Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Theories

Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Theories

• Psychoanalysis: Freud's therapeutic method emphasizing unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences.

• Unconscious: A reservoir of thoughts, desires, and memories not within conscious awareness.

• Free Association: Speaking freely to uncover unconscious thoughts and feelings.

• Sigmund Freud: Founder of psychoanalysis; emphasized unconscious motives and psychosexual development.

• Id: The primitive part of the mind focused on immediate gratification.

• Ego: The rational part of the mind balancing the id and superego.

• Superego: The moral conscience, internalizing societal norms.

• Psychosexual Stages: Developmental stages (oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital) where the id's focus shifts to different erogenous zones.

• Oedipus Complex: A child's unconscious desire for the opposite-sex parent and jealousy of the same-sex parent.

• Identification: Adopting traits and values of the same-sex parent to resolve the Oedipus complex.

• Fixation: Lingering focus on a psychosexual stage due to unresolved conflicts.

• Defense Mechanisms: Unconscious methods to reduce anxiety:

  • Regression: Returning to earlier behaviors.

  • Reaction Formation: Acting opposite to true feelings.

  • Projection: Attributing one’s feelings to others.

  • Rationalization: Justifying behaviors with logical explanations.

  • Displacement: Redirecting impulses to a safer target.

  • Sublimation: Channeling impulses into productive activities.

  • Denial: Refusing to accept reality.

Psychodynamic Theories

• Psychodynamic Theories: Modern approaches building on Freud, emphasizing unconscious motives and early relationships.

• Alfred Adler: Developed Individual Psychology, focusing on the conscious mind, social influences, and individual uniqueness.

  • Inferiority Complex: Feelings of inadequacy that motivate behavior.

  • Striving for Superiority: The drive for personal growth and overcoming inferiority.

  • Social Interest: Emphasized community contribution and relationships.

  • Birth Order: Suggested family roles influence personality traits.

  • Holistic Approach: Viewed individuals as unified, goal-directed beings.

  • Lifestyle: Personal goals shaped by early experiences.

  • Early Memories: Recollections provide insight into life goals.

• Karen Horney: Focused on cultural and social influences on personality.

  • Neurotic Needs: Identified 10 needs, such as for affection or power, to cope with anxiety.

  • Basic Anxiety: Stemming from feelings of helplessness and isolation.

  • Coping Strategies:

    • Moving Toward: Seeking affection and approval.

    • Moving Against: Seeking power and control.

    • Moving Away: Withdrawing to avoid intimacy.

  • Rejection of Freud: Criticized Freud’s theories, especially "penis envy."

  • Self-Image: Emphasized self-realization and a healthy self-concept.

• Carl Jung: Focused on the collective unconscious and personality types.

  • Collective Unconscious: Shared unconscious with universal memories and archetypes.

  • Archetypes: Universal symbols like the Self, Shadow, and Anima/Animus.

  • Individuation: Integrating conscious and unconscious elements to achieve wholeness.

  • Introversion/Extraversion: Personality orientations toward the inner or external world.

  • Psychological Types: Four functions: thinking, feeling, sensing, and intuition.

Assessment Methods

• Thematic Apperception Test (TAT): Participants create stories about ambiguous images to reveal inner motives.

• Rorschach Inkblot Test: Participants interpret inkblots, revealing unconscious feelings.

Additional Concepts

• False Consensus Effect: Overestimating how much others share our beliefs and behaviors.

• Terror-Management Theory: Examines how fear of death influences self-esteem and behavior.

Humanistic Theories

• Humanistic Theories: Focus on personal growth, free will, and self-fulfillment.

• Abraham Maslow: Developed the hierarchy of needs, emphasizing self-actualization.

  • Hierarchy of Needs: A pyramid of human needs, from basic survival to self-actualization and self-transcendence.

  • Self-Actualization: Achieving one’s full potential.

  • Self-Transcendence: Finding meaning beyond oneself.

• Carl Rogers: Emphasized self-concept and unconditional positive regard.

  • Unconditional Positive Regard: Accepting others without judgment.

  • Self-Concept: Perception of oneself.

Trait Theories

• Trait Theories: Focus on stable personality traits influencing behavior.

• Trait: A consistent pattern of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors.

• Personality Inventory: A questionnaire assessing personality traits.

• Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI): Widely used clinical personality test.

• Empirically Derived Tests: Tests developed using research to differentiate groups.

• Big Five Factors: Core traits—openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism.

• Person-Situation Controversy: Debate over whether behavior is influenced more by personality or environment.

Social Cognitive Theories

• Social Cognitive Perspective: Explores how personality is influenced by traits, thoughts, and social context.

• Behavioral Approach: Focuses on learned behaviors shaped by the environment.

• Reciprocal Determinism: The interaction between behavior, environment, and personal factors.

• Kruger-Dunning Effect: People with low ability overestimate their competence.

Exploring the Self

• Self: The center of personality, encompassing thoughts and feelings about oneself.

• Spotlight Effect: Overestimating how much others notice us.

• Self-Esteem: Overall sense of self-worth.

• Self-Efficacy: Belief in one’s ability to succeed.

• Self-Serving Bias: Tendency to perceive oneself favorably.

• Narcissism: Excessive self-focus and self-love.

• Individualism: Prioritizing personal goals over group goals.

Collectivism: Prioritizing group goals over personal goals.