Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Theories

A set of 100 vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Theories.

Psychoanalysis

Freud's theory of personality that attributes thoughts and actions to unconscious motives and conflicts.

Unconscious mind

A reservoir of mostly unacceptable thoughts, wishes, feelings, and memories according to Freud.

Free association

A method in psychoanalysis where the person relaxes and says whatever comes to mind.

Id

The reservoir of unconscious psychic energy striving to satisfy basic sexual and aggressive drives.

Ego

The partly conscious part of personality that mediates among the demands of the id, superego, and reality.

Superego

The partly conscious part of personality that represents internalized ideals and provides standards for judgment.

Defense mechanisms

The ego’s protective methods of reducing anxiety by unconsciously distorting reality.

Repression

The basic defense mechanism that banishes anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories from consciousness.

Regression

Retreating to an earlier psychosexual stage where some psychic energy remains fixated.

Reaction formation

Switching unacceptable impulses into their opposites.

Rationalization

Offering self-justifying explanations in place of the real, more threatening unconscious reasons for one's actions.

Displacement

Shifting sexual or aggressive impulses toward a more acceptable or less threatening object.

Projection

Disguising one's own threatening impulses by attributing them to others.

Sublimation

Transferring of unacceptable impulses into socially valued motives.

Denial

Refusing to believe or even perceive painful realities.

Collective unconscious

Carl Jung's concept of a shared, inherited reservoir of memory traces from our species’ history.

Terror-management theory

A theory of death-related anxiety; people's emotional and behavioral responses to reminders of their impending death.

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

A projective test in which people express their inner feelings through stories they make up about ambiguous scenes.

Rorschach inkblot test

A projective test designed to identify people's inner feelings by analyzing their interpretations of ink blots.

Humanistic theories

Theories that view personality with a focus on the potential for healthy personal growth.

Hierarchy of needs

Maslow's level of human needs, beginning with physiological needs.

Self-actualization

The motivation to fulfill one's potential after basic physical and psychological needs are met.

Self-transcendence

Striving for identity, meaning, and purpose beyond the self.

Unconditional positive regard

A caring, accepting, nonjudgmental attitude believed to help people develop self-awareness.

Self-concept

All our thoughts and feelings about ourselves in response to the question, 'Who am I?'

Psychoanalytic theory

A theory focusing on the influence of the unconscious on personality and behavior.

Childhood experiences

Events during childhood believed to shape personality according to psychodynamic theories.

Psychoanalytic treatment

Freud's method of treating psychological disorders by exposing and interpreting unconscious tensions.

Anxiety

A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.

Psychodynamic theories

Theories that emphasize the interplay of conscious and unconscious forces.

Conscious mind

The aspect of our mind that contains thoughts and feelings of which we are aware.

Preconscious

Thoughts and feelings that are not currently in consciousness but can be accessed.

Therapeutic alliance

The collaborative relationship between therapist and client, crucial for effective treatment.

Dream analysis

A technique in psychoanalysis where dreams are interpreted to uncover unconscious thoughts.

Transference

The process where clients transfer feelings about important figures in their lives onto the therapist.

Resistance

The act of defending against the anxiety associated with accepting unacceptable thoughts.

Insight

The full understanding of one's motivations and the meanings of their behavior in therapy.

Object relations theory

The psychodynamic theory that emphasizes relationships and their influence on self-concept.

Neo-Freudian

Psychologists who worked off Freud's theories but modified them.

Cognitive dissonance

The discomfort experienced when holding conflicting beliefs or attitudes.

Motivational conflict

When one faces two or more competing goals or demands.

Adaptive function

How well a personality or behavior serves to fit one's environment or situation.

Self-defeating behavior

Actions that hinder personal success or fulfillment.

Existential crisis

A moment when an individual questions the very foundations of their life.

Nature vs. nurture

The debate regarding the relative contributions of genetics and environment to human behavior.

Psychological resilience

The ability to adapt and recover from adversities.

Positive psychology

A movement focusing on strengths and well-being rather than pathology.

Autonomy

The ability to make one's own choices and take control of one's life.

Coping mechanisms

Strategies that individuals use to manage stress and navigate challenges.

Social support

Comfort and assistance received from others during stressful times.

Self-efficacy

Belief in one's own ability to succeed in specific situations.

Maturation

The process of development in which an individual's physical and psychological capabilities unfold.

Life scripts

Cultural or familial narratives that shape an individual's identity and behavior.

Empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

Attachment theory

A psychological model describing the dynamics of long-term interpersonal relationships.

Interpersonal neurobiology

The study of how relationships shape the brain and mind.

Mindfulness

A mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment.

Flow state

A mental state of deep focus and immersion in activities.

Self-determination

The process by which a person controls their own life.

Narrative therapy

Therapy centered on understanding and restructuring personal stories.

Cognitive restructuring

A therapeutic process of changing negative thought patterns.

Behavioral modification

The use of behavioral techniques to change undesirable behaviors.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

A therapy that focuses on changing unhelpful cognitive distortions.

Somatic experiencing

A therapeutic approach for healing trauma through bodily awareness.

Psychoeducation

Educational interventions designed to inform individuals about psychological issues.

Support groups

A group of people with common experiences providing mutual support.

Psychological trauma

An emotional response to a distressing event.

Existential therapy

Therapy emphasizing personal responsibility and the search for meaning.

Relational development

The process of forming and evolving relationships.

Crisis intervention

Immediate support provided in response to a crisis.

Narrative identity

The internalized and evolving story of the self.

Symbolic interactionism

A sociological perspective focusing on the meanings individuals ascribe to social interactions.

Autobiographical memory

A form of memory that involves recollection of personal experiences and significant events.