Classic Theories of Social and Personality Development: Psychoanalytic Approach (Freud)

Flashcards covering key concepts and details from the lecture on Freud's psychoanalytic theory of personality development.

What are the major theories or approaches to development according to the lecture?

1. Psychoanalytic (Freud, Erikson) 2. Learning (Watson, Skinner, Bandura) 3. Cognitive (Piaget) 4. Biological (Ethology, Behavior Genetics, Temperament) 5. Ecological (Bronfenbrenner, Belsky)

What is the classic psychoanalytic theory of Sigmund Freud characterized by?

It is not an empirical theory based on large data or experiments; rather, it is a comprehensive metaphor or model of personality development based on Freud's clinical work.

What are the two powerful biological instincts in Freud's theory of personality?

Eros (life) and Thanatos (death). Eros relates to life-sustaining functions like eating and sex, while Thanatos relates to destructive behaviors like aggression.

What does Freud's concept of personality consist of?

The personality consists of three systems: Id (pleasure principle), Ego (reality principle), and Superego (perfection principle).

What occurs during the phallic stage of psychosexual development?

A boy's sexual desires focus on the mother, leading to hostility toward the father, intense anxiety, repression of the desire, and identification with the father.

What are defense mechanisms in Freud's theory?

Strategies the mind uses to deal with anxiety and unacceptable thoughts. Examples include repression, denial, projection, rationalization, regression, reaction formation, and sublimation.

What was a significant contribution of Freud's work to psychology?

He revolutionized the understanding of human nature, emphasizing the power of the unconscious, the importance of early relationships, and the complex nature of psychological functioning.

What are some criticisms of Freud's psychoanalytic theory?

Problems include lack of objective methods, reliance on case studies, and difficulty in empirical verification, often failing to support the theory.