Ch. 9: Basics of Psychoanalysis

Psychic determinism

The assumption that everything psychological has a cause that is, in principle, identifiable

Id

In psychoanalytic theory, the repository of the drives, the emotions, and the primitive, unconscious part of the mind that wants everything now

Ego

In psychoanalytic theory, the relatively rational part of the mind that balances the competing claims of the id, the superego, and reality

Superego

In psychoanalytic theory, the part of the mind that consists of the conscience and the individual’s system of internalized rules of conduct, or morality

Compromise formation

In modern psychoanalytic thought, the main job of the ego, which is to find a compromise among the different structures of the mind and the many different things the individual wants all at the same time. What the individual actually thinks and does is the result of this compromise

Libido

In psychoanalytic theory, the drive toward the creation, nurturing, and enhancement of life (including but not limited to s*x) or the energy stemming from this drive

Thanatos

In psychoanalytic theory, another term for the drive toward death, destruction, and decay

Doctrine of opposites

In psychoanalytic theory, the idea that everything implies or contains its opposite

Oral stage

In psychoanalytic theory, the stage of psychos*xual development, from birth to about 18 months of age, during which the physical focus of the libido is located in the mouth, lips, and tongue

An*l stage

In psychoanalytic thoery, the stage of psychosexual development, from about 18 months to 3 to 4 years of age, in which the physical focus of the libido is located in the anus and associated eliminiative organs

Phallic stage

In psychoanalytic theory, the stage of psychosexual development from about 4 to 7 years of age in which the physical focus of the libido is the p*nis (for boys) and its absence (for girls)

Identification

In psychoanalytic theory, taking on the values and worldview of another person (e.g., a parent)

Genital stage

In psychoanalytic theory, the final stage of psychosexual development, in which the physical focus on the libidio is on the genitals, with an emphasis on heterosexual relationships. The stage begins at about puberty but is only fully attained when and if the individual achieves psychological maturity

Mental health

According to Freud’s definition, the ability to both love and work

Fixation

In psychoanalytic theory, leaving a disproportionate share of one’s libido behind at an earlier stage of development

Regression

In psychoanalytic theory, retreating to an earlier, more immature stage of psychosexual development, usually because of stress but sometimes in the service of play and creativity

Secondary process thinking

In psychoanalytic theory, the term for rational and conscious processes of oridinary thought

Primary process thinking

In psychoanalytic theory, the term for the strange and primitive style of unconscious thinking manifested by the id

Condensation

In psychoanalytic theory, the method of primary process thinking in which several ideas are compressed into one

Symbolization

In psychoanalytic theory, the process of primary process thinking in which one thing stands for another

Conscious mind

The part of the mind’s activities of which one is aware

Preconscious

Thoughts and ideas that temporarily reside just out of consciousness but which can be brought to mind quickly and easily

Unconscious (mind)

Those areas and processes of the mind of which a person is not aware

Defense mechanisms

In psychoanalytic theory, the mechanisms of the ego that serve to protect an indivdual from experiencing anxiety produced by conflicts with the id, superego, or reality

Denial

In psychoanalytic theory, the defense mechanism that allows the mind to deny that a current source of anxiety exists

Repression

In psychoanalytic theory, the defense mechanism that banishes the past from current awareness

Reactoin formation

In psychoanalytic theory, the defense mechanism that keeps an anxiety-producing impulse or thought in check by producing its opposite

Projection

In psychoanalytic theory, the defense mechanism of attributing to somebody else a thought or impulse one fears in oneself

Rationalization

In psychoanalytic theory, the defense mechanism that produces a seemingly logical rationale for an impulse or thought that otherwise would cause anxiety

Intellectualization

In psychoanalytic theory, the defense mechanism by which thoughts that otherwise would cause anxiety are translated into cool, analytic, nonarousing terms

Displacement

In psychoanalytic theory, the defense mechanism that redirects an impulse from a dangerous target to a safe one

Sublimation

In psychoanalytic theory, the defense mechanism that turns otherwise dangerous or anxiety-producing impulses toward constructive ends

Transference

In psychoanalytic theory, the tendency to bring ways of thinking, feeling, and behavior that developed toward one important person into later relationships with different persons