psychodynamic theories

Personality

Enduring patterns of thought, feeling, motivation, and behavior that are expressed in different circumstances and diffrentiante one person from another .

Theory

Well-tested, evidenced based explanation of how or why something works.

Psychodynamic theory

First comprehensive theory of personality.

Developed by Sigmund Freud.

Conscious

Rational, goal-directed thoughts at the center of awareness.

Preconscious

Not conscious but could be at any point.

Unconscious

Irrational, organized along associative lines rather than by logic.

Defense Mechanisms

Unconscious mental process aimed at protecting the person from unpleasant emotions.

Denial

Refusing to acknowledge external realities or emotions.

Repression

Keeping thoughts or memories that would be too threating to acknowledge from awareness.

Regression

Reverting to behaviors emotions or thoughts characteristic of an earlier stage of development.

Displacement

Redirecting one’s feelings toward another person or object that’s less threatening

Projection

Attributing own unacknowledged feelings or impulses to others .

Rationalization

Explaining away actions in a seemingly logical way to avoid uncomfortable feelings.

Reaction formation

Turing unacceptable feelings into their opposites.

Sublimation

Converting negative or aggressive impulses into socially acceptable activities.

Passive Aggression

Indirect expression of anger toward others.

Id

Weak ego, impulsive, lacks self control

Superego

Total control, perfectionistic, judgmental, plagued by guilt.

Ego

Healthy, lives w reality