Psychological Theories and Concepts

Flashcards summarizing key terms and concepts related to psychological theories and development.

Components of a Useful Theory

A theory must have clarity, simplicity, generality, empirical validity, and usefulness.

Theory

A systematic explanation of an event or behavior based on a set of principles.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction or educated guess derived from a theory.

Id

The part of the psyche that contains primal instincts and basic drives.

Ego

The rational part of the psyche that mediates between the id and reality.

Superego

The moral component of personality that internalizes societal standards.

Defense Mechanisms

Unconscious strategies used to protect the ego from anxiety-provoking thoughts.

Psychological Maturity

The ability to respond to situations in a reasonable, balanced manner.

Freudian Dream Interpretation

Analyzing dreams to understand unconscious desires and conflicts.

Adler's Striving for Wholeness

The concept that individuals have an innate drive towards self-improvement and completion.

Neglected Style of Life

A lifestyle characterized by avoidance of personal responsibility and social relationships.

Safeguarding Tendency

Methods used to protect the self-esteem against feelings of inferiority.

Early Recollections

Memories from early childhood that reveal a core belief and style of life.

Collective Unconscious

A part of the unconscious mind shared among beings of the same species, containing archetypes.

Animus

In Jungian psychology, the unconscious masculine side of a woman.

Archetype

Universal symbols or themes present in the collective unconscious.

Jungian Dream Interpretation

Analyzing dreams with attention to deeper meanings and symbols from the collective unconscious.

Kleinian Therapy

A therapeutic approach focused on internal objects and psychic defenses.

Unified Ego

The concept of a cohesive and balanced sense of self.

Psychic Defense Mechanisms

Strategies to cope with conflict and anxiety, often elaborated by Klein.

Horney's Neurotic Needs

Ten irrational demands that arise from anxiety and influence behavior.

Tyranny of the Should

The unrealistic demands placed on oneself that create feelings of failure.

Developmental Stages

Different phases throughout a person's life, each with its own challenges and tasks.

Pseudospeciation

Erikson's concept that describes how societal division distorts personal relationships.

Breaking the Cycle of Conformity

Fromm's ideas on how to empower individuals to resist societal pressures.

Malignant Narcissism

An extreme form of narcissism that includes antipathy towards others.

Necrophilic Orientation

A fixation on death and decay, manifesting in harmful or destructive behaviors.

Incestuous Symbiosis

An unhealthy, dependent relationship between an individual and their family.

Physiological Needs

Basic human needs essential for survival, differing from higher-level psychological needs.

Instinctoid Needs

Needs that are innate and strong in nature.

Noninstinctoid Needs

Needs that are not biologically based but arise from socio-cultural contexts.

B-Values

Being values associated with self-actualization and higher human functioning.

Jonah Complex

The fear of success and the responsibilities that come with it.