Week 2 - PSYC231

Psychoanalysis

A theory, mode of investigation, and treatment concerning the mind and human behavior.

Unconscious

The part of the mind that contains drives, memories, and emotions that are not currently accessible or in awareness.

Repression

A defense mechanism that keeps painful aspects of the unconscious or external reality out of awareness.

Transference

The phenomenon where early relational patterns are played out in new relationships, particularly in a therapeutic setting.

Countertransference

The therapist's emotional response to the patient, which can reflect the therapist's own feelings or experiences.

Defense mechanisms

Psychological strategies used to cope with reality and maintain self-image, often emerging during therapy.

Affect

An emotional response that includes feelings, moods, and basic drives; often explored in therapy.

Mentalization

The ability to understand one's own and others' mental states, crucial for effective therapeutic relationships.

Object relations theory

A psychodynamic theory focusing on how interactions between self and others become internalized.

Ego Psychology

A school of thought in psychoanalysis that emphasizes the role of the ego in psychological processes.

Analytic Psychology

A branch of psychology that emphasizes understanding the psyche through the exploration of unconscious elements.

Projective identification

A defense mechanism where one projects their feelings onto another and attempts to make the other feel those feelings.

Attachment Theory

A psychological model that describes the dynamics of long-term relationships between humans, especially between caregivers and children.

Interpretation

The process by which therapists make sense of patients' thoughts and behaviors within the therapeutic context.

Compulsion to repeat

A recurring theme in therapy where individuals unconsciously repeat patterns of behavior and relationships.

Hysteria

A psychological disorder traditionally associated with excessive emotional reactions, often linked to trauma.

Developmental model

A psychological framework that looks at how early interactions and experiences shape later behavior and mental states.

Alfred Adler

A psychologist known for developing individual psychology, which emphasizes the basic human desire to belong and the role of social interest and striving for superiority.

Individual Psychology

Adler's theory that focuses on the individual's inherent desire for community and belonging, as well as the importance of social interest and motivation.

Superiority Complex

A psychological condition where an individual overcompensates for feelings of inferiority, often resulting in manipulative behavior.

Collective Unconscious

A part of Jung's theory that refers to the shared knowledge, instincts, and experiences innate to all human beings, reflected in myths, fantasies, and universal symbols.

Persona

The mask or role one adopts to interact socially, often concealing true feelings and responses.

Basic Anxiety

Karen Horney's concept describing a neurosis that arises from feelings of isolation and helplessness in a potentially hostile world, often rooted in childhood.

Neurotic Needs

Psychological needs that develop in a neurotic personality, including needs for affection, achievement, power, and self-sufficiency.

Womb Envy

Horney's theory that men's drive for achievement is compensatory for their inability to bear children, indicating that women's perceived inferiority is a social construct.

Jungian Personality Types

Categories defining personality traits such as Extraversion and Introversion, emphasizing that both inclinations exist in every individual.

Critiques of Neo-Freudian Theories

Key criticisms include lack of scientific rigor, subjectivity of theories based on clinical case studies, and debates on human agency compared to Freud's biological determinism.