Penis Envy?

Giving birth to a son

What is the Latency Stage?

(6 - 12 years) Primary focus is social. Forming friendships, going to school, interacting with people outside of the family

What is the Pleasure Center in the Latency Stage?

None (Resting Stage)

What is the Genital Stage?

(12+ years) Forming healthy, intimate, balanced relationships

What is the Pleasure Center in the Genital Stage?

The genitals of the opposite sex outside of the immediate family