Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytic Theories of Personality

Lecture 7

Freud - Levels of Consciousness

conscious thought = all things we are aware of.

preconscious mind = easily retrievable memories, not conscious but not repressed.

unconscious mind = outside conscious awareness (memories, thoughts, urges not aware of).

Mental Iceberg

conscious level → thoughts and perceptions

preconscious level → memories and stored knowledge

unconscious level → immoral urges, fears, unacceptable sexual desires, irrational wishes, selfish needs, shameful experiences

Freud - Structure of the Mind - Id

unconscious, present at birth.

• pleasure principle →

  • immediate satisfaction of basic needs; tension relief.

  • primary process (thinking, images, fantasies) but unconsciously driven e.g. sexual/aggressive instinctual drives

Freud - Structure of the Mind - Ego

(un)conscious, develops in first months of life.

• primarily conscious →

  • reality orientated - mediates immediate gratification of Id and achievable reality

  • secondary processes - planning and decision making

  • relies on Id for energy; guides goal and direction of Id

Freud - Structures of the Mind - Superego

unconscious - develops through childhood (last).

• moral conscience

  • incorporates morals and values of society

  • grows out of Ego

  • polices conflict between Id and Ego

Psychosexual Development - Oral Stage

timeframe = from birth to 1 year of age

part of body = mouth

conflicts/experiences = weaning; oral gratification from sucking, eating

adult traits associated with stage problems = optimism, gullibility, dependency, passivity

Psychosexual Development - Anal Stage

timeframe = 18 months → 3 years

part of body = anus

conflicts/experiences = toilet training; gratification from expelling/withholding faeces

adult traits associated with stage problems = excessive cleanliness, orderliness, stinginess

Psychosexual Development - Phallic

timeframe = 3-5 years

part of body = genitals

conflicts/experiences = Oedipal conflict; sexual curiosity, masturbation

adult traits associated with stage problems = flirtatiousness, vanity, promiscuity, pride

Psychosexual Development - Latency and Genital Stages

latency period → period of sexual calm; interest in school, hobbies, same-sex friends (5-12 years)

genital stage → revival of sexual fantasies, establishment of mature sexual relationships (12-18+ years)

Conflict Resolution and Defence Mechanisms

repression = Ego; keeps disturbing thoughts from consciousness

isolation/denial = block external events from awareness

sublimation = satisfy impulse with substitute object in socially acceptable way

regression = movement back in psychological time when faced with stress

displacement = satisfy impulse with substitute object

reaction formation = replace initial impulse towards situation with opposite impulse

projection = externalise unacceptable feelings; attribute to others; blame others for our shortcomings

Object Relations Theory (Melanie Klein)

driven to form relationships with others - failure in early relationships leads to later problems. relation between subject and their internalised objects + external objects.

self perceives object → perceive self in relation to object → perceive relationship between self and object

example:

• infancy neglect/abuse → expect similar from others who remind adult of past.

• images of others turn into unconscious objects that self carries to adulthood

• images used by unconscious to predict others’ behaviour

Mahler’s Theory 

forming relationships for personality development. categories early childhood object relations to account for personality:

• normal autistic phase (0-1 months)

• normal symbiotic phase (1-5 months)

• separation individualisation phase (5-24 months) - link with attachment theory

Mahler’s Theory - Normal Autistic Phase

infant focused on self; uninterested in external stimuli. mother viewed as part of infant.

primary goal → achieve equilibrium; lacks understanding that satisfaction of needs may come from external source

Mahler’s Theory - Normal Symbiotic Phase

acknowledge mother existence as source of need-satisfaction.

psychological need fulfillment intertwines with psychological desires → basis future relationships formed upon.

availability and ability to adapt to infant needs by mother crucial for stage progression.

Mahler’s Theory - Separation Individualisation Phase

develop understanding of boundaries of self → mother viewed as individual.

differentiation/hatching:

• internal to external focus e.g. motor development allows increased separation

practicing:

• separation capacity develops further → increase autonomous functions. experience of world influenced by reactions of mother

rapprochement:

• desire for independence marred by fear of abandonment → seek proximity to caregiver while exploring

object constancy:

• internal mental model of mother supports child when separated. sense of individuality develops

Supporting Evidence

Bornstein (2009; 2010): unconscious processes influence behaviour (psychodynamic).

Cramer (2006): use of ego defences help determine psychological adjustment/physical health. rationalisation + sublimation psychologically healthier than repression/reaction formation.

Silverstein (2007); Wachtel (1997): mental reps of self and others = blueprints for later relationships. sig. life figures shape expectations for later friendships and romance.