m55: freud's psychoanalytic perspective

personality

what makes a person unique; characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, acting

psychoanalytic theory

thoughts & actions controlled by unconscious motives & conflicts

freud believed the unconscious mind was a reservoir…

of mostly unacceptable thoughts, wishes, feelings, memories

free association

explore unconscious mind by having client relax & say wtv comes to mind, regardless of how bizzare

ID (irrational devil)

seeks to satisfy sexual & aggressive drives bc submerged in unconscious level

superego (SUPER good)

moral compass, conscience

forces ego to considered the ideal/perfect standard of what a person should be

acquired at around 6-7 years old

ego

seeks to please id’s impulses in realistic ways that bring long-term pleasure

reality principle be mediating between id, superego, environment

psychosexual stages

5 critical stages defined by sexual cycle concentrating at erogenous zones

fixation

persistent focus/mentally stuck

oral phase (age 0-1)

oral senses, main pleasure from sucking

trauma occurs if children drinks formula too early/left alone when hungry

anal phase (1-3)

control of bladder & bowel movements, learn to use restroom

trauma occurs when forced to potty train too early/punished for mistakes/neglected

phallic phase (3-6)

conflict with opposite sex parent

oedipus complex, electra complex, castration anxiety, penis envy

oedipus complex

boys’ conflict bc rivalry with father, sexual desire for mother

castration anxiety

desire mother & fantasize getting rid of father, knowing father is stronger & fear of being punished for desire

penis envy

penis is key to power & domination, also want one

latent phase (7-13)

libido suppressed, sexual energy sublimed into life skills

absorb parent’s values, superego strengths, strongly identify with social values, same-sex heroes, & friends

no real conflict

genital phase (puberty-death)

libido active bc interest in sexual partners

challenging to balance sexual desires & needs of superego to obey social norms

identification

ego defense; identifying with another person, absorbing their ideals & values

defense mechanisms

reduce/redirect anxiety by distorting reality

repression

unconsciously shut out anxiety arousing impulses from awareness

denial

rejecting/perceiving painful realities

reaction formation

emotional response/attitude that is opposite of repressed feelings

projection

taking unacceptable feelings & attributing them to others

displacement

taking repressed feelings out on uninvolved, innocent target

rationalization

creating excuses to justify situation, ignoring real reason for repressed feelings

regression

childlike behaviors to ventilate repressed feelings

sublimation

redirecting repressed feelings into socially productive activity